Old Parish - An Sean Phobal An Sean Phobal's coastline consists of a dramatic seascape with steep cliffs and small sandy beaches.The South-East Coastal Drive leads you straight through the heart of An Sean Phobal. Along the way you see the Mine Head Lighthouse, which is the highest lighthouse above sea-level in Ireland. Built some 5,000 years before the lighthouse is another man-made structure - a pre-celtic Megalithic Tomb, the only example of its kind in County Waterford. An Sean Phobal - The Oldest Parish in Ireland Before the famine in the mid-19th century, An Sean Phobal (Old Parish) contained a much larger population than it does today. An Sean Phobal, together with An Rinn (Ring) forms the Waterford Gaeltacht. About 13 km (8 mls) from Dungarvan, An Sean Phobal is a large parish covering about 35 square kilometres (14 sq.mls) with approximately 8 km (5 mls) of coastline. This coastline consists of a dramatic seascape comprising of cliffs (approximately 70 m, 230 ft., high) together with a number of deeply incised stream gullies and small bays. The unimproved grassland along the cliffs attracts a wide variety of seabirds. An Sean Phobal is a paradise for bird-watchers and people interested in nature. The most prominent man-made feature is the Mine Head Lighthouse. The seas along this stretch of coast are notoriously rough and numerous wrecks are known to lie offshore. Built some 5,000 years before the lighthouse is another man-made structure - a pre-celtic Megalithic Tomb, the only example of its kind in County Waterford. The spectacular cliff-top location, with stunning views across to the East Waterford and Wexford coastline to the Hook Head Lighthouse and beyond leave no visitor in any doubt as to why this tomb was built in exactly this location with an all overlooking view.
George Halpin Senior designed the major light of Mine Head (navigational location 51¡ 59.6' N 7¡ 35.2' W). The red sandstone structure sitting on top of the steep cliffs of Old Parish is higher above sea-level (88 m, 290 ft.) than any other Irish lighthouse. Local merchants and mariners from Youghal and Cork pressured the Ballast Board to begin a lighthouse tower on Capel Island off Youghal. This building was begun even though George Halpin felt the best place for a light was on Mine Head. The work was well under way when the local people changed their mind and decided that the light should be at Mine Head after all. After much debate, including input from Trinity House and the Admiralty, it was decided to abandon the site on Capel Island and build on Mine Head. The light was established
on 1 June 1851, the same day as Ballycotton lighthouse.
An example of the earliest megalithic tombs in Ireland, commonly known as court tombs, is to be found in the area of the Mine Head Lighthouse. This court-tomb is only one of four known to exist south of a line from Dundalk to Galway. The name comes from the fact that this type of tomb usually has a court yard area found at the entrance to the chambers. A court cairn is situated in Ballinamona Lower, Old Parish. The site is marked 'dolmen' on the Ordnance Survey map, and is known locally as 'Cailleach Bhearra'. It is located about 1.6km (1 mile) north of the lighthouse and about 90m (100 yards) from the cliff edge.
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CCG - Concern for the Coast of the Gaeltacht
According
to the legend of Saint Declan of Ardmore, An Sean Phobal (Old Parish)
is the oldest christian community in Ireland.
Mine
Head Lighthouse
