Day sailing up the Irish Sea

[Twister_Ken]

Have been invited to go to Strangford Loch next year, and I fancy taking the scenic route.

Any recommendations on overnight stops with pubs/showers between Dunmore East (probable landfall) and Strangford?

 

[Jeremy_W]

Howth Yacht Club Marina

All the basics of a marina and a very welcoming yacht club bar.

 

[salamicollie]

Re: Howth Yacht Club Marina

Try (from S to N)
Arklow - small new marina hidden away- entrance to harbour is a little interesting in S NElys

Wicklow - no marina, just a wall (outer harbour has plenty of water) but friendly club and excellent restraunt at Rugatino's

Ardglass - Small friendly Marina good if Strangford entrance looks like it might be iffy - hidden behind large fishing harbour - be careful in a approach at LWS the channel is narrow

send me a PM if you want some info

 

[david_e]

Concur on Howth, some lovely restaurants there as well the club. There is a website on the area with photos etc.

 

[kdf]

Heading East and North from Dunmore East-

- Kilmore Quay. Nice little marina, nice pub with good food.
-Arklow. New marina and snug.
-Wicklow. Just a wall but not a bad place.
-Dun Laoghaire. New 700 berth marina (really nice). Good new restaurants (Rolys!)
- Howth. Really good.
- Try Carlingford. Marina is getting a lot better there.

 

[claymore]

Ardglass

Is the best place to wait for the tide to go into Strangford. Its an easy hop from there - In Strangford itself try Portaferry - pontoons there and just tucked out of the main tide. The Fiddlers Green is just up the hill so you can roll down afterwards! At the top end of Strangford - Daft Eddy's at Sketrick isn't what it was but still worth a visit.


regards
Claymore

 

[vyv_cox]

I have spent many a night in Dunmore East, mostly alongside fishing boats, but not in the past seven years. I read only last week that relations between fishing and leisure boats are now at an all time low, and that yachts are not very welcome there. Hope that is wrong, but maybe someone else can advise.

The trip up the river to Waterford is worth taking if weather-bound. Otherwise, Rosslare used to be interesting if the weather suits, the old berthing was alongside an abandoned fishing boat. Arklow and Wicklow are both super places and I believe the former now has a marina. When I was last there the berthing fees were 6 pounds a night or 6 pounds a week.

I've never berthed at Howth but many of my fellow club members rate it very highly.

Carlingford Loch is also a favourite of many. Ardglass was very nice when I was last there, just after the marina opened. Strangford itself is fantastic, but you need a good chart and to follow it precisely.

Of course, you could also go up the Welsh side and see some really scenic places!

 

[extravert]

I think just about everywhere has been mentioned, apart from Rosslare. There are no facilities for yachts and there's no normal reason you'd want to go there, unless it's blowing a hoolie from the South or West. In that situation it's a wide deep entrance and good shelter. You have to contact the harbour master as there are ferries coming and going, but when we needed shelter in a westerly gale they were really helpful and even held up the ferry movements for a few minutes to let us get in.

 

[timevans2000]

Dont go to Dunmore East. You wont be made welcome. Kilmore Quay has a marina if you like that sort of thing but I wouldnt stay more than one night cos not a lot there. Arklow is good. You can go in the fish dock for £6 for 4 nights! You tie up along side retired fishing boats. The tidal range is only one metre. You can use the RNLI shower and toilet. They are very friendly people. I wouldnt go in the marina as it is expensive and you miss some of the charm of Arklow.

Wicklow is great. Good food, good pubs and a friendly sailing club with usual facilities.

Malahide is worth a visit. It has a very nice marina with lots of space for visitors, Howth does not and I have been turned away twice cos they were full!

Strangford is super. All the clubs we visited there were incredibly friendly. In fact probably the most welcoming people I have ever met! Have a good trip

 

[Jules]

You'll not be welcome calling Strangford a "Loch"! Come midweek to The Quoile Yacht Club pontoon, or anytime on Visitor's moorings. Small donation please. Talk to me nearer the time and i'll help if I can.