Advice crossing Irish Sea

[Quandary]

There have been several threads on the Campbeltown Bangor timing
Bending Quandary’s ear on a PM may be of value

It is simple, you leave C'town in time to be at the Paterson rock buoy, ( NW corner of Sanda) at low water. I allow 5-6 hours in a 30' boat to get from Sanda to Bangor, but it will be quicker at springs.
Unless you particularly want to visit Glenarm there is no advantage in going there but if you do the timing is dictated by the tide through Sanda Sound but you do not get the big push down the N. Channel because you are crossing the flow. From Glenarm to Bangor the tides are a bit weaker inshore but accelerate quite a bit around Muck Island. Glenarm is a small declining village with pontoons in a good sheltered harbour, guillemots nest in the limestone harbour walls and the pub will order a carry out if you are hungry. Belfast tides are close to Dover (and Greenock) near enough for passage timing.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

East Coast of Ireland makes more sense to me, generally more shelter and refuges and nearer the Scillies in the end. I've not done all the harbours but Howth, Dun Laoghaire , Arklow and Kilmore Quay are all OK. Peel on the IOM might not be too far out of the way. Kilmore Quay is OK once inside but the approach is exposed and requires care but has the best leading lights/marks I've ever seen.

Courtown about 20m north of Wexford is a fine mini harbour in a canalised inlet. No facilities but the local gift shop but somewhere to stop. I also like Dunmore East with its friendly yacht club about 25miles past Kilmore, though that doesnt save any distance either to Milford or Padstow