Fastnet Rock

Fastnet Rock, or simply Fastnet (possibly from Old Norse: Hvasstann-ey meaning "sharp-tooth isle"; called Carraig Aonair, meaning "lonely rock", in Irish) is a small islet in the Atlantic Ocean and the most southerly point of Ireland. It lies 6.5 kilometres (4.0 mi) southwest of Cape Clear Island and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) from County Cork on the Irish mainland. Due to its location, Fastnet was known as 'Ireland's Teardrop' because it was the last part of the island that Irish emigrants would see as they sailed to the United States in the 19th century.

Fastnet Rock is a small clay-slate islet with quartz veins. It rises to about 30 metres (98 ft) above low water mark and is separated from the much smaller southern Little Fastnet by a 10 metres (33 ft) wide channel. Fastnet also gives its name to the sea area used by the Shipping Forecasts on BBC's Radio 4.

Fastnet Rock is used as the midpoint of one of the world's classic offshore yachting races, the Fastnet Race, a 1,126 kilometres (700 mi) round trip from Cowes on the Isle of Wight, round the rock and back to Plymouth. It is also sometimes used as a mark for yacht races from local sailing centres such as Schull and Baltimore.