About
Fair Head is a cliff headland on the north coast of Northern Ireland, in the United Kingdom. It is one of the most dramatic cliff faces on the island of Ireland, rising about 200 metres straight out of the sea.
What to see
The cliff is known for its columnar basalt formations, the same kind of rock that gives the nearby Giant's Causeway its well-known shape. Standing at the edge, you look down on the water and across to Rathlin Island and the Scottish coast beyond, a view that makes the scale of the drop easy to feel.
For walkers and climbers
- The clifftop plateau offers good terrain for walking, with wide views in every direction.
- The sheer rock face draws rock climbers from many countries, who come to test themselves on its challenging routes.
- The exposed edges call for care, so keep well back from the drop and take notice of the weather, which can change quickly on a headland like this.
Fair Head suits visitors who enjoy wild coastal scenery and fresh air more than polished attractions. Come for the cliffs, the sea and the open views, and allow time to take them in slowly.
The headland sits in an area of the north coast that rewards a wider look, with the Giant's Causeway and the other coastal landscapes nearby, so a visit here can easily be part of a longer day exploring this stretch of Northern Ireland.
