A DAY by the seaside is the perfect way to begin your summer - and this tiny island off the coast of Wexford could make for the most spectacular day out.
The breathtaking Saltee Islands are just a two-hour drive from Dublin - and completely worth the journey.
The Saltee Islands are located just 5km off Kilmore Quay in Co Wexford - and a 20 minute ferry trip is all it takes to get there.
Parking is available at Kilmore Harbour in the free public car park.
However, the little harbour is a busy spot in the summer months.
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Visitors are advised to leave plenty of time to arrive to Kilmore Quay as parking spaces can be limited.
The ferry service picks visitors up at the top of the harbour in Kilmore Quay, beside the boat launching slip.
This brings visitors straight to the Great Saltee, as permission to visit the Little Saltee can not be granted due to the hazardous landing conditions.
But you can only visit the island between certain hours daily.
Day visitors are allowed on the island between 11am and 4.30pm, and anyone landing on a boat outside these times will be asked to leave.
FERRY-EXCITING
The popular Saltee Ferry is a daily service which runs from April through to October every year.
A return ticket is €30 for adults, and €15 for children under 12.
Each ferry can carry up to 12 passengers at a time.
Visitors are advised to arrive at the ferry gate 10 minutes before the trip.
A smaller transfer boat will meet the ferry just off the shore of the island.
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This picks passengers up and brings them on the rest of the journey to the Great Saltee.
Once you arrive, you will be given approximately three and a half hours to explore the mesmerising island.
The ferry crew will give you an exact time to be back at the landing area to return to Kilmore Quay.
The ferry trip can be booked in advance online at salteeferry.com.
PUFFIN' FANTASTIC
The Saltee Islands are known as the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland - and puffin-watching is a must on your trip to the island.
The puffin season is predominantly between May and June.
There are plenty to be spotted so make sure to take lots of pictures.
One visitor revealed: "The trip of a lifetime. There were hundreds of puffins just a short stroll from the boat. If you sit quietly they'll wander around you."
But Discover Ireland chiefs have warned that the puffin population is in a dangerous position, and visitors are advised to keep their distance to avoid any disturbance to the wonderful birds.
As well as the magnificent puffins, the island also nurtures an array of seabirds, from gannets and gulls to manx shearwaters.
SEAL YA LATER
While exploring the picturesque island, you might come across some friendly sea creatures.
Grey seals are known to breed around the Saltee Islands.
This is one of the very few places in eastern Ireland with a seal population.
Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually.
The seals can regularly be spotted resting on the rocks of the island.
ANCIENT ISLAND
The Saltee Islands are one of the most ancient islands in Europe.
As long ago as 3,500 to 2,000BC, there were people on the islands.
In December 1943, the Saltees were purchased privately by the late Prince Michael the First.
Since his death in January 1998, the islands are now owned by his five sons and one daughter.
Permission for people to visit the island were granted by the family in recent years - but it's asked that all visitors respect the island.
When the family is in residence on the island, a flag will be flying at the house - which visitors are asked not to approach.
No one is allowed to stay or camp at the historic spot, but there is no admission fee for a day trip to the island.
But island chiefs have a major warning for visitors: "Please do not approach the nesting birds closer than six metres.
"The footfall is having a devastating effect on the bird population. Should visitors see photographers not obeying the signs please explain to them that they are killing the birds and to use their lens instead of their feet.
"If things do not improve with the bird population due to the current footfall we will be forced to close the island to visitors."
