North Eastern Atlantic

The Atlantic west of Kerry meets a coast of long peninsulas and deep bays. The Dingle and Iveragh peninsulas reach out toward the ocean, with the Blasket Islands beyond the western end of Dingle. Ships approaching Ireland from the west encounter these exposed shores before finding shelter in an inlet or continuing toward the Shannon. Wind and swell shape the passage, while islands and headlands provide the landmarks by which sailors can distinguish one stretch of coast from another.