ROSSBEIGH, CO. KERRY
Rossbeigh progrades into Dingle Bay from the north coast of the Iveragh peninsula. It is characterised by a series of dune ridges orientated in the direction of the prevailing wind, sometimes merging into parabolics.
Dune erosion at Rossbeigh is primarily storm driven. In 2008, a major storm resulted in breaching of the distal end of the spit, creating a new tidal inlet. Dune erosion has accelerated since, and more than 10 ha of dunes have disappeared. The impacts of breaching on the estuary (Castlemaine Harbour) are the subject of ongoing research by UCCs Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (see O'Shea et al., 2012 and O'Shea and Murphy, 2013).
The general location of terrestrial laser scanning surveys and sediment sampling carried out during this research is an approximately 100 m x 50 m area at the northernmost end of the mainland part of the barrier (area enclosed by box on map shown top right).
Digital elevation model (DEM) showing dunescape at Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry. The area enclosed by the box denotes the general location of TLS surveys. The black line shows the coastline in 2007, prior to breaching.
Top: Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry, September 2008, prior to Dec. 2008 storm
Bottom: Rossbeigh, Co. Kerry, July 2009, breach caused by Dec. 2008 storm; area enclosed by box is denotes general location of TLS surveys