March 28, 2024

A Day By The Sea

A gracious friend road tripped me up through Louth County today to find a fisherman. So near to where I have been staying and unbelievable I had yet to see. The Mountains of Mourne greeted us as we capped over the hill upon entering Clogherhead. There lied the Irish Sea.

Churchyard near Clogherhead Ireland.
Churchyard near Clogherhead Ireland.

The fishing village of Clogherhead, forming a natural bay has drawn man since landing on the east coast of Ireland. The stone out croppings along the coast are believed to be the source of stone for the Neolithic chambers dotting the Boyne Valley.

The Irish Sea
The Irish Sea

Robert the Bruce, landed with over 6000 men in order to help the Irish defeat the English, to no avail. In 1649 Cromwellian soldiers tragically executed local priests in the cliff side cave. The area of Louth county also lost numerous Catholic Churches and glorious monastery s and abbeys to the religious genocide of the English forces of the 17th century priests. But despite all the harsh history, Clogherhead and Lough County have some of the most beautiful views and prosperous estate houses in the country.

The footprint of the enormous Cistercian Abbey at Mellifont is still quite breath taking, when considering a beautiful 4 story structure began in the 12th century falling to ruins by the 18 th century.
The footprint of the enormous Cistercian Abbey at Mellifont is still quite breath taking, when considering a beautiful 4 story structure began in the 12th century falling to ruins by the 18 th century.

The Port of Oriel at Clogherhead, boasts the latest in modern Irish ports and is home to a large Fishermans Co-op made up of small and large fishing vessels searching the Irish Sea clear to Wales for some of the worlds leading sources of prawns, shrimp and cod. Ireland’s fishing industry exported over €415 billion last year ! Most of which landing in France and Spain.

This large boat, the Margret Mary, had just docked this morning after being out for 3 weeks. Longer than usual due to poor weather. Vessels of this size now are equipped with machines to fast freeze the fish and shrimp immediately after being caught.
This large boat, the Margret Mary, had just docked this morning after being out for 3 weeks. Longer than usual due to poor weather. Vessels of this size now are equipped with machines to fast freeze the fish and shrimp immediately after being caught.

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Allen, a local young man, was repairing nets after a long 3 weeks out. A third generation fisherman, he trained as a brick layer but with the bust in the Irish economy and new building, he found his way back into the life of a fisherman. With no regrets, he says enjoys the fishing and the sea and although glad to be home he is looking forward to getting back on board and back to chasing the catch in 10 days
Allen, a local young man, was repairing nets after a long 3 weeks out. A third generation fisherman, he trained as a brick layer but with the bust in the Irish economy and new building, he found his way back into the life of a fisherman. With no regrets, he says enjoys the fishing and the sea and although glad to be home he is looking forward to getting back on board and back to chasing the catch in 10 days

A lovely morning out, my only regret is that it wasn’t a warm Irish summer day so I could go out on the beach and dig up my own fresh mussels.

Sample of the days catch at the port side wholesale shop.
Sample of the days catch at the port side wholesale shop.