OBSERVATIONS ON CHANGES IN SEA COAST OF UNITED KINGDOM. 277 



part of the shore is unprotected. The low coast of Portballintrae is 

 undergoing considerable erosion. On the western side of the bay wooden 

 and stone structures have been raised for protection, and these send the 

 sand and shingle eastwards, where much is removed. From Fair Head 

 southwards to Cushendun erosion is slight, while at Cushendall a gain of 

 about 3 feet is on record in the last five years. At a point a mile 

 north of Glenarm considerable loss takes place, the coast-road being 

 gradually set back several feet. One groyne has been erected, but at the 

 time the report was sent in its eft'ect was doubtful. Beach material is 

 removed for industrial purposes, and also at Ballycastle, Larne Harbour, 

 and Whitehead. 



In County Down the list of losses becomes longer. On the low and 

 rocky coast of Donaghadee an encroachment is noted at a locality about 

 I mile south of the coastguard station ; and between Templepatrick and 

 Ballyferris Point losses have taken place to the extent of 1 5 feet in the 

 ten years preceding July 1899, and also, according to old inhabitants, 

 between Ballyferris Point and Bray Hill. At Cloghy the house occu- 

 pied by a former coastguard officer is now (1899) all but washed away. 

 Here one groyne built opposite the coastguard station protects the sea- 

 wall, which lately has been strengthened. 



North of the entrance to Strangford Lough (Tara C.G.S.) it appears 

 that considerable loss of land has resulted from the encroachments of 

 the sea, and that the public road is locally submerged during south- 

 easterly and easterly gales. A sea-wall has been built to protect the 

 coast, but gravel and sand are removed for industrial purposes. 



In the more southerly part of the county, in the neighbourhood of 

 Dundrum Bay and Kilkeel, losses are practically continuous for a 

 considerable stretch of coast. From ' Big Pack,' Ballykinler, past the coast- 

 guard stations of Newcastle, Annalong, and Kilkeel the sea is reported as 

 encroaching at several points. These are : from Murlough Point to Long 

 Hill, south of the Dundrum River ; between the bar of Dundrum and 

 the Shimna River ; between the Ballagh River and Black Rock, 

 Annalong, and at tlie harbour of Kilkeel, with the adjacent localities of 

 Leeston's Point and Ballykid. Beach material is removed from many 

 places along the coast and in great quantities from the neighbourhood of 

 the Dundrum River. High tides and strong southerly or south-easterly 

 gales are given as the reasons for many of tlie losses. Coast protections 

 have been erected in several places. A sea wall has been constructed 

 from Newcastle Harbour for about half a mile northwards and the beach 

 paved with boulders, while groynes, which appear to act successfully, 

 have been erected under the esplanade and New Railway Hotel. Three 

 groynes have been erected at Kilkeel Harbour. 



Passing southwards we find a loss of land occurring at Cranfield 

 Point, where the sea has washed away the pillars of the gate of the 

 Hghtkeeper's house. The Commissioners of Irish Light have now had 

 the cliff faced with stone and cement. At Greenore, near the 

 southern entrance to Carlingford Lough {County Louth), slight encroach- 

 ment is noted. 



On the northern side of Dundalk Bay, near Giles Quay, the sea is 

 encroaching along a strip of coast about 1| mile in length, a loss of 

 45 feet having occurred in places during the last six years. A groyne 

 at the back of the fishing pier tends to accumulate the sand and shingle, 

 which is, however, removed for making concrete. A report covering nearly 



