The Saltee Island have a long history of human activity and settlement dating all the way to the late Mesolithic period. Late Mesolithic and Neolithic flint tools have been found on Great Saltee Island. The islands were on the sea route between the Norse ports of Waterford and Wexford. The location of the Saltee Islands, led to it being the scene of naval battles and skirmishes on a number of occasions.
The island is made of granite older than 400 million years formed during the Caledonian mountaing building event. It is an important breeding ground for fulmar, gannet, shag, kittiwake, guillemot, raxorbill, puffin and grey seal. The island has reefs, sea cliffs and sea caves. An ogham stone found on the island suggests that there was an early church on the site.
The island was surveyed in February 2021 using a SenseFly eBee plus with a S.O.D.A. camera flown at 100m with a ground sampling distance of 2.5 cm. Great Saltee lies 5 km off the Wexford coast near to Kilmore Quay and is a private island.
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