KiNAHAN — Tidal Currents and Wind-waves. 455 



tlie time the canal ought to be acting, causes the pier to be silted up by 

 sand and gravel. Here the sand and gravel, collected during months by 

 the N.E. winds, will be carried away by one good continuous gale 

 during spring tides from the S.W. A short gale would do the work, 

 were it not for the sand in the bay between the pier and the Point, 

 this having first to be removed, as otherwise the tidal driftage from 

 the south will replace the sand on the north of the pier as fast as it 

 is removed. 



From Cahore to Kilmichael Point, the driftage seems to be in 

 general even and regular, its direction being to the northward. Be- 

 tween these two points is Courtown, on the Owenavorragh river, 

 where piers and other works have been constructed, but unfortu- 

 nately, the harbour is almost useless, as its embouchure is nearly 

 always silted up. Here, also, is an example of the superior driftage 

 power of the tidal currents over the wind-waves. Some years ago, a 

 storm swept away the end of the south pier, after which the N.E. 

 gales used to clear out the bar in the mouth of the harbour, but lately 

 the end of the south pier was rebuilt, since when similar gales do not 

 clear the bar. The reason for this is quite apparent, as, prior to the end 

 of the south pier being rebuilt, gales from the ]N^.E. excavated out, not 

 only the accumulations forming the bar, but also the accumulations be- 

 tween the piers and the headland (Breanoge Head), a little to the south ; 

 now, however, such gales can only affect the bar, the south bay being- 

 protected from their influence ; consequently, as fast as the bar is re- 

 moved, the tidal driftage replaces it with other materials. This place 

 seems to be more favourably situated for the construction of a harbour 

 than any other on the S.E. coast, if the di'iftage was taken into con- 

 sideration and provided against. 



A mile due east of Kilmichael Point, is "the tail" of the Glass- 

 gorman bank, and in a nearly east and west line between them is 

 the " race of Kilmichael." This is due to the tide fi-om the south here 

 meeting a counter-tide generated near Arklow Head. Immediately 

 north and south of Kilmichael promontory, as in many other places on 

 this coast, there were in years gone by considerable bays, which have 

 been since filled up by accumulations, principally of JEolian sand, 

 while of late years these sand hills have been considerably denuded 

 at their southern ends. In the bay to the south of Kilmichael, 

 over thirty-five acres in area have been carried away since the 

 Ordnance maps were made (1840), and in that to the north about 

 thii'ty acres."' 



In the tract to the south of KJilmichael, the encroachments on the 

 ^oliandriftonlytakeplaceduringgalesfromtheS.W. Thisis, as might 



* There arc no reliable records prior to the Ordnance Survey, but the old men 

 remember when the land extended much more seaward than is indicated by the 

 Ordnance maps. In confirmation of their statements, they point to the old road- 

 ways, which now lead to nearly perpendicular cliffs. 



