With their penguin-like appearance and endearing behaviors, Atlantic puffins in Ireland attract wildlife enthusiasts and photographers from around the world. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about puffins in Ireland including where to find them, when to see them, and why they’re an essential part of Ireland’s natural heritage.
About Atlantic Puffins
Ireland is home to a number of significant Atlantic Puffin colonies. These remarkable seabirds capture hearts across the North Atlantic in places like Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland and Canada. They have several distinctive features that make them easy to identify in coastal climates:
- Size: Puffins stand approximately 20 cm (8 inches) tall
- Wingspan: Typically between 47-63 cm (18-25 inches)
- Distinctive features: Black and white body plumage creates a tuxedo-like appearance, bright orange webbed feet with sharp claws, and their most famous attribute – a triangular beak striped with vibrant orange, yellow, and blue (most colorful during breeding season)
Atlantic puffins are often described as resembling a cross between a penguin and a toucan, which coincidentally and appropriately is also the mascot for Ireland’s beer of choice, Guinness.
Life Cycle of Atlantic Puffins in Ireland
Puffins in Ireland follow a predictable annual cycle that influences when and where you can spot them:
- March/April: Puffins return to Irish coastal colonies from the open ocean
- May/June: Peak breeding season (optimal time to observe puffins in Ireland)
- July/August: Puffins depart Irish shores, returning to life at sea
- Winter months: Puffins spend this time far out in the North Atlantic, often in solitude, until the next breeding season
A fascinating aspect of Atlantic puffins is their nesting site fidelity – they typically return to the exact same breeding colony where they were born. Breeding pairs are monogamous, and lay just one egg per season after burrowing into soft cliff-top soil or sometimes abandoned rabbit holes. The chicks, called “pufflings,” remain in these burrows for approximately 40 days before they depart for the open ocean.
Fun Facts About Puffins in Ireland
- Impressive divers: Atlantic puffins can dive up and swim up to 60 meters deep in search of food
- Remarkable hunters: They can carry sometimes more than a dozen small fish in their beaks at a time
- Long-lived: Puffins can live up to 30 years in the wild
- Amazing travelers: Tagged puffins from Ireland have been found off the coast of Canada just two weeks after leaving Irish shores
- Movie stars: Puffins in Ireland’s Skellig Michael colony were digitally transformed into “porgs” during filming for the Star Wars movies
Where to See Puffins in Ireland
Ireland has several prime puffin watching locations during breeding season:
1. Great Saltee Island, County Wexford
The Saltee Islands are one of the few east coast locations to see puffins in Ireland. These privately owned, virtually uninhabited islands provide ideal habitat for puffins and other seabirds. We recently visited the Saltee Islands to see the puffins and documented details of our journey, including how to get there and when to go, for our Youtube channel in the informational video found below.
2. Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
Unlike many locations, puffins in Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher are actually increasing in number. With over 60,000 birds nesting here, this accessible site offers some of the best opportunities to observe puffins in Ireland. Pro tip: The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, but puffins are often best spotted with binoulars from sea level aboard one of the Aran Island ferries.
3. Rathlin Island, County Antrim
Located off the Causeway Coast in the North, Rathlin Island features a dedicated puffin sanctuary, making it one of the top spots for observing puffins in Ireland’s northern region. While in the area, stop by the Bushmill’s distillery, test your wits on the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, and learn of the legend of Giant’s Causeway.
4. Skellig Islands, County Kerry
The Skellig Islands host one of the most famous colonies of puffins in Ireland. Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site located off the coast of County Kerry, gained fame as a Star Wars filming location. This area around Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula is also home to the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland’s most stunning road trip routes. Along the Ring of Kerry you’ll also find Kerry Dark Sky Reserve, Europe’s only gold tier Dark Sky park; Ireland’s first national park, Killarney National Park; andPáirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s newest national park and first marine national park.
5. Clare Island, County Mayo
County Mayo’s Clew Bay, home of Grace O’Malley the Pirate Queen, is speckled with dozens of rugged islands. One of which, Clare Island, is accessible by private charter and home to one of Ireland’s most remote Atlantic puffin colonies. The nearby town of Westport, a major highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way, is a vibrant little town worth checking out. And don’t forget to make the trip out to the ultra-remote Achill Island, filming location of the Banshees of Inisherin and popular spot for spotting basking sharks.
Tips for Watching Puffins in Ireland
If you’re planning to see puffins in Ireland, keep these tips in mind:
- Timing is essential: Plan your visit between May and July for the best chance of spotting puffins in Ireland
- Bring binoculars: Puffins in Ireland are often found on cliff edges or out at sea
- Book boat tours early: Especially for popular puffin watching spots like the Skellig Islands where access is limited
- Be patient and respectful: Maintain distance and avoid disturbing nesting puffins in Ireland
- Check weather conditions: Boat trips to offshore colonies of puffins in Ireland can be canceled due to rough seas
Best Times to Photograph Puffins in Ireland
For photographers seeking to capture images of puffins in Ireland, timing your visit is crucial:
- Late May to early July: Prime time for photographing puffins in Ireland with peak activity
- Early morning or evening light: Provides the best natural lighting for photographing puffins in Ireland
- Overcast Days: Excellent conditions for detailed close-up shots
Puffins in Ireland, with their striking appearance, clumsy behaviors, and spectacular coastal habitats, are one of the most memorable ways to experience Ireland’s incredible biodiversity. If you have the opportunity to visit Ireland during puffin season, make time to seek out these remarkable birds. Not only will you witness one of nature’s most delightful spectacles, but you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of conserving Atlantic puffin habitats for future generations to enjoy.
