Carrigaholt at the Mouth of the River Shannon on the Loop Head Peninsula is part of the unique habitat which is home to Ireland's only resident group of over 120 bottlenose dolphins.

Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt, which offers dolphin and nature boat trips, pioneered dolphin watching in the Shannon and provides a unique opportunity to experience the magic of dolphins and other aspects of this remarkable marine habitat. Shoals of fish are drawn into the Shannon by strong tidal currents to feed the dolphins, seals and seabirds.

Sea cliffs rise abruptly west of Carrigaholt and the cliff ledges provide nesting sites for a large variety of seabirds. In fact, the Loop Head Peninsula is one of Europe's Premier Bird Watching areas, where rare breeds of pelagic seabirds can often be seen.

The caves and stony beaches offer refuge for grey seals and wild goats graze the steep grassy slopes.