Laytown now a sheltered cove was once a proud port and one man is determined to return the area to its former glory.
Willow Campbell is a man dedicated to the improvement of his locality. Meath County Council are coming round to the idea that Laytown harbour is a place worth investing in.
The peaceful cove at Laytown, County Meath is where the river Nanny flows into the Irish Sea. Local legend says that it was here Saint Patrick first landed when he first came to Ireland. A plague in the 12th century wiped out much of the population, but over the centuries life improved, people returned and a harbour was built.
There is no sign of that harbour today, and only a few boats are moored here. It is hard to believe that Laytown was once a busy little port. Much of its business was not strictly legal however, as it became a haven for smugglers. The law eventually caught up with the industrious bootleggers, and punishment was duly meted out. The granite pier was removed stone by stone in the 19th century and allegedly rebuilt on the west coast of England.
River Nanny estuary and Laytown Viaduct (1969)
Local man Willow Campbell is Laytown’s acting Harbour Master. He has put a lot of time and his own resources into improving the harbour site, removing rubbish, building a roadway to it, and plans to dredge part of it in the coming months. He does not think there is any reason why Laytown should not have a pier.
It is no different than Skerries, Balbriggan, Rush. They are all tidal harbours up along the coast.
Willow Campbell, Laytown (1969)
Word of Willow Campbell's work has got around, and last summer there were pleasure boats of all descriptions at Laytown. Problems arose when
The harbour got congested, and with the waterskiing it got a wee bit dangerous.
In his capacity as acting harbour master Willow Campbell was there to keep an eye on things. He has been in contact with the local development body and Meath County Council with regard to putting regulations of some sort in place, because the tourists have started to come.
This is actually making Laytown as a tourist resort, this harbour.
The good news is that Meath County Council has now shown an interest, and there is talk of a development plan for the village. Willow Campbell is pleased that his work is being recognised but development or not, there is a need for a harbour master, because Laytown is being used by more tourists and boating enthusiasts,
Somebody has got to make the rules, where to moor boats, how to moor them, keep the waterways clear and keep the boats in order and have no trouble.
This report for ‘Newsbeat’ was broadcast on 5 February 1969. The reporter is Colin Bird.
'Newsbeat' was a half-hour feature programme presented by Frank Hall and ran for 7 years from September 1964 to June 1971. 'Newsbeat' went out from Monday to Friday on RTÉ television and reported on current affairs and issues of local interest from around Ireland. The final programme was broadcast on the 11 June, 1971.
