Craden Head
Encyclopedia
Creadan Head is a headland
on a small peninsula on the west side of Waterford Harbour
, about three miles upriver from Dunmore East
, in the Ireland
. Of uncertain meaning and presumed to be an individual's name, it is the most easterly point in Waterford. Historically, it was part of the "main road" from Cork
to London
. A ferry crossing from the headland to Templarstown on the eastern side of the bay was operated by the Knights Templar
. Forty hand-hewn steps, leading down to sea-level, are still evident in the rocks at the headland. It is thought that these steps were also very useful to maritime pilots since the headland is an obvious embarkation and disembarkation point.
Creadan Head was apparently used as a landing stage for certain goods from ships heading upriver to Waterford
, New Ross
, Granny
and other small ports. Items thus landed were not assessed for taxes and other dues, in other words they were being smuggled. Creadan House is situated at the start of the headland, overlooking a sheltered cove, Creadan Cove or Walls Cove. This cove was also used for landing goods.
North of the headland is a sandbar which narrows the navigable channel to the Port of Waterford
. This river channel is buoyed from Creaden Head to mark the navigation.
At the base of the peninsula, on the north side, is located a beach or strand known locally as Fornaght Strand or Knockaveelish Strand. The Irish language name is "Trá na Mná Gorm"; translated directly to English as "The Strand of the Blue Women", which means; "The Strand of the Negro Women". This would appear to support the story that slaves were landed, or trans-shipped, via the steps at the headland. While there are very few references to the use of slaves in Ireland, Irish ship-owners and sea captains did partake in the trade. The slaves were apparently being re-embarked somewhere on the western seaboard and would be walked from Creaden to that point for exercise.
It is suggested that the slaves in this instance were thought by the Irish locals to be women since they all (both male and female) wore a type kaftan or flowing garment and in Ireland this type of dress would only be worn by women. Negros in Ireland were called Blue people since in the Irish language a Black man is traditionally the devil.
Another theory is even more fanciful. It is suggested that the smugglers using the "Forty Steps" on the headland dressed as women for disguise and hence the name for the beach. These and other theories for the placename "Trá na Mná Gorm" are quite fascinating and are still open to conjecture.
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
on a small peninsula on the west side of Waterford Harbour
Waterford Harbour
Waterford Harbour is a natural harbour at the mouth of the Three Sisters; the River Nore, the River Suir and the River Barrow in Ireland. It is navigable for shipping to both Waterford and New Ross. The Port of Waterford is capable of accommodating vessels up to 32,000 tons dwt...
, about three miles upriver from Dunmore East
Dunmore East
Dunmore East is a popular tourist and fishing village village in County Waterford, Ireland. Situated on the west side of Waterford Harbour on Ireland's southeastern coast, it lies within the barony of Gaultier : a reference to the influx of Norman settlers in the area.-History:Iron Age people...
, in the Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Of uncertain meaning and presumed to be an individual's name, it is the most easterly point in Waterford. Historically, it was part of the "main road" from Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. A ferry crossing from the headland to Templarstown on the eastern side of the bay was operated by the Knights Templar
Knights Templar
The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
. Forty hand-hewn steps, leading down to sea-level, are still evident in the rocks at the headland. It is thought that these steps were also very useful to maritime pilots since the headland is an obvious embarkation and disembarkation point.
Creadan Head was apparently used as a landing stage for certain goods from ships heading upriver to Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, New Ross
New Ross
New Ross is a town located in southwest County Wexford, in the southeast of Ireland. In 2006 it had a population of 7,709 people, making it the third largest town in the county after Wexford and Enniscorthy.-History:...
, Granny
Granny
Granny is a word for a female grandparent.Granny may also refer to:Fictional characters*Granny , a Looney Tunes character...
and other small ports. Items thus landed were not assessed for taxes and other dues, in other words they were being smuggled. Creadan House is situated at the start of the headland, overlooking a sheltered cove, Creadan Cove or Walls Cove. This cove was also used for landing goods.
North of the headland is a sandbar which narrows the navigable channel to the Port of Waterford
Port of Waterford
The Port of Waterford is situated several kilometres downstream of Waterford City on the northern side of the Suir river in South County Kilkenny, and is called Belview...
. This river channel is buoyed from Creaden Head to mark the navigation.
At the base of the peninsula, on the north side, is located a beach or strand known locally as Fornaght Strand or Knockaveelish Strand. The Irish language name is "Trá na Mná Gorm"; translated directly to English as "The Strand of the Blue Women", which means; "The Strand of the Negro Women". This would appear to support the story that slaves were landed, or trans-shipped, via the steps at the headland. While there are very few references to the use of slaves in Ireland, Irish ship-owners and sea captains did partake in the trade. The slaves were apparently being re-embarked somewhere on the western seaboard and would be walked from Creaden to that point for exercise.
It is suggested that the slaves in this instance were thought by the Irish locals to be women since they all (both male and female) wore a type kaftan or flowing garment and in Ireland this type of dress would only be worn by women. Negros in Ireland were called Blue people since in the Irish language a Black man is traditionally the devil.
Another theory is even more fanciful. It is suggested that the smugglers using the "Forty Steps" on the headland dressed as women for disguise and hence the name for the beach. These and other theories for the placename "Trá na Mná Gorm" are quite fascinating and are still open to conjecture.