In 1885, the Royal Dublin Golf Club was established on the island, followed by St Anne’s Golf Club in 1927. Dollymount beach was also formed and became one of Dublin’s most popular beaches.
z„
The island was declared a bird sanctuary in the 1930s, with up to 180 different bird species being recorded there. Over 300 species of plants have been recorded, including some rare and officially protected species.
z„
A visitor and interpretative centre was built there in 1986. The centre has a lecture theatre, a natural history museum and an aquarium. You can view the exhibits and use a telescope to birdwatch.
Negative impacts z„
z„
Littering by visitors to North Bull Island can damage the natural vegetation and wildlife.
Human activity has an impact on the sand dunes, with people trampling the marram grass designed to keep the dunes stable.
z„
Cars driving on the beach can cause sand to become compacted, meaning that less sand can be blown by the wind for sand-dune building.
1. Explain why the North and South Bull walls needed to be constructed? 2. What caused North Bull Island to form in its current location? 3. Discuss two positive impacts of the creation of North Bull Island. 4. Look at the map below. Draw your own sketch of North Bull Island into your copy. You must include the following items in your sketch and key: z„
North Bull Wall
z„St Anne’s Golf Club Dollymount Beach Interpretative centre
z„ z„
z„ z„
Sand dunes
One species of plant and animal that can be found on North Bull Island.
