Ireland

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We're thinking of spending next summer cruising Ireland. First look at the East coast suggests it is shallow and not great for a 1.9m fin keeler so getting some SW Ireland pilots to have a look there. Are there any Irish cruisers hereabouts who could offer some high level guidance of where to go and what cruising plans we might adopt?

Rob
 
Robih said:
We're thinking of spending next summer cruising Ireland. First look at the East coast suggests it is shallow and not great for a 1.9m fin keeler so getting some SW Ireland pilots to have a look there. Are there any Irish cruisers hereabouts who could offer some high level guidance of where to go and what cruising plans we might adopt?

Rob
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Hi, depends a lot on what you're looking for and how long you've got !! The East coast has more to offer by way of marinas with Bangor, Ardglass, Carlingford, Malahide, Howth, Dun Laoghaire and Arklow. In between those places there ain't too many places that could take you comfortably. IMHO, the south coast offers much finer cruising but not too many marinas so you'll be more dependent on anchorages, moorings, etc.

Take a look here for some more info : http://www.inyourfootsteps.com/

Hope this is of some use !
 
The banks are shallow up the east coast but there is plenty of water for a fin keeler inside them. Very pleasant cruising area, although for preference I would probably pick the south coast. It gets better the further west you go, but it's all good.

Weather is probably the biggest factor, with prevailing south-westerlies you could spend some time holed up along the south coast, whereas the east is largely sheltered.
 
vyv_cox said:
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Weather is probably the biggest factor, with prevailing south-westerlies you could spend some time holed up along the south coast, whereas the east is largely sheltered.
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being holed up is fine as long as I can safely leave the boat for a fortnight whilst I go back to the office to do some work for a bit. I guess safe havens are in short supply on the south coast though? Do you have any knowledge of the accessibility of wifi and/or mobile signals in the area? No chance? Probably okay near the bigger towns I guess.
 
West Cork is the best imo. Loads of great places to visit, islands, forests of kelp, the lot basically. Cape Clear island is worth a visit and Kinsale, Crookhaven & Glandore are also favourites. We cruised there a lot when I was a kid. Schull is a good base if you want a larger town with some life. You can start at Cork Harbour and work your way all the way to Kerry.
 
Robih said:
being holed up is fine as long as I can safely leave the boat for a fortnight whilst I go back to the office to do some work for a bit. I guess safe havens are in short supply on the south coast though? Do you have any knowledge of the accessibility of wifi and/or mobile signals in the area? No chance? Probably okay near the bigger towns I guess.
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Wifi hadn't been invented when I was last there! We were still on Decca, which could be guaranteed to fail just when it was most needed, like when we rounded Carnsore Point into a NE force 6.

Several good safe places on the south coast though, and more since I was last there. Kinsale is good, Cork is superb.
 
Robih said:
Do you have any knowledge of the accessibility of wifi and/or mobile signals in the area? No chance? Probably okay near the bigger towns I guess.
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Mobile phone signals are fine pretty well everywhere now, usually up to about 5 miles offshore and you'll find wifi in lots of pubs, cafes, hotels, etc.
 
As said, not many marinas as you head west, although Kinsale and Crosshaven (3) are notable exceptions. Plenty of boats are left there. You may well find moorings available in other places, and you're almost guaranteed a friendly welcome.

It's really westwards from Cork/Crosshaven that the scenery becomes at its best. Assuming you'd be crossing from Land's End or the Scillies, make as much westing as you can on that leg. As Vyv said, bashing westwards down the coast can be hard work (I once did it from IoM via Brittany...long story). He's also right in his comments about the east coast, although scenically there's no comparison with the south and west (Carlingford being a modest exception).

The 'standard' pilots are the two heft 'Sailing Directions' tomes of the Irish Cruising Club, although I think Imray may now actually publish them. One covers the N&E coasts, the other the S &W. Imray's own and relatively recent Irish Sea pilot covers the E coast. For associated leisure reading (if you head west), Trevor Norton's Reflections on a Summer Sea is priceless.

Wonderful area, although Irish shopping isn't cheap these days.
 
My only experience is from having bought our boat from Kinsale last year.

Lovely place, lovely people, pubs restaurants and yacht club, but bejasus it was expensive. 4.50 euros for a pint of Guiness, and 25 for a steak and chips was a bit steep.

Would love to back to the whole area, with the benefit of more time.
 
moodyNick said:
My only experience is from having bought our boat from Kinsale last year.

Lovely place, lovely people, pubs restaurants and yacht club, but bejasus it was expensive. 4.50 euros for a pint of Guiness, and 25 for a steak and chips was a bit steep.

Would love to back to the whole area, with the benefit of more time.
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+1

Was in kinsale earlier this year and was surprised at how expensive it is for food and drink. Also no concept of a decent ale!
 
Lots of good advice so far, and the Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions are the guide of choice, in two volumes, South and West, and East and North. From Lands End or the Scillies the prevailing winds are SW so it is best to make for as far west as you can - at least Cork harbour, or Kinsale, and I have gone as far as Crookhaven in the past. It is all too easy to make landfall in Kilmore Quay, and find yourself there for up to a week waiting for a break in the westerly weather to the delight of the harbourmaster! You will get a good welcome in the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven ( the oldest yacht club in the world as someone there may point out) and all boat services are available locally. Kinsale is great for seafood, and the real cruising is west of Kinsale as far as the last marina in Dingle. Visit Glandore, Castletownshend and Baltimore on your way to Schull from Kinsale, all nice day sailing. Beautiful area with lots of natural anchorages mixed in with the odd pontoon, and lovely if the sun shines. If you have a month or so you could consider going all the way around. The west coast is atlantic sailing with a rolling swell and longer passages with fewer ports of refuge and lots of anchorages. After Dingle or Kilrush you are on your own and should fill with diesel and water at every opportunity. Supermarkets are generally available. The next marina is Fahan in Lough Swilly unless you detour in to Galway. Having said that there are visitors moorings in many bays, at modest or no cost. Yachts can be left in Kilmore Quay, the Cork Marinas, Kinsale and further west by local arrangement. I have gone around in three weeks, but a month is more comfortable and allows for weather and sightseeing. The Sceilligs are a must see, but better visited by local motor boat from Valentia as there is no safe anchorage at the islands.
Enjoy - I might even go back myself this summer
 
Schull is a stunning little village, superb for food. Cape clear is a lovely island, worth a walk around. Also you have the fastnet outside skull, Great backing for photos.

As for further North, Bangor would be a great place to stay for a few nights. Decent size town, rail links from Bangor to Belfast in particular, Titanic Museum worth a visit.

I live 10 mile from Bangor and have a swinging mooring in Strangford lough but its full of islands. At low tides it can be tricky enough if you dont know where you are going.
 
Good advice from marko99 and others. We sailed round Ireland clockwise a few years ago, enjoyed the east and south coasts, but they did not really compare, imho, with the west to which we intend returning some time. Things suddenly got a lot better once we were west of Baltimore.

You might need to careful about timing. As August 1975 drew to a close we noticed the weather deteriorate quite sharply with increased frequency and intensity of strong winds. There are loads of good anchorages and harbours, but without the the shelter that provided by the large islands that we have off the Scottish mainland.
 
S & SW Ireland

All the previous posts have correctly encouraged you to explore the S and SW coasts.

I thought I would chip in as I wrote the Wiley 'Southern Ireland Cruising Companion' which covers Kilrush on the Shannon to Kilmore Quay in Wexford. I wrote it intending to make a first visit to this area as straightforward and enjoyable as possible.

In the introduction I included my personal 'Top 20' harbours/must dos from the 100 or so possibilities over the 250 miles of coastline. They were:-
Kilrush
Brandon/Fenit
The Blasket Islands
Dingle
Skellig Michael
Derrynane
Lawrence Cove
Glengarriff
Ahakista/Kitchen Cove
Crookhaven
Fastnet Rock
Cape Clear Island
Castletownshend
Glandore
Coutmacsherry
Kinsale
Crosshaven
Youghal
New Ross
Kilmore Quay

Take your time and enjoy the trip!
Bob
 
ireland

Iam based in Malahide. Other options , Belfast, Carrickfergus,Glenarm,Rathlin,Ballycastle. You could take in the Isle of man/Peel. Do not forget Strangford
 
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