The blue skies and sunshine in these photos belie the fact that they were taken on Bertra Strand in late December. The top picture shows Clare Island on the horizon. Recent scientific studies have shown that a land-bridge connected the island to the mainland c.7000 years ago, but it was inundated with water when the sea levels rose dramatically after the ice-age.

The lower photo shows drowned drumlins in Clew Bay formed at the end of the ice-age.

Clare Island in Clew Bay.

Drumlins near Bertra.

 Mayo Historical and Archaeological Society

© Copyright 2006 by the author(s)/photographer(s) and www.castlebar.ie

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