KILTENNEL TRAIL · HISTORY STOP 2 OF 5

The Fishermans Way

Known locally as the Fishermans Way or Fishermans Walk - this is the original path taken by the area's maritime workers from their homes to the mouth of the Ounavarra River.

Four men in early 20th century clothing sitting and standing by a stone wall outdoors, with a landscape and sailing ships in the background.

Long before the harbour arrived, this coastline had a thriving local fishing industry. It only grew once the harbour was built and the train began stopping in the nearby town of Gorey in the mid-1800s. But Courtown as a village only arrived with the harbour - before that, the fishermen lived in the nearby villages of Riverchapel and Ballymoney.

Their main catches were mackerel and cod. But in the 1700s, it's said there were many oyster beds along this coast too. This path also kept anyone from trespassing on Lord Courtown's estate!

  • Mid-1800s

    the train reached nearby Gorey

  • 1700s

    oyster beds along the coast

  • Mackerel & cod

    the main catches of the day

People walking on a beach near the shoreline, with sand dunes and a cloudy sky in the background.
Black and white photo of a small harbor with boats docked along the water, with houses and buildings on a hillside in the background.
Historic black and white photograph of a harbor with boats in a harbor basin, stone walls, and a breakwater extending into the sea, with ships in the distance.