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Malin Head (Irish: Cionn Mhálanna) is the most northerly headland of the mainland of Ireland (and of Ulster. It is not in Northern Ireland, though more northerly than any part of it.) The most northerly point is actually a headland 2 km northeast of Malin Head, Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal. It lies at latitude 55.38ºN. Malin Head gives its name to the Malin sea area.
The weather station at Malin Head (built 1955) is an important element of the Irish meteorological service Met Éireann, providing weather reports. and plays its part in the official Weather Forecasts. The Irish Marine Emergency Service, based at the radio station, has a major role in the safety of life at sea.
Banba's Crown on Malin Head is Ireland's most northerly point.Banba was one of the mythical queens of Ireland. Banba's Crown is about 16 km (10mi) north of the village of Malin.
A tall derelict building known locally as "The Tower" was built here in 1802 by the Admiralty, and later used as a Lloyds signal station. During the Second World War, the small huts were built and used by the Irish Defence Forces to keep a lookout and protect Irish Neutrality. Marconi Wireless built a radio station beside the tower in 1910. Many years later, this was relocated to its present site some miles away, which is now operated by the Irish Coast Guard. To the north-east can be seen Inistrahull Island. Its first lighthouse was put into operation in 1813, and its light flashes every 30 seconds.
Below Banba's Crown to the east lies Ballyhillion beach, a unique raised beach system of international scientific importance[citation needed]. The very distinct shorelines show the changing relationship between the sea and the land from the time the glaciers began to melt, some 15,000 years ago. At that time County Donegal was depressed by the weight of an immense ice sheet, so the level of the sea, relative to today's shore, was up to 80 feet higher than today.