Historic Cork Harbour stone walls get new lease of life after storm damage

Historic stone walls dating to the early 1800s are being restored after years of storm damage along Cork Harbour’s shoreline

Parts of the unique stone-built walls along the shoreside road between Saleen and East Ferry have taken a battering in recent years from the increasing ferocity of storms linked to climate change. Picture: Larry Cummins

A scenic and popular walkway on the edge of Cork Harbour is getting a bit of TLC from experts restoring its historic shoreline stone walls.

Parts of the unique stone-built walls along the shoreside road between Saleen and East Ferry have taken a battering in recent years from the increasing ferocity of storms linked to climate change.

The walls were expertly constructed by stonemasons in the early 1800s. While some sections have withstood the test of time, others have been severely damaged.

However, the Saleen & District Community Council has swung into action and successfully applied for Government and council funding to repair sections, with workers currently on site restoring the walls.

The walls were originally built with old red sandstone mixed with some local shale.

The shoreline stone wall rises approximately 1m above shore level and, on the other side, rises approximately 0.3 metres above the road. It extends for approximately 2km.

According to Michelle O’Driscoll, spokeswoman for the local community council, the wall has a distinctive style, with the stones predominantly laid vertically and deeply pointed with lime mortar.

They’ve received grants for the restoration works because the wall has been designated a ‘Heritage at Risk’ project.

“The old sea wall at Saleen Creek is a prime example of heritage at risk. When we think of the hours spent and the skills required to construct the wall, we come to realise the importance of making efforts to save and protect it,” Ms O’Driscoll said.

Traditional craftsmanship

The community council first got funding for some restoration in 2019 from the county council. Since then, it’s also got money from the Heritage Council for repairs, and another round of work is currently ongoing.

“The craftsmanship of Keith Deasy and his team of skilled masons, using traditional skills, can be appreciated by all who pass by. The shoreline wall at Saleen Creek is a rich habitat for many seashore lichens. The strata of lichens are particularly visible on the shore side of the wall. The stonemasons take care to ensure that stones with lichens retain their original orientation when repositioned in the wall,” Ms O’Driscoll added.

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