Best pilot book/cruising guide for N/W/S coasts Ireland

[rotrax]

We used Imrays Irish sea pilot for North and East, the David Rainsbury edition, current available for £10 second hand. Little will have changed and you are using it for assistance not navigation. As much of route up start of Irish east coast is inside the grounds a moderate easterly is sheltered by the banks

Never done the West side so dont know about that. Its crinklier and exposed to the prevailing westerlies therefore maybe more challenging.

Really there are no navigational issue on the east coast and few pilotage issue just knowing which fishing ports wont accept you except in full scale storm. Kilmore Quay a better start more than Dunmore East then trundle up to Arklow, Wicklow (Wexford nice too if you wait for tide rise across the bar and are under 1.8m draft) and any one of 4 harbours in the Dublin area, or all 4 if you want to spend more time there and access Dublin via the Dart tram.

Things a bit more small scale and sparse in N Ireland but the only thing of concern is getting round Fairhead in slack on the way to Ballycastle as has giant whirlpools which give amusement in quiet tide or weather but can make horrendous troubled water in strong wind over tide.

We did Cargreen (Saltash) to Iona and the inner Hebrides in a slow 27ft the previous year but we came back via the Crinnan Canal and Clyde cruising grounds as that was all we could fit in in 3 months. Dont ignore I of Man if you are an island ticker

Been in to Wexford in a 1.3 Metre draught long keeler. It was touch and go, almost six miles through the shifting channels.

Once in, lovely. Great sailing/tennis club above the bridge, nice town with a terrific Opera House in a back street.

Consult the Harbourmaster for latest bouyage-it changes real quick! We got regular updates from Captain Phil Murphy, HM at Kilmore Quay.

Not to be undertaken lightly IMHO.

 

[Sandy]

Starting to plan trip to NW Scotland from Plymouth roughly late April to end August. Will (probably) go up east coast on way up (Kilmore Quay to Rathlin) but I’m aiming to come down west coast on the return trip.
Any recommendations on cruising guides?
I don’t suppose there is an equivalent to the Antares charts for NWScotland?

Drop in to Marine Charts, Guides & Books Plymouth | Speedy Delivery at QAB, Alice has an encyclopaedic knowledge, she was the manager at Sea Chest for years.

I am a frequent customer.

 

[eddystone]

Would be great if you were to create a sailing travellog .
Have enjoyed many for Scotand but there are very few for the west coast of Ireland. I expect that Atlantic waves throwing boulders a few hundred feet to cliff tops might put a few off. Probaly not many bolt holes exist but would be great to hear about it.

I’m sure going anti-clockwise down the west coast of Ireland would be a hard slog even in August, especially Malin Head to Galway Bay with not so many refuges.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I’m sure going anti-clockwise down the west coast of Ireland would be a hard slog even in August, especially Malin Head to Galway Bay with not so many refuges.

Would be nice to hear from folks that keep a boat on the Western side of Ireland.