Riverchapel: natural environment

If the area of Riverchapel-Courtown is a magnet for tourists thanks to its golden stretches of beach, it is equally attractive to scientists and archaeologists due to its most fascinating natural environment.

Kidney Vetch

Copyright John Kennedy

Kidney Vetch
Copyright John Kennedy

Kidney Vetch

Copyright John Kennedy

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Between 25,000 and 15,000 years ago, a glacier from the Irish Sea covered the area, depositing the clay used in the local Brick and Tile Works (1847-1971). At Ballymoney Strand on the boulder clay and rock outcrops, hoary ragwort reaches its most southerly location in Ireland. Yarrow, rock-samphire, bucks thorn plantain, sea thrift and kidney vetch can also be found on the rock outcrops. Thanks to this interesting variety of plant species, the area is designated an Area of Scientific Interest.

Another area of Scientific Interest lies near the original estuary of the Owenavorrogh River, just north of Courtown. The area is locally known as “the old bar”, where a large gull roost can be observed in winter. The glen is rich in birdlife, including woodcock, jay and sparrowhawk. Along the coast in the large dune complex, sea buckthorn grows abundantly. Other vegetation includes marram, lime-grass, sea rocket and Moore’s horsetail.

Woodland at Ballintray
Courtesy of Wexford Library

For those that enjoy country walks, there is no nicer place than the restored walks through the woods at Courtown. In the 1870s extensive woods were planted on the Courtown Estate by Lord Courtown. Most of these were cut down in the 1950s and replaced by commercial species such as conifers and ash. Fortunately, a number of the exotic species were retained and can be seen when following the path through the woods.