Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Saquon Barkley Plaque
Kirkkasik Bedesten inside
Kirkkasik Bedesten
Someshwar Temple
Someshwar Temple
Grilled cheese and tomato soup are soulmates.
The Palisades Restaurant
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
A skeleton on display contemplating its own mortality.
Kid Mai Death Awareness Cafe
This classic London pub has a surprising history behind it.
John Snow
The beef, Guinness, and oyster pie sports a rich, flaky crust.
The Guinea
Welcome to one of the only floating pubs in the world.
Tamesis Dock
This may be the oldest pie in the world.
St Helens 'Oldest Pie' at The Turks Head
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Decoy’s wines reflect the terroir of California.
How a Wooden Duck Migrated From the California Wetlands to a Wine Label
12 days ago
There’s more to the French capital than the Eiffel Tower.
Dear Atlas: What Are Some Non-Touristy Things to Do in Paris?
15 days ago
The plants around Liz Dauncey in this photo are not poisonous, but many common garden and houseplants are.
Are Some of Your Favorite Houseplants Poisonous? AO Wants to Know.
22 days ago
“There may be a collective sense of a dark loneliness,” Dahl says, referring to Norway’s natural landscape.
In Norway, Easter Means Tucking Into Crime Stories
22 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Ireland Ross Bridges of Ross

Bridges of Ross

This natural sea arch highlights Ireland's rugged coastal beauty.

Ross, Ireland

Added By
Siobhán Cullen
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Bridges of Ross.   Carnsoreboxer / Atlas Obscura User
Bridges of Ross.   Carnsoreboxer / Atlas Obscura User
Bridges of Ross.   Carnsoreboxer / Atlas Obscura User
Spectacular West Clare.   Carnsoreboxer / Atlas Obscura User
  adlundblad / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Wild Atlantic Way   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  adlundblad / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

This lone sea arch is rugged West Clare at its best. The top of the structure is blanketed by a verdant layer of grass. Below, wind-whipped water thrashes against the cliffs.

Though the name implies multiple bridges, there’s actually only one. Originally, the area boasted three incredible natural sea arches. But after centuries of erosion—the very same phenomenon that created the geological features—two of them crumbled into the sea below, leaving one surviving bridge.

You can’t see the natural bridge from the road, but it’s worth the short trek along the cliffs. It’s a fantastic spot to watch the wild Atlantic Ocean. With the sun at your back, you can watch the waves churn toward the shore beneath a seemingly endless expanse of sky.

If you’re a keen birder, you’ll definitely want to turn your eyes skyward, as the Bridges of Ross is a great spot for birdwatching. During the autumn migration, thousands of seabirds fly close to the shore during their southward travels. Keep an eye out for species like Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrels, Little Auks, and more.

Related Tags

Bridges Rock Formations Natural Wonders Birds Animals Nature

Know Before You Go

There's a free car park with picnic tables. Don’t do what most visitors do—walk to the cliff, take a few pictures, and then return to the car. You have to follow the path around the cliff to see the bridge.

Wear suitable walking shoes and be prepared for rain or wind.

Community Contributors

Added By

Carnsoreboxer

Edited By

SEANETTA, adlundblad

  • SEANETTA
  • adlundblad

Published

September 19, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/bridges-of-ross/91787
  • https://www.wildatlanticway.com/plan-your-trip/clare/eat-drink-nightlife/cafes-restaurants/details/bridges-of-ross
  • http://www.clarebirdwatching.com/archives/512
Bridges of Ross
Ross
Ireland
52.591257, -9.873071
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Me Little Brudder Memorial

Creeragh, Ireland

miles away

'The Colleen Bawn' Bust

Tiervarna, Ireland

miles away

St. Brigid's Well

Clare, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ireland

Ireland

Europe

Places 201
Stories 37

Nearby Places

Me Little Brudder Memorial

Creeragh, Ireland

miles away

'The Colleen Bawn' Bust

Tiervarna, Ireland

miles away

St. Brigid's Well

Clare, Ireland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ireland

Ireland

Europe

Places 201
Stories 37

Related Places

  • Rock formations of Hamelin Bay.

    Hamelin Bay, Australia

    Hamelin Bay Beach

    Incredible rock formations jut from the southern end of this spectacular stingray-viewing spot.

  • Woods Bay State Park

    Olanta, South Carolina

    Woods Bay State Park

    This natural wonderland is a unique chance to explore a Carolina bay, a mysterious geological formation of unknown origin.

  • Elephants within the park.

    Udawalawa, Sri Lanka

    Udawalawe National Park

    Huge herds of Asian elephants can be seen walking, bathing, and just chilling at this Sri Lankan park.

  • From here it looks like a cave, but guess what? It’s a bridge.

    Pine, Arizona

    Tonto Natural Bridge

    The largest natural travertine bridge in the world is nestled in a small canyon in central Arizona.

  • Soda and algae formations near the shore of Lake Natron.

    Monduli, Tanzania

    Lake Natron

    A salty red wasteland in Tanzania is a breeding spot for endangered flamingos.

  • Dad and three juveniles on the PG&E building. Photo by brothergrimm on Flickr.

    San Francisco, California

    San Francisco's Peregrine Falcons

    Recovered from the brink of extinction, at home in the Financial District.

  • London, England

    Pelicans of St James's Park

    Giant, friendly pelicans in Central London, the most unlikely of places.

  • Murphy, Idaho

    Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

    Rare and gorgeous birds abound in this protected wildlife sanctuary.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.