Runkerry Strand

Bushfoot Strand by Art Ward ©
Runkerry also known as Bushfoot strand  is a very dynamic beach where sand is seasonally moved on and off the shore. In the late 1800s, thousands would gather here to watch the annual horse races held on the vast expanse of sand. In winter the sand is stripped away leaving rocks for most of the beach. The river once flowed into the sea mid beach which is evident by the exposure of an ancient river bed in the dunes. Across the bay is Runkerry Headland and Runkerry House, built in the 18th century by Edward Macnaghten of Dundarave. Today the Strand is well known for its surf and picks up most swells that are active in the Atlantic. It is worth being aware that although this is a beautiful strand it has has a couple of active and very dangerous rip currents which have claimed many lives over the years.
Runkerry Strand by Art Ward ©
There have been several ships wrecked around Portballintrae, the 'Reliance' 1847, 'the Thomas Graham' 1879 and in 1887 the 'Royal Standard' which foundered on Bushfoot Strand, during the war a training aircraft ditch off the mouth of the River Bush. There are many tales of smuggling around the coast here, this would have been mainly of tea, illicit whiskey, and other commodities. The goods would be transferred from larger vessels to small boats at sea, then hid away for later distribution along the north coast. There are documented incidents of Customs being engaged with armed smuggling cutters off the coast and here in Porballintrae there was purpose-built customs house for the officers.
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