Tra Na Steile

Like so many of the hidden coves along the Copper Coast in Waterford this gem has some stunning sea stacks running along the low water line.

Its located to the west of Bunmahon and access (if you can call it that) is via the cliff walk beyond Tra Na Mbo, in itself a stunning little cove (see info here). The main issue here is access to sea level which is very difficult. I found a route down from behind the cove (which I wont recommend due to the difficulty, particularly on the way back up. There is also access via a cave at low tide, but beware of being cut off very easily.

Once you’re down the beach there are a few angles to explore. You can capture a lot as you shot west but there are also individual stacks that you can isolate for more simple compositions. The images in this post were captured over about 5 trips down at both dawn and sunset, with best light at dawn for most of the year. Low tide is probably the best time to shoot here as a lot of the beach is inaccessible at high tide. 

On one of the occasions on this beach I did have a slight issue, after parking at Tra a Mbo I headed onto the beach, for sunset. A local dog walker on seeing my car with no sign of me decided to notify the Bunmahon search and rescue. They promptly sent 2 volunteers out to find me and spotted me on this beach. Once I saw them hanging around on the cliff I felt they could have an interest in me so headed back up out of the beach. A quick word with them soon clarified the situation and there was no cause for concern. While I didn’t have any issue I felt quite embarrassed that these guys went out of their way for a complete stranger and it goes to show the great work these and other volunteer rescue groups do. A huge thank you for them for their concern and also to the dog walker who rang it in.  Maybe I should leave a note on the car in future

Kieran