Surfing A-OK…
here’s something both terrifying and titillating about a great big 
wave crashing into Greystones shoreline.
here’s something both terrifying and titillating about a great big 
wave crashing into Greystones shoreline.Like nautical fireworks, you never know which of these waves will hit the biggest height.
Or, if you’re very, very lucky, drench that lad just over there with the expensive camera.
Fearghal Breathnach
There was a time when the old harbour wall offered the perfect hard ass for that Irish Sea to slap hard once the wind was a blowin’ in the right direction. Some of the braver/dumber souls would dare each other to walk that wall as the waves hit ever harder and higher, with, thankfully, this regular game of Greystones Roulette only ever managing to give our slower denizens a few days in bed with a cold.
There were tragedies amidst these storms too, of course, people lost to the sea forever. Plus, the loss of two coal-carrying vessels, Arthur Evan’s schooner Vellinhelli and the English ketch, Reciprocity – pictured below – in October 1910, as well as the destruction of the North Beach cottages.
There were tragedies amidst these storms too, of course, people lost to the sea forever. Plus, the loss of two coal-carrying vessels, Arthur Evan’s schooner Vellinhelli and the English ketch, Reciprocity – pictured below – in October 1910, as well as the destruction of the 
We’ve been collecting shots of those heady harbour waves, along with the occasional battering of The Cove, over the last five years, and now we’ve pulled them all together. For one great big splash.
If you have any shots of Greystones getting all wet and wild – such as 2017’s Greystones Rocks winner [above, right] – send ’em in to [email protected], and we’ll be sure to make room in the boat for you…
Wave On 7DEC21 Vlad Bodarev
Storm Ingrid hits town SUN25JAN26 Vlad Bodarev
Storm Barra 8DEC21 Aoife Hester
Take that, Cove! 2021. Pic: Pablo
Cove Gets A Slap TUES5NOV19 Liz Cusack
Bigger Splash SAT30JAN21 Vlad Bodarev
Shot From Both Sides SAT30JAN21 Phil McDarby
Storm Herminia SUN26JAN25 Vlad Bodarev
August’s End by Ian McCann
Bigger Splash SAT30JAN21 John Brady
Fisherman’s Car Wash SAT30JAN21 John Gerrard
Wave On by Trysha Fitzmaurice 2018
Surf’s Up by John McKiernan
The Battering by Luke McGuinness DEC78
The Battering by Luke McGuinness DEC78 #2
The Battering by Luke McGuinness APR78 #3
Take That! Jackie O’Brien 1980s
On The Lash early 1960s. Source: Derek Paine
A mighty wave… 1962
Harbour Blowhole 1970s. We think.
Run! Feb 2016. Pic: Eamon Flynn
Stormy Harbour Jan 2007. Pic: Michael Martin
Fishing Without Fear 1990s. Pic: Anne Stanley
Harbour Wall Takes A Beating 1990s. Pic: Anne Stanley
Harbour Wall Takes A Beating 1990s. Pic: Anne Stanley #2
Cove Sept 2014 Michal Bialis
Overwhelmed 2FEB17 Siobhan Venables
Wave Goodbye 13FEB17 Brian Keeley
Big Boy 13FEB17 Pablo
Big Boy #2 13FEB17 Pablo
Wave Bye-Bye 24NOV16 Brian Keeley
Big World 16APR16 Brian Keeley
Gold In Dem There Hills 17JAN19 Brian Keeley
The Men’s 13FEB20 Pablo
Snow Day #3 South Beach 2MAR18 Pablo
Big Up! 14MAR16 Pablo
Storm Ciara Slaps The Cove 8FEB20 Rob Atkinson
Buckets 14FEB18 Pablo
Slow Train Coming 21OCT16 Brian Keeley
Christmas Tree 1970s Anne Hogan
Before The Storm 20MAY17 Flynnstones