Ardmore Memory and Story - The Sea

The sea shows its immense power from time to time. There has been much coastal erosion in the area with two schools, a coastguard station and two roads being swept away. Incidentally as a result of erosion the Ardmore Crannóg made a brief appearance in 1879, long enough to have it measured and documented by R. Ussher. The building of the storm wall early in the 20th century with various additions at different times since curtailed the erosion.

In Whiting Bay, havoc has been wrought with two houses Jameson and Byrons being swept away in mid century and also a road and a bridge.

In 1997 a large aperture was made by the sea under the promenade in Ardmore, and this extended under part of the road but the sea wall remained in tact on top, the sign of this depradation can clearly be seen still.

Over the years Jimmie Rooney has noticed certain indications of bad weather. Seeing seals under the storm wall or fairly near the shore is a sign of bad weather; the sea 'walloping' against the old parish cliffs is another bad sign as distinct from having a pencil line between the sea and cliffs. Occasionally when fishing out towards Ardmore Head the sound of the Angelus Bell ringing in Old Parish was audible and that too was a bad sign. "Whiting Bay roaring and bawling" was another indication of stormy weather as were the sounds from Carraig Aodha i.e. the rock between Curragh and Ballyquin strands.

Jimmie foretells the time when the sea will again regain its former course and sweep over to Whiting Bay making Ardmore an Island once again as it was in the time of Declan. I think however, both Jimmie and I will be at rest beside the Round Tower long before then.

Author: Siobhan Lincoln