A large section of the coastal cliff of Mount Brandon in Co Kerry has fallen into the sea.
The landslide, at uninhabited Sauce Creek (“An Sás”), between Brandon Head and Brandon Point, was continuing yesterday.
There have been no reports of injuries, but there are fears more rock slides may occur. The area is used by lobster fishermen and leisure craft passing between Tralee Bay and Dingle.
Valentia coastguard station said it had received reports in the morning from sea traffic about “rocks off Brandon”, and it was investigating. In recent weeks, locals who climbed Mount Brandon said they had noticed rock falls and small landslides.
Most of Kerry’s coastline is “soft” and subject to erosion. Five years ago, 1km of the road slipped into the sea at Slea Head. Dramatic erosion has occurred at Inch and Rossbeigh sandspit.
Of Kerry’s 684km coastline, 378km is soft and subject to erosion. Its upland areas are also vulnerable because of their large coverings of peat. Landslides and erosion are accelerated during high rainfall, such as has been experienced this month.
Some €30 million would be needed to address the coastal erosion problem in Kerry alone, according to council estimates.