Kilmore Quay Harbour

small fishing boat approaching harbour slip way on bright sunny day

Early Beginnings

Long before the harbour’s stones were laid, the waters of Kilmore Quay teemed with life. Since the 17th century, vast shoals of herring drew generations of fishermen to these shores, where they braved the coast in modest, open boats. The landscape began to change in 1825 when local fishermen, driven by necessity, hand-built a rudimentary L-shaped pier using stones salvaged from St. Patrick’s Bridge. This humble structure offered only seasonal refuge; during the harsh winter months, boats were hauled ashore, and the men turned to the soil, working as labourers to supplement their seasonal income. The mid-19th century brought a push for permanence. Between the 1830s and 1840s, repeated appeals for government funding finally bore fruit. By 1852, the pier had been significantly extended, evolving from a simple fishing dock into a more robust harbour designed for both the fishing industry and the safety of all vessels navigating the coast.

A Growing Fleet, An Exposed Harbour

In 1869, a storm washed away part of the pier and flooded nearby houses, prompting local merchants to step in and fund repairs. Fishermen increasingly called for better protection, including a second pier arm and a proper breakwater. Although some improvements were made in 1887, a devastating storm in October 1896 caused extensive destruction, wrecking thirteen boats, eroding large sections of the bank and sea wall, and breaching the pier in several places. Repairs followed, but further damage occurred in 1899 when another storm tore a 40-foot gap near the slip, complicated by the collapse of stored iron into the breach. That same year, it was reported that the harbour had rapidly silted up since the earlier works, leaving it nearly dry at low water spring tides. As vessels grew larger and fishing methods advanced, these recurring problems made it clear that Kilmore Quay urgently needed a more modern and resilient harbour.

Two Decades of Momentum

Fishing practices in Kilmore Quay began to change toward the end of the 19th century with the arrival of boats from North Wexford and Arklow, which used more advanced five-fathom drift nets compared to the locals’ two-fathom gear. During the First World War, the rich fishing grounds off the Wexford coast attracted fleets from England, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and France, but this activity declined as British steam trawlers returned to commercial fishing, causing a slump in demand for Irish fish. Up to 1940, motorised trawling remained limited in Kilmore Quay, with just six small boats employing 18 men. The Second World War, however, saw many local men gain experience and income in the Merchant Navy, which helped revitalise the industry after 1945. By the 1950s, daily inshore fishing had become well established, with 14 small trawlers and around 48 men working regularly.

20th Century Modernisation

A major turning point came in 1969 with the launch of Willie Bates’ 65-foot Thomas McDonald, marking the beginning of modernisation in the local fleet, alongside the establishment of Carbery Sea Products, a crab-processing plant in the village. The growth of fish processing, particularly in the early 1980s when three plants were operating, added a new commercial dimension to the harbour.

This progress built on wider national investment in fishing following Ireland’s entry into the European Economic Community in 1973. Between 1970 and 1988, the fleet expanded and modernised significantly: boat numbers rose by around 50% in the 1970s, while by 1988 overall engine power had increased by about 45%, reflecting a shift toward fewer but larger and more efficient vessels.

However, this rapid growth also placed increasing pressure on the harbour’s capacity and infrastructure. The growing size of the fleet led to congestion and heightened vulnerability to severe weather.

1989 Storm. Calmer but still windy, the morning after shows a major breach in the pier wall and the waves still crashing in

trawler aground off the beach after storm 1989

A Cruel Blow

A turning point came on Saturday, 16 December 1989, when one of the worst storms of the century struck the village. The storm destroyed a large section of the pier, sank two boats, damaged another ten, and caused an estimated £90,000 worth of damage.

It was the most serious event of its kind in over a century and ultimately prompted decisive action from government and local authorities to pursue major redevelopment.

The New Harbour Emerges

In the early-to-mid 1990s, the Department of the Marine and Wexford County Council invested approximately £2 million (IR£) in a major development scheme. This project saw the harbour basin significantly deepened to ensure it remained navigable at all stages of the tide. The works included the underpinning of the old pier, the construction of a brand-new quay and slipway, and the rebuilding of the east breakwater to provide better protection against the rough Celtic Sea swells. Perhaps the most notable addition during this era was the floating pontoon marina. This was a progressive move for the time, as the concept of integrating leisure marinas within active commercial fishing ports was still relatively new in Ireland. With a capacity for roughly 60 vessels, the marina established Kilmore Quay as a crucial ‘jumping-off point’ for sailors crossing to France or Wales, and a welcoming first port of call for those arriving from Britain. The facility has also been recognised for its quality, receiving Blue Flag status annually since 1998, highlighting its environmental standards and infrastructure. Today, the marina and the commercial fishing harbour operate side by side, symbolising the village’s broader transition—from a traditional fishing community to a more diverse maritime centre combining industry, leisure, and tourism.

References

Collier, P. 2002. A Monograph Study of Offshore Fishing and Social Change in Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford. Marine Resource Series No. 15. Marine Fisheries Services Divisions: Dublin Power, J. 2011. A Maritime History of County Wexford. Vol. 1. 1859 to 1910. Olinda Publications: Wexford. Haskins, C. (2020) Kilmore Quay Maintenance Dredging: Archaeological Monitoring Report. Unpublished report by Mizen Archaeology (License No. 20E0272, 20R0097 & 20D0027) for Wexford County Council.