Black and white photograph of the Sunbeam Shipwreck on a sandy beach in County Kerry, Ireland, under dramatic skies

A Lost Piece of History: The Sunbeam Shipwreck

The Sunbeam shipwreck on Rossbeigh Beach, County Kerry, has long been a powerful reminder of nature’s force and the passage of time. Built-in 1860 in  Exmouth, England, this wooden schooner met its fate on January 1, 1903, when a fierce storm drove it ashore during a voyage from Kinvara to Cork. Thankfully, everyone on board survived.

A long console table with two navy vases and above is hung framed photography print of Irish coastal landscape. The wreck of ship in a focal point. behind hills and ocean. Wild Atlantic Way. Rossbeigh Beach. Kerry. Ireland.

I’ve had the privilege of photographing the Sunbeam over the years. Each visit was different—sometimes the shifting sands buried most of the wreck, and other times, it stood fully exposed. In January 2014, a  powerful storm unearthed the ship, moving it over 100 meters up the beach. It was incredible to witness it!

Then, in January 2025, Storm Éowyn struck the Irish coast with unprecedented force. When I returned to Rossbeigh Beach shortly after, I was stunned—the Sunbeam was gone. Not a single trace remained.

This moment was a powerful reminder of how fleeting things can be. Photography has allowed me to document the ship’s story, preserving its memory even as the physical wreck disappears. I’ve captured the Sunbeam’s changing presence on the beach!

Nice and big yellow sofa and above it black and white photograph of Irish landscape. Fine Art. Wild Atlantic Way. The Sunbeam Wreck. Kerry. Ireland

I offer fine art prints of the Sunbeam shipwreck. These images are more than just photographs—they are a tribute to the ever-changing beauty of nature and the stories that might otherwise be lost to time.

Even though the sands of Rossbeigh continue to shift, the Sunbeam’s story lives on.

 

irishshipwrecks.com here you can find more info about Irish shipwrecks.

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