VIII.—Notes on the Pre-Glacial Rock-Platform on the Wexford Coast

Extract

The occurrence of a pre-Glacial marine terrace and raised beach along the coast of the south of Ireland was described by Messrs. Wright & Muff in 1904, and its development in the eastern part of co. Waterford was the subject of two short papers by the author in 1907 in this Magazine. Messrs. Wright & Muff (op. cit.) observed the same raised beach only in the south-eastern portion of co. Wexford, so that its recognition this summer by the author further north along the east coast of Ireland deserves recording, for it has been traced for several miles to the north and south of Courtown Harbour, and its height, characters, and relations to the overlying deposits show that it is a continuation of the same feature. The first locality to be mentioned is about 3 miles to the south of the village of Courtown, where relics of it are preserved between Roney Point and Salt Rock; it is still more distinct as a rock-terrace a little further north at Pollshone Head and Breanoge Head, but in the bays between these points the conditions are not favourable for its exposure, as there are no rocky cliffs, only extensive sand-dunes stretching along the shore. From Courtown Harbour northwards for about 2 miles to Duffcarrig Rocks sand-dunes are similarly developed, forming a nearly continuous line of ridges rising to heights of over 50 feet. Thick drift deposits occur behind them, but no pre-Glacial cliff or platform is exposed. At Duffcarrig Rocks solid rock again appears forming the headland, and we can recognize remnants of the rock-cut shelf in a much eroded and fissured condition.