Grave of the Yellow Men

Limerick port was a trading port from the 9th century, with huge expansion in the 12^th century. Therefore there were many boats and ships passing along Kilbaha Bay and navigating the shoreline. There have been over a hundred recorded shipwrecks around the peninsula. In the 19th century, a group of foreign sailors drowned in a boating tragedy close to Kilbaha pier. The locals made an attempt to rescue the sailors but this was unsuccessful. The name and nationality of the sailors were unknown and since then they were referred to locally as the yellow men. Details are still unclear to this day but they remain part of the Kilbaha community’s oral tradition. A memorial consisting of six stone slabs representing each of the sailors was established to commemorate the unknown men. The memorial is located at an idyllic spot outside the village of Kilbaha, overlooking the beautiful bay.

It is recommended that adequate road signage be provided for this site in both directions.

This site is ideally placed to take advantage of the spectacular scenery overlooking Kilbaha Bay and rugged coastline however there is no formal parking spaces provided only road side parking on the grass verge. Therefore, it is recommended to provide new end-on parking spaces overlooking the bay to allow visitors to enjoy the view even in bad weather. There is adequate space to provide up to 10 spaces adjacent to the existing memorial.  

The existing interpretation boards at the site are somewhat faded and it is difficult to read. It is recommended that these could be repaired and/or updated/supplemented with additional interpretation material from this project.

It is recommended that the provision of cycle parking should be considered at this site.

The following three statements apply to all site recommendations:

• ‘All proposals must comply with all planning, local authority and other statutory requirements.’
• ‘All proposals for development within, adjacent to or with the potential to affect a Natura 2000 site will be subject to an Appropriate Assessment Screening. To ensure that a Habitat Directive Assessment is carried out to assess the likely impacts on Natura 2000 sites in order to comply with Article 6(3) of the Habitat Directive and in accordance with the requirements of the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.’
• ‘All projects must be undertaken in accordance with the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points Remedial Works Guidelines, including the Ecological Method Statement.’

1) Interview with Ailish Connolly

2) Review of OSi Discovery and Historical Maps

3) Online Research

• www.loophead.ie
• www.limerickcity.ie
• www.clarelibrary.ie