Eire and Scotland trip

[Caladh]

We are looking to this this next year at a leisurely pace from the South Coast. No doubt some of you have done this but which way to go around the Irish coast ? Recommendations about things not to miss (and miss) other than the rocks would be useful. Just starting the planning stage !

 

[sogood]

As a resident of Kenmare in the south west of Ireland, I strongly recommend the whole south west. From Kinsale up to Galway and all it has to offer.

 

[awol]

Pop across to France first and fill up with wine, cheese, saucisson, etc. before crossing to Eire. Make sure you stop in Noriron before Scotland then spread your largesse of wine, fromage and charcuterie amongst the deprived Scots.

 

[dunedin]

We are looking to this this next year at a leisurely pace from the South Coast. No doubt some of you have done this but which way to go around the Irish coast ? Recommendations about things not to miss (and miss) other than the rocks would be useful. Just starting the planning stage !

When are you planning on leaving from the South Coast? And are you planning to over winter in Celtic waters or return south?

To do justice to the west side of Ireland I would think needs 4-6 weeks. To get the best of Scotland West Coast needs 6-8 weeks (more if include Orkney and Shetland). And most years might be better in a Scotland in a May - June than July -August (though this clearly varies each year).
If a one season trip returning south, might need to decide whether doing
(a) Irish West coast (anti-clockwise) and a light flavour of South West Scotland; or
(b) faster sail up the Irish Sea and a more in depth cruise of Scotland.
If a two year trip then plenty of time up the west side of Ireland and a Scottish cruise, then overwinter perhaps in the Clyde

Frankly there are a million and one options. And thousands of lovely anchorages, too many to mention. Put the Irish Sailing Directions and Clyde Cruising Club pilot books on your Christmas list and start browsing.

 

[Caladh]

When are you planning on leaving from the South Coast? And are you planning to over winter in Celtic waters or return south?

To do justice to the west side of Ireland I would think needs 4-6 weeks. To get the best of Scotland West Coast needs 6-8 weeks (more if include Orkney and Shetland). And most years might be better in a Scotland in a May - June than July -August (though this clearly varies each year).
If a one season trip returning south, might need to decide whether doing
(a) Irish West coast (anti-clockwise) and a light flavour of South West Scotland; or
(b) faster sail up the Irish Sea and a more in depth cruise of Scotland.
If a two year trip then plenty of time up the west side of Ireland and a Scottish cruise, then overwinter perhaps in the Clyde

Frankly there are a million and one options. And thousands of lovely anchorages, too many to mention. Put the Irish Sailing Directions and Clyde Cruising Club pilot books on your Christmas list and start browsing.

Probably leaving the boat in Scotland so a 2 year trip unless we get really hooked !

 

[rotrax]

Bangor Marina is a good spot to overwinter. Deals can be made.

Handy airport at nearby Belfast.

You could spend a month in Strangford Lough alone!

We have done your trip, loved it, planning next season on Ireland's East Coast and the IOM.

We shall come back to Littlehampton after the Classic TT and Manx GP.

 

[pandos]

Don't miss out on dunmore east, a trip up the river to New Ross, and then from Cork the whole way up the west coast is super... obviously I am biased..

Good idea to drop over to France and stock up on wines etc before heading to Ireland....

 

[awol]

Good idea to drop over to France and stock up on wines etc before heading to Ireland....

You must pop into Noriron though to avoid the Excise when you finally hit GB.

 

[roblpm]

Pop across to France first and fill up with wine, cheese, saucisson, etc. before crossing to Eire. Make sure you stop in Noriron before Scotland then spread your largesse of wine, fromage and charcuterie amongst the deprived Scots.

Yes the shelves are actually pretty empty in Scotland at the moment. I'm not joking.....

 

[awol]

Yes the shelves are actually pretty empty in Scotland at the moment. I'm not joking.....

Careful!

 

[pandos]

You must pop into Noriron though to avoid the Excise when you finally hit GB.

That sounds correct,

Do french/EU suppliers sell vat and excise free to UK boats?

I wonder what is the story with a UK boat filling up in France and sailing into UK waters,.( Maybe the Scillies)..full of French alcohol and ciggies, and then leaving to go back to EU...and onto NI.

Maybe better to write some pages of the log in pencil...

 

[awol]

That sounds correct,

Do french/EU suppliers sell vat and excise free to UK boats?

I wonder what is the story with a UK boat filling up in France and sailing into UK waters,.( Maybe the Scillies)..full of French alcohol and ciggies, and then leaving to go back to EU...and onto NI.

Maybe better to write some pages of the log in pencil...

AIUI you can buy duty free in France but only in the allowed quantities for uk and you can't take it to Eire. You can buy any quantity you like of excise paid goodies in France and take them to GB via Eire and Noriron but don't stop in any other bit of Brit Isles first otherwise you are back to the allowance and duty.

 

[roblpm]

AIUI you can buy duty free in France but only in the allowed quantities for uk and you can't take it to Eire. You can buy any quantity you like of excise paid goodies in France and take them to GB via Eire and Noriron but don't stop in any other bit of Brit Isles first otherwise you are back to the allowance and duty.

Careful.....?

 

[pandos]

Careful.....?

I still wonder if passing into UK waters is enough to be nailed with excessive amounts of EU duty paid goodies. Or do you actually need to land?

.. I know in the past there was a bonded store on a boat I sailed on which was opened when outside Irish 12mile limit and that was vat and excise free...

So I wonder can you get large amounts of UK goods excise and vat free if heading offshore from UK ?

 

[Dino]

I would recommend hopping over to Dunmore East, then a few days in Cork Harbour with a night or two in Cork City. Then Kinsale is a great foodie spot for a few nights. Then you are into West Cork with Glandore, Courtmacsherry, Baltimore, Schull, Crookhaven and loads of fab places in between. Kerry is equally beautiful. Check out all the big inlets/bays like Bantry Bay and Kenmare Bay. I cruised this area last year and the highlights were Dromquinna and Bunaw/Kilmakilloge on Kenmare Bay along with Crookhaven and Knightstown on Valentia Island.
www.eoceanic.com has fantastic free information on almost every harbour and anchorage in Ireland and you should really put the ICC Sailing Directions of the South & West Coast of Ireland on your Christmas list.

 

[pandos]

I would recommend hopping over to Dunmore East, then a few days in Cork Harbour with a night or two in Cork City. Then Kinsale is a great foodie spot for a few nights. Then you are into West Cork with Glandore, Courtmacsherry, Baltimore, Schull, Crookhaven and loads of fab places in between. Kerry is equally beautiful. Check out all the big inlets/bays like Bantry Bay and Kenmare Bay. I cruised this area last year and the highlights were Dromquinna and Bunaw/Kilmakilloge on Kenmare Bay along with Crookhaven and Knightstown on Valentia Island.
www.eoceanic.com has fantastic free information on almost every harbour and anchorage in Ireland and you should really put the ICC Sailing Directions of the South & West Coast of Ireland on your Christmas list.

To add to this go up into Glengarriff, Omnicron permitting, spend a few days on the beer on Bear island...(get up early go to pub...order Guinness, drink pint..., repeat, ....return to boat carefully in the dark??

 

[Dino]

I agree, Glengarriff is lovely, as is Bantry with its new marina. The walk from Lawrence Cove around the east end of Beare Island is spectacular also. plenty of daylight on the west coast in mid summer so great long evenings for pints

To add to this go up into Glengarriff, Omnicron permitting, spend a few days on the beer on Bear island...(get up early go to pub...order Guinness, drink pint..., repeat, ....return to boat carefully in the dark??

 

[Caladh]

I would recommend hopping over to Dunmore East, then a few days in Cork Harbour with a night or two in Cork City. Then Kinsale is a great foodie spot for a few nights. Then you are into West Cork with Glandore, Courtmacsherry, Baltimore, Schull, Crookhaven and loads of fab places in between. Kerry is equally beautiful. Check out all the big inlets/bays like Bantry Bay and Kenmare Bay. I cruised this area last year and the highlights were Dromquinna and Bunaw/Kilmakilloge on Kenmare Bay along with Crookhaven and Knightstown on Valentia Island.
www.eoceanic.com has fantastic free information on almost every harbour and anchorage in Ireland and you should really put the ICC Sailing Directions of the South & West Coast of Ireland on your Christmas list.

Excellent just what we are looking* for. Thanks.

 

[rotrax]

Whatever you do dont miss going into Derrynane.

The entrance is not as tricky as the impression from the pilot books. The music night and crab sandwiches at the tiny bar are great too.

And the Guinness - did I mention the Guinness.............................