The Harbour

The Department's description

Exterior description and setting

Situated in a rocky cleft where the Annalong river meets the sea, this tidal harbour complex comprises breakwater piers jutting out from either side of the river and an inner basin. The easternmost breakwater (on the south side of the harbour mouth) has a metal navigation light.

The inner harbour has been created by excavating the rock on the south side of the river and erecting a quay wall around. There is a small entrance in its north wall beside which is an electrically operated crane for inserting timbers between the entrance abutments to protect boats moored inside during stormy weather.

All the walls are of large roughly-dressed granite blocks laid in regular courses and paved with granite setts. There are protective storm parapets around the east side of the inner harbour and north-east pier. There are also several granite mooring bollards.

Historical information

Alexander Nimmo, in his 1822 report on fishing stations, notes the existence of a small rock-cut harbour on the south side of the river’s mouth. There was also a small pier at this time, erected by the Earl of Kilmorey. According to the 1836 Ordnance Survey Memoir (Kilkeel Parish), it was considered “a capital port to put into, should a storm come on while making from Carlingford to Belfast”. Under the Sea Fisheries Act (9Vic.3), the Board of Public Works carried out substantial improvements – deepening the entrance channel, enlarging the inner harbour and erecting quays and a breakwater. This work was completed in 1848. The breakwater pier at the east end of the inner harbour was added in 1902.

Primary Sources:

1. M McCaughan (1985), ‘Nineteenth century accounts of maritime activity at Annalong’, in Field excursions in Ulster, 3: the Annalong district of the Mournes, county Down, pp. 24-35 (Cultra: Ulster Folklife Society).

Criteria for listing: architectural interest

D. Plan Form
H+. Alterations enhancing the building
J. Setting
K. Group value

Criteria for listing: historic interest

X. Local Interest
Y. Social, Cultural or Economic Importance

Evaluation

Picturesquely located at the mouth of the Annalong River, this harbour has evolved over the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although still operational, its proportion and size are in keeping with the scale of fishing and trade carried out in the 19th century. It has been of considerable social significance in being the principal point of export for granite and potatoes and also an important centre for herring fishing.

It has an association with the nearby navigation mark (HB16/01/012).

The harbour is enhanced by the nearby corn mill (HB16/01/011) and panoramic view of the Mourne mountains.