
Satellite image of 'Killary Harbour'
'Killary Harbour' / 'An Caoláire Rua' is Ireland's only "
fjord". It is disputed that it was actually formed by
glaciers. It forms a partial border between counties
Galway and
Mayo. It is 16 kilometres long and in the centre it is over 45 metres deep.
On its northern shore lies the mountain of
Mweelrea, 817 metres high. Directly opposite, on the southern, Galway side and near the mouth of the fjord, lies the hamlet of
Rossroe and the former An Óige youth hostel, now disused. This building was itself converted and extended for the purpose and was formerly a modest house which was used by
Ludwig Wittgenstein, the famous philosopher, as a quiet place to write shortly after World War II. A plaque to this effect was unveiled by President
Mary Robinson in 1993. Nearby lies the so-called 'Green Road', a rough road running along the side of the fjord back east towards
Leenane at the head of the fjord. It stretches for approximately nine kilometres and was part of the famine relief program during the 19th century.
Aquaculture is important locally with a salmon farm based at
Rossroe while
mussel rafts are a common site more to the east.

View of Killary Harbour on the way to
Leenaun