The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland

EXAMPLES OF CONSERVATION AREAS
Living with Nature: The Designation of Nature Conservation Sites in Ireland
SPECIAL AREAS 3: Hook Head
pg 13
Hook Head SAC is an area of marine subtidal reefs to
the south and east of the Hook Head Peninsula and
includes the sea cliffs from Hook Head to Baginbun and
Ingard Point. The site adjoins the estuary mouth of
Bannow Bay. Hook Head itself is internationally
important for fossils. The site contains two habitats
listed under the EU Habitats Directive, i.e. reefs and sea
cliffs.
The reefs around Hook Head have excellent examples of
tideswept communities and species richness is high in both the
shallow and deep-water communities. The latter is characterised
by cushion sponges, with branching sponges and the rose
‘coral’ Pentapora foliacea. In addition the sponge Stryphnus
ponderosa, the sea squirts Sidnym elegans, Distomus
variolosus and Stolonica socialis and the brittlestar Amphiura
securigera are present. These species have a limited distribution
in Ireland. The rare red algae Schixymenia dubyi also occurs.
The rocky shorelines and vegetated sea cliffs are characterised
by species such as Thrift, Rock Samphire, Rock Sea-lavender,
Sea Plantain, Buck's Horn Plantain, Rock Sea-spurrey and Sea
Mayweed. The cliffs and headlands are also of ornithological
interest for breeding Choughs, Ravens and Peregrines, and as a
landfall for migrants.