Barleycove beach, which local lore has it, appeared overnight, is one of the biggest attractions for Mizen holiday-makers. The beach faces due south and the sea is always active, sometimes active enough for surfing. The beach’s origin has been much argued over, however, the evidence now points to the local lore being correct. A local geologist, Anthony Beese, has identified compelling evidence that the beach and dunes were created as a result of one of Europe’s greatest natural disasters, the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, the most destructive in European history.

The earthquake’s epicentre was in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Lisbon, and it struck on the morning of 1 November, 1755, at approximately 09:40 local time with an estimated force of 8.7—9 on the Richter Scale and lasted between three and a half and six minutes, five metre fissures were opened in the ground. By comparison, the earthquake that struck Japan in 2011 registered 9.0 on the Richter scale.

The death toll in Lisbon was enormous. 1 November is a church holiday, All Saints Day. Churches filled with people collapsed. Out of a population of approximately 200,000, between 30,000—40,000 were killed. Fires started by altar candles being knocked over swept through the city. Eight-five percent of the city’s buildings were destroyed.

If you would like to know more about the Overnight Beach: www.buythebook.ie/this-is-the-mizen/