Cooraghy Pier

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

This complex comprises (1) a pier and derrick, (2) platform and store, (3) inclined plane, (4) shelter, (5) winch house, and (6) access track and steps, all dating from 1912-16.

1. Pier and derrick
At the S end of the complex is a small mass concrete pier projecting out to sea. A set of landing steps (with vestiges of a metal handrail) is recessed into its E side and there is also a mooring ring at each end.
At the pier's NW end is a substantial cast-concrete block which supports the central post of a derrick. It was used to transfer materials to the platform (and waiting wagons) from boats moored alongside the pier. Nothing else of it survives apart from a diagonal supporting strut anchoring its top to the SW corner of the platform above.

2. Platform and store
Overlooking the pier at N is a platform on to which materials were landed by means of a derrick. It is of mass concrete construction and has been built on top of a rocky chalk outcrop. A flight of concrete stairs on its W side connects it with the pier. Around the edge of the platform is a two-bar tubular steel railing with a gap along its SE side for two removable chain links (both now missing). A 39-inch gauge pair of tramway lines runs to N across the top of the platform to the bottom of the inclined plane.
At the NW corner of the platform is a single-bay, single-storey derelict building, presumed to have originally been a store for smaller off-loaded items (e.g. bags of cement). Reinforced concrete roof with four skylights (windows missing) supported on a transverse timber beam. Walls also of concrete, cast in situ and without openings except for a pair of double wooden doors on SW elevation (left door missing).

3. Inclined plane
Rising up the cliff face is an inclined plan of reinforced-concrete construction. It is of T section and the top slab measures 158cm/ 62-in wide by 21cm/ 8in deep. It is supported towards its top end by an angled reinforced-concrete strut. Set into both edges are metal brackets to which the tram tracks were attached (all now removed).
At the top of the slab, the edge of the cliff has been cut away to form a trench for the tramway to pass through.
Beyond the cliff edge, the tramway continued at a gentler angle as far as the winch house. It is now very overgrown and difficult to trace.

4. Shelter
Cut into an E-facing slope towards the top of the plane is a single-bay/ single-storey building presumed to have been a shelter. It has a reinforced-concrete roof (very shallow pitch) and rubble masonry walls. It is cut into the slope such that only its E gable is visible. The entrance door on this elevation is missing.

5. Winch house
A T-shaped single-storey/ single-bay building cut into a S-facing slope at the N end of the inclined plane. It is of cast-in-situ reinforced-concrete throughout, with a flat roof. Its only opening is a doorway at its S end (door missing).
At the N end of its entrance passage is a winch with steel cable wrapped around. It was driven through bevel gears, parts of which still survive. The engine which drove it is long gone.

6. Access track and steps
The complex is approached from the public road down an unsurfaced track which is revetted with rubble masonry along its E side as it approaches the entrance gate. All that remains of the latter is a slender concrete post from which a gate (long gone) was hung.
The track, now very overgrown and difficult to follow, continues to the shelter whence it continues as a narrow track to a flight of concrete steps running S down the steep slope. It has a tubular metal handrail along its E side.
From the bottom of the steps, the track continues SW diagonally down the face of the slope in a south-westerly direction, makes a sharp 180-degree bend, and then runs eastwards down to the N end of the platform. Again, the track is very overgrown and hazardous to negotiate.

Setting
The pier complex sits at the bottom of steep sea cliffs and is bounded to E by a stream which has cut a steep gully down the face of the slope. The premises are bounded at N and W by a tubular metal railing supported on concrete posts.

Historical information

This complex was constructed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights between 1912 and 1916 to bring materials on to the island for the erection of the West Light. The light was at Bull Point, 1.2km NW (as the seagull flies) but is surrounded to three sides by inaccessible vertical cliffs. Corraghy was the nearest feasible landing place for materials and it was necessary not only to build an inclined tramway to hoist the materials up the side of the cliff, but also lay a road to Bull Point.
The West Light came into operation in 1919. Cooraghy Pier and its ancillary buildings and structures are marked on the 1922 OS map and subsequent editions.
The property has since been transferred by CIL to DOE(NI) and now forms part of Keeble National Nature Reserve.

References - Primary Sources:
1. PRONI OS/10/1/1/4/2. Second edition OS 1:2500 map, Co Antrim sheet 1-04 (1922).
2. PRONI OS/11/3/3/1. First edition OS Irish-Grid 1:10,000 map sheet 3 (1971).

References - Secondary sources:
1. Forsythe, W. and McConkey, R. 2012. Rathlin Island: An Archaeological Survey of a Maritime Landscape pp 390-391. Belfast, NIEA.Transerred by CIL to DOE(NI) and now within Keeble National Nature Reserve.

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

Not listed

Criteria for listing: historic interest

Not listed

Evaluation

The spatial configuration of the pier, derrick, platform, inclined plane and winch house make up a complete functioning unit. This relatively early use of reinforced concrete for their fabric, all of which is entirely authentic, is also innovative. The complex is also an ingenious solution to the issue of a lack of direct access to the West Light from the sea.

The pier's spectacular setting is an integral part of its raison d'être and it also has group value with the West Lighthouse (HB05/16/016). The complex is of local historical interest whilst the combination of pier and adjoining inclined plane is unique in Northern Ireland.

The pier complex was surveyed for the Rathlin Island Archaeological Survey and was scheduled in 2004 under MRA 003:075.

General comments

Scheduling may be a more appropriate statutory protection measure than listing in this instance.