Satellite captures the sunny southwest
The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite captured this clear snapshot of southwest Ireland just before midday on Tuesday.
A detailed view of Castlemaine Harbour reveals the Maine and Laune rivers flowing into the harbour, with Inch Beach stretching along its edge.
Situated at the head of Dingle Bay, the harbour is sheltered from the open sea by a vast system of dunes.
This diverse environment of saltmarshes, mudflats, and sandbanks supports a variety of wintering waterbirds, including internationally significant populations of the pale-bellied brent goose.
Castlemaine Harbour is also a key site for oyster, mussel, and clam farming, boasting Ireland’s largest natural mussel bed.
