Ireland's East coast harbours

[PRC]

Morning all,

I am planning a weeks cruise to Ireland from North Wales in May and I am debating on whether to head North visiting places like Wicklow, Skerries, Carlingford, Ardglass, Strangford or South to Arklow, Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Cork.

Does anyone have recommendations on the must visit harbours for the best scenery and Guinness and how the route North compares with one South?

I only have a week to get there and back so anything South of Cork is out.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Minchsailor]

Play the tides, as the flood runs north in the southern half, and south in the northern half, so you can get about 9hrs of fair tide.

Strangford Lough has ferocious tides in the entrance channel, so careful timing is necessary; a pity as it nice enough.

Wicklow you tie up against the wall and is pleasant place.

Last time I was at Carlingford Lough (admittedly in 2013) the 'marina' was extremely run down.

 

[[3889]]

Done both and prefer the N route from N Wales. Wicklow & Arklow are not great, Wexford worthwhile if you can get in. Cork and back in a week would be more of a delivery than a cruise. Howth, Skerries, Carlingford, Strangford, IoM would be a basis for a plan.

 

[rotrax]

We are going there too.

I think Newlyn - Kilmore Quay to start. Then Wexford, Arklow, Wicklow, Dublin or Howth, Carlingford and perhaps into Newry if the Canal is OK. Then Ardglass, into Strangford Lough, Bangor, Belfast Centre, Glenarm and then to Peel in the IOM for the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix. When that is over we shall probably do Peel - Carlingford, Howth - Arklow - Newlyn.

Or something similar. We will be Cruising, so no hard and fast plan.

 

[geem]

Morning all,

I am planning a weeks cruise to Ireland from North Wales in May and I am debating on whether to head North visiting places like Wicklow, Skerries, Carlingford, Ardglass, Strangford or South to Arklow, Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Cork.

Does anyone have recommendations on the must visit harbours for the best scenery and Guinness and how the route North compares with one South?

I only have a week to get there and back so anything South of Cork is out.

Thanks

Paul

We never made the decision on where until the day before. Weather can change everything.
Let the forecast decide for you or you will be fighting weather

 

[TSB240]

Morning all,

I am planning a weeks cruise to Ireland from North Wales in May and I am debating on whether to head North visiting places like Wicklow, Skerries, Carlingford, Ardglass, Strangford or South to Arklow, Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Cork.

Does anyone have recommendations on the must visit harbours for the best scenery and Guinness and how the route North compares with one South?

I only have a week to get there and back so anything South of Cork is out.

Thanks

Paul

The nearest port if going to Ireland is Greystones. This is a new harbour development just south of Dublin and on the Dart rail connection. This is an easy day sail from the Menai or even easier from Holyhead. It is easy to access as there is no significant bank to cross if coming from the east.
Marina is not cheap but village offers best nearest black stuff and good eateries. Nice cliff walks or trip to Dublin can be part of your visit.

I prefer going south and my first option would be a short hop to Wicklow. It has been much improved in recent years. Arklow is an alternative but either offers a stinking fishdock or a riverside pontoon adjacent to an open sewer. The local hostelry was rough!
I wouldn't bother with any other stop until Kilmore Quay where the fish and chips is to die for... NB They have an unofficial 2 nights for the price of 1. You need to speak to the right man to get this.
The right man will also give you the advice for the best timing of your return to North Wales directly from there to Porth Dinllaen which works out at about 10 to 11 hours.
We had North easterlies for our last trip and found some unusual anchorages all along the south coast. Most of the traditional sheltered harbours were open to strong North Easterlies. Waterford was worth the trip up river.
We would have loved to get to Cork but found the pace of life, the craic and the warm welcome made us want to stay and linger rather than rush. We only had just over a week away.

If the wind takes you go south!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Ardglas is nice - good stop on the way north

 

[PRC]

Thanks for all of your replies, all really useful.

Paul

 

[Tea_Bag]

A note on Greystones, which as mentioned is a great spot for catching the Dart into Dublin and has a collection of superb restaurants and coffee shops. Marina is very good, but (as of last year) has no fuel dock. Also useful to have a 32A plug for shore power connection.

 

[dankilb]

Visited Glenarm and Ballycastle last summer, via hire car, albeit with a view to a future cruise once our refit is complete. Both seemed lovely, well-managed little harbours (mini-marinas really!). Can’t wait to return by boat.

 

[SaltyC]

Confirmation that both are a good destination, Glenarm Harbourmaster could not be more helpful!! A walk up the Nature reserve will (possibly- we did) see many Red Squirrels and Ballycastle is good for a visit via the local Bus (Day Ticket - hop on and off) to the Giants Causeway.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Done both and prefer the N route from N Wales. Wicklow & Arklow are not great, Wexford worthwhile if you can get in. Cork and back in a week would be more of a delivery than a cruise. Howth, Skerries, Carlingford, Strangford, IoM would be a basis for a plan.

Don't forget Malahide, but not when there is an onshore wind.
Good restaurants etc., plus Malahide Castle. A short Dart ride to Dublin City centre.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

A note on Greystones, which as mentioned is a great spot for catching the Dart into Dublin and has a collection of superb restaurants and coffee shops. Marina is very good, but (as of last year) has no fuel dock. Also useful to have a 32A plug for shore power connection.

I don't have a recent update, but I did read last year that a fuel pontoon was to be delivered.