Dublin area marinas

[mick]

Heading soon for Dublin. Intend to stay a few days in either Howth or Dun Laoghaire. Possibly Dublin City. Which would you recommend?

 

[Jonny_H]

Just got back from there. Both are excellent and within walking distance of the Dart (which takes 20 mins from either to get to the city centre).

Dun Laoghaire - massive marina, 37 footer cost €44 per night (elec is extra). Nice town and chandler (although mainly dinghy focused) within walking distance, also a Tesco and M&S Food within walking distance. You can also moor at one of the yacht clubs (the National I know has a pontoon with facilities - about €40 per night last year - and free wifi).

Howth - Big marina, very nice yacht club, 37 footer was €35 per night incl electric last week. Town is much smaller, but there is an excellent chandlers (they sell some trawler supplies so seem to be cheaper than most chandlers), there is a Spar but no supermarket within walking distance.

Dublin City - Never been - much harder to get into as the shipping is very busy in the bay and you need to get the timings right to go through the bridges etc. No idea on cost, but for the hassle I would recommend Howth or Dun Laoghaire - Dart is roughly €3 return from either to the city.

Personally - I would go Howth - nicer town, cheaper marina, nice yacht club (Sunday lunch is out of this world!), better chandler, but no proper supermarket and internet access is in the library up the hill.

Hope this helps

Jonny

 

[Juggler7823]

Malhide marina is not too far away. Its quieter and cheaper than both DL and Howth. many places to eat and drink Located on dart

 

[Jonny_H]

Agreed - forgot about Malahide - only problem is that you have to be more careful about getting in at the right state of tide (plenty of tidal window, but there are times you shouldn't enter). Howth and Dun Laoghaire are accessible at any state of the tide.

If entering at night I would suggest Dun Laoghaire would be a slightly easier entrance than Howth - although both are easily possible.

Jonny

 

[AngusMcDoon]

If you are going into Dublin City itself by the Dart, they are more frequent from Dun Laoghaire than from Howth or Malahide. The Northern Dart line splits South of Howth and Malahide, whereas every Dart in the Greystones direction goes through Dun Laoghaire.

There are 4 ferry movements a day in Dun Laoghaire harbour to avoid, but the times are regular. See Stena's website for times.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Personally I'd go for Howth rather than Dun Laoghaire because its a bit smaller.

Went up to Dublin city last summer (if you can call it that) - certainly worth it for a night or 2 if you have a bit of time to spare. Right in the centre of Dublin - everythings within walking distance. 24hr security at the pontoon. Trip up the river is interesting in an industrial sort of way.

As other have said - need to coordinate with the bridge lifting (3-4 times a day ?) - so not the best for a quick ovenight stop - but certainly good if the weather isn't that great.

 

[mick]

Thanks, everyone. I know Dublin well, but this will be the first time by boat.

 

[SpaceCygnet]

I live in Dublin. I keep my boat in Howth marina over the Winter and on a swinging mooring in Dun Laoghaire during the Summer. Howth marina is owned by the local Sailing Club. It is much smaller and I would have to say, is probably more friendlier and welcoming. Dun Laoghaire is a little easier to access, so if late at night, its probably a better option. Howth is a fishing port, Dun Loghaire a ferry port - although neither causes any real concern for yachts and leisure craft. There is a large fleet of yachts that race out of Dun Laoghaire on Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoon if that is of any interest to you. All considered, if I was visiting, I probably would go for Howth. If you have any other questions, let me know and I'll try to answer.

 

[Dyflin]

I keep my boat in Dun Laoghaire and am going to have to refute the friendliness comment regarding Howth vs DL. I have found the DL lads to be extremely friendly and chatty. The scottish guy will for example will always pop over to a boat if he sees a St Andrews Cross flying on a boat. To be fair to them, it's a big marina and so they can get busy at times. Howth, I have heard, will refuse visitors as they may be full, so DL although bigger will always have space. Also, I was disappointed to see the fairway widths they have in Howth marina, the phrase "knickers tight" wouldn't be far out...

I am relieved to also report that there areonly two ferry movements a day now (although they always seem to coincide with us /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )

Also the harbour have a great website with maps for visiting boats and webcams to see current weather and traffic conditions. I have to say we're very happy in DL.

 

[mick]

Gerry, I hope I haven't started a fight between you nice Dubliners on the relative merits of Howth/D.L. My wife and I have a connection with Killiney and would love to anchor there or thereabouts for a short stop, possibly even a lunch break. Is this possible/wise?

 

[Dyflin]

While the question wasn't directed at me, I'll throw in a few pics to illustrate the best spots to anchor in;

(Not responsible for the title /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

Just below Sorento Terrace, perfect for a quiet time on the hook (not recommended to leave boat unattended)

Also, Dalkey Sound:

with Martello Tower on Dalkey Island.

Finally, just in front of Sandycove harbour:

All the anchorages in and around Dublin are good as long as there's not a E in the wind direction.

 

[mick]

Thanks very much for the pics. Happy memories of all these places. Can't wait.

 

[Robin2]

Nobody has mentioned Poolbeg marina. Its in the Liffey on the south bank before you get to the toll bridge. Its right across from the port, so its fun if you like watching ships doing U turns 20 metres away. The clubhouse has a bar so you can have a drink right by the river.

On the other hand its further from the city centre and even small shops are about 15 minutes walk. And the showers, toilets etc are not accessible when the clubhouse is closed.

While the port is busy it tends to be at regular times and Dublin Port Radio are very helpful. There are simple rules for routing small craft in an out.

 

[dt4134]

Deeper draught boats can find Howth a bit awkward at low tide, but I don't expect you'll have problems with a Sadler 26. Best not to take the short cut inside the inner breakwater, even if you see a local boat doing it. And also watch out for the sides of the dredged area in the marina being very steep sided.

The other thing to be aware of is that the ICRA Nationals are due to take place there 16th-18th May so Howth is likely to be very full that weekend.

 

[Jonny_H]

We draw 6 foot and have never had a problem sticking to the main channel in Howth - although admit that at times we got down to 0.1 metres under the keel! The posts in the channel tend to lean over quite a lot at low water so they force you to stick to the middle of the channel which seems to have a good depth.

Seen a boat hit the bottom by cutting across the inner breakwater - and have always personally followed the main channel in (plenty of big signs point the way once your inside the breakwater!).

Jonny

 

[dt4134]

Certainly known it to be a problem at 2.2m draught.

 

[davidrainsbury]

I would go to Poolbeg Yacht Club's marina. Enter Dublin Harbour and it is to port a quarter of a mile before the lifting bridge. Very friendly club, good facilities, reasonable rates and within walking distance of town along the beautifully refurbished riverside. Last time there my crew and I got a taxi to town and did a pub crawl back, falling into very bar that had live music.
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