What's the story here?

Creadan Head is a headland on a small peninsula on the west side of Waterford Harbour, about three miles above Dunmore East. The high finger of land, which extends out for ¾ mile from the shore and terminates abruptly, is a readily identifiable harbour landmark.




The headland affords a tolerable settled-weather anchorage just within its outer head. Inside of that the bay quickly begins to shoal into Fornaght Strand at the head of the bay. Therefore, in any developed prevailing southwesterly conditions, the boat will lie to the wind and the headland’s deflected waves will come abeam, causing an uncomfortable roll. This roll-driven crashing and banging places Creadan Head out of the realm of a night’s sleep, but it is an excellent daytime stop in anything with a westerly component. An overnight stay here is possible only in very settled conditions.

How to get in?

Use the Port of Waterford for details of seaward approaches, entry to Waterford Harbour and the run-up the estuary. The bay is approximately a mile westward of the channel and the approaches are free of any off-lying dangers.



From the initial fix, steer to round the head at a sensible distance. There is no necessity to enter the channel, and the headland can be rounded inside the No.2 port-hand mark. Indeed, it is possible to come close to the headland as it is steep-to and depths in excess of 3 metres will be found 50 metres off its eastern face. Just be aware that the encroachment of Creadan Head upon the channel concentrates the estuary tides, which can attain up to 3 knots off its head on springs. Once around the head slowly take the vessel in to find the requisite draught to anchor.




Within the headland is an extensive tract of sand and gravel, and the bay quickly begins to shoal from the outer extremity of the head into Fornaght Strand at its head. As such the anchoring position will be just within the outer head, and shoal-draught vessels visiting at neaps will have the best of it. The exact state of the tide and a keen eye to the sounder will be required to acquire the optimum position. The bay does provide excellent sand and mud holding.




Landing is difficult at Creadan Head. As the bay gradually shoals away to Fornaght Strand, there is a straight stretch of sand and shingle across the head of the bay. Any time spent ashore will require a long dinghy carry over mud.




Likewise, the side of the cliff promontory descends abruptly into the sea, with no beach exposed at the base of its cliffs. Some very narrow strips will be seen in a few coves at low tide, but they are usually within a mass of tumbled rocks. Better landing is to be had round the headland on the outer southern shores of Creadan Head, where estuary pirates once plied their trade.

Why visit here?

Creadan Head, often spelt Creaden Head, is a remarkable point of land that has the added significance of being the most easterly point in County Waterford. It acquired its name Ceann Criadain, now known in Irish as Ceann Chréadáin, from ancient Irish race the Deise. The Deise were recorded as possessing the district of Deise Dheisceirt, described as the area from the River Suir southwards to the sea, and from Lios Mor [Lismore] to Ceann Criadain. The name Criadain has no Gaelic translation and is presumed to be an individual’s name.




In past times Creadan Head was a far busier location than it is today. It has served many purposes throughout the ages, both good and bad. Above the cave near Creadan House, situated at the root of the headland’s southern shore, are the time-worn remains of 40 hand-hewn steps that lead up from the sea to the headland. These were cut in medieval times by the Knights Templar, who operated a ferry to and from their stronghold Templarstown on the opposite Wexford shore. At that time this path was considered the main road from Cork to London.




In the 16th century Waterford Harbour was infested by pirates, who were just beginning to have their operations checked by the construction of Duncannon Fort. At that time Creadan Head was a well-known pirate haunt, where they capitalised on the meeting of the ancient Waterford Road and the mouth of the estuary. Vessels heading upriver would secretly land goods in the sheltered 'Creadan Cove', or 'Walls Cove', which is situated in front of the cave beneath Creadan House, to the south of the headland. The cave was used as an accumulation point for smuggled goods, which were then delivered to Waterford by the ancient road before the ships had navigated the river. By arriving at the market earlier, these smuggled goods fetched the best price, and by avoiding Waterford’s or New Ross’s taxes and port dues, they also delivered the best profit.




The Irish name for this ancient path Bothar na Mná Gorm also indicates that it was put to the service of slave traders at some time. Bothar na Mná Gorm translates directly to English as ‘the road of the blue women’. Likewise, at the base of the peninsula on the north side of the headland, Fornaght Strand or Knockaveelish Strand, lying between the headland and Knockaveelish Head, is known in Irish as Trá na Mná Gorm, ‘the strand of the blue women’. ‘Blue women’ in both cases means black women.




The Irish language exclusively used the term 'Black Man' to describe the Devil, hence the differentiation. The names for the beach and road indicate that African Slaves were landed via the steps at the headland and on the beach on the north shore. While there are very few references to the slavery in Ireland, Irish shipowners and sea captains did partake in the slave trade, and presumably, all the slave landings here were taken ashore or walked to Waterford for re-export to the New World.

In later years it is thought that these steps were put to a more honourable use. The harbour pilots of the 18th century used the headland as an embarkation and disembarkation point from which to access vessels navigating Waterford Harbour.

Today Creadan Head is a very quiet and remote location. It offers an excellent anchorage to wait out a tide, while in very settled weather a good overnight stay may be had. Those who venture ashore will find beautiful elevated coastal walks with spectacular views overlooking the estuary.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Creadan Head except for road access to the mainland. For restocking of essential provisions, Dunmore is a 4km walk from here.

Any security concerns?

No known problems reported at this location. You are most likely to be completely alone at this beach and away from any interference.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Photography with thanks to Burke Corbett and Michael Harpur.