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History of the Harbour in Kilmore
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centuries visitors to Kilmore Quay would be impressed by
the rows of beautifully thatched houses. These overlooked
a natural harbour with the Saltee Island in the distance.
Many of the inhabitants were very involved in fishing the
waters around the rocky coasts. In 1847, during the time
of the great famine, the first stage of the main harbour
wall was built. It was extended again in 1883. It remained
more or less the same for nearly one hundred years till
1970 when it was further extended. |
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In 1896 the harbour suffered very
severe damage when hit by hurricane force winds on 7th October.
Most of the boats were destroyed and many houses were damaged.
Two plucky men saved the lightship boat, which had been held
by four anchors, three of which broke in the storm. As a result
50 men were out of work. However, within a week a committee
was set up to raise money. The response was magnificent and
the fishing fleet was rebuilt.
As a commercial port it was engaged in importing coal from Wales
in the early twentieth century. Five coal yards were set up
in the area. This work ceased in 1939, but fishing continued
to the present day.
In 1970 it suffered more severe damage
with serious storm in February of that year. In he following
September three water spouts appeared and slowly travelled from
the Saltee Islands towards the Quay before disappearing.
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Empty
harbour during construction (February 1995)
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The first major extension of the last century began in
1970. This was due to the efforts of the Fisherman's Co-op
which was founded in 1955. The harbour wall was extended
and protected with a large number of specially made large
stone quadrupods.
More was needed as the port's business grew. The development
of the Harbour was necessary because of congestion and
the fact that the Harbour could only be entered at half
tide. In the early nineties an ambitious plan was put
into operation.
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This Harbour re-development project
got under way in July 1994 and a month later was closed to all
fishing and pleasure boats, with the understanding that it would
be reopened by the end of 1994. It took nearly three years for
the dream to be realised.
The fishing fleet had to operate from Dunmore East, Waterford
and Rosslare, which caused much hardship to all involved.
The work was enormous. It involved deepening the existing berthage
to 7 metres, filling in the old slipway, building a new one
and building a completely new quay on the east side of the harbour.
A magnificent ice plant was built on this, could produce 40
tons of ice per day and store up to 70 tons.
Looking towards the East Pier |
The work carried out by the Department of the Marine
created quite a number of jobs, which were very welcome.
The large area west of the harbour caters for about forty
vehicles, with a separate parking area for fishermen.
The large amount of stonework around the east pier has
added to the character of the village. The very popular
new yacht marina in the inner area of the harbour was
an added facility with berthing for upwards of 55 yachts.
Each year since it opened it has been awarded the Blue
flag.
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The Wexford County Council has invested
heavily in the project, which also has considerable tourism
potential for the area. But most important, however, will be
the number of new jobs which will be created in the catching
and processing of fish in the area. May 29th, 1997 was a real
red-letter day in the ongoing development of the fishing industry
in Kilmore Quay. A spark that was lit with the forming of a
fishermen's co-op in 1955 finally burst into a flame with the
opening of the new harbour that will hopefully light up the
future for the local community.
The official opening was performed
by the then Minister for the Environment, Brendan Howlin, who
described the project as a "landmark development"
for the area. "The facilities being opened here will greatly
enhance fishery activities in the area. There can be no doubting
the enormous benefits which they will also have on the local
economy," the minister stated.
A new Harbour Master, Lieutenant Commander Aidan Kehoe from
Cobh, Co. Cork, was appointed to look after the day to day running
of the harbou. The present Harbour Master is Eddy Barrett. The
port continues to be very busy because of the increased fish
landings (processed by the local factories) and the marina with
over 600 visiting yachts per year, along with the flotilla of
small boats, both pleasure and commercial that use the facility.
Kilmore Quay is now one of the most modern fishing ports along
the south and southeast coasts
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New Marina |
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