Dungarvan is a pretty little town on the south coast of Ireland, southeast of Waterford, and is the only place on this island where remains of woolly mammoths have been discovered. Who says we’re the only species to enjoy the seaside? In 1649 Cromwell marched his army into the heart of this coastal town and may well have intended to destroy it as he did so many other Irish towns and villages. Legend has it that he left the town standing because a local woman offered him a goblet of wine as he marched through the city gates. Sláinte.
It is home to a beautiful little harbour that sparkles and reflects and dances at high tide, but, if you’re as adept as I am at lousy timing and arrive at the peak of low tide, it will look a little more, umm, shall I say, sludgy?
Now I’m not one to shy away from a challenge, so I tried all kinds of tricks, including attempting to camouflage the worst of the mud with colourful autumn leaves…
…but in the end I decided the best approach would be to embrace the muddy landscape and celebrate beached boats.
Thankfully, Dungarvan Castle remained unaffected by the low tide, standing proudly at the mouth of the River Colligan. ready to ward of invaders navigating the watery channel by boat…
…at high tide, that is. At low tide, invaders, knee deep in mud carrying their boats, wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Where's my backpack? 