A major rock fall at Dunmore East has led to the closure to traffic of one of the most scenic stretches of coast line road in the county. A rock fall from the cliff face on to Peig’s Rock under Harney’s Hill has divided the upper and lower sections of the fishing village.
Waterford Co Council has also decided to close the popular Lawlor’s Beach to the public until further notice because of the danger of further rock falls. A preliminary survey report of the foundations of the road has indicated the need for a more detailed examination to assess the extent of the damage.
Local County Councillor Pat Fitzgerald (SF) said he had been in touch with Council officials who assured him that they were doing everything possible to re-open the road.
After a severe winter, which had done a lot of damage to local roads making driving difficult in rural areas, the people of Dunmore East could have done without this latest road closure, he said.
The route from the T-junction at the top of the hill to the Strand Inn was one of the most scenic in the county with picturesque views of the Hook Head Light and it was a great asset to the village as a tourist attraction.
Cllr Fitzgerald welcomed the re-opening of a pedestrian pathway on Harney’s Hill and said that in the interests of local people and the local economy every effort should be made to re-open it to vehicular traffic as soon as possible.
The road closure has highlighted the need for a roundabout at the dangerous junction of the Horse Quarter with the main road and the provision of public street lighting on the High Road.
Last year Waterford Co. Council placed restrictions on the cliff road leading to Counsellor’s Strand and the Golf Club due to undermining of the red sandstone cliffs but the restrictions were later lifted.
