Irish Diversion?

[Resolution]

We are starting to plan next year's schedule for Resolution, my 42ft cruiser. Homebase is the Hamble, but we have done the Solent to bits, had three years in the West Country , so 2010 will be a Scottish year. The delivery voyage up will be a good chance to stretch the boat's legs, and clock up some miles for the crew. We are booked in for a rally in June that will cover the usual West of Scotland parts - Clyde, Crinan Canal, Dunstaffnage, Tobermory etc- and hope to add a couple of free weeks to let the midges really get their teeth into us Softie Southerners.
Then someone suggested that we should deviate on the way back, to check out the northern coast of Ireland (=NI + Eire). So, the question is, do any forumites know this coast well and have recommendations as to where to go?
From a quick search, Lough Swilly looks fascinating, Mulroy Bay may be as well, Lough Foyle, Belfast Lough and Carlingford Loughs all possible, and of course Strangfod Lough is a must (esp having just read the thread on PBO about tides at the entrance).
All comments welcomed.

 

[bobgoode]

Try Glenarm for a quiet stop, nice little marina. Ardglass is a must for a friendly welcome.
If you do go to Carlingford Lough then anchor and give the marina a miss, over priced and c**p showers.
Howth is all you need if you want to relax a while and hit the shops in Dublin without being in the city centre.
Kilmore Quay is a good place to wait before jumping off to England.

 

[multihullsailor6]

The July issue of Yachting Monthly had an informative 10-page special on sailing in and around Ireland.

 

[jonjo]

No experience of N.I. sailing here but last autumn I spent a week on the Kinsale/Fastnet stretch of the coast. That experience has triggered a desire/plan to return some day for a proper cruise.

Ashore in Kinsale there was a fascinating alternate, hippyish shabby-chic culture and down outside Baltimore I discovered Ireland's answer to Lulworth Cove but unlike the Dorset version I had to place to myself. The Fastnet to Falmouth passage took 44 hours.

I think there is a step change in the coastal topography north of Cork so on my return I will focus on points southwards and then west.

 

[Nigelhg]

Strangford lough is a great place to spend some time, with Portaferry marina in the narrows (before the lough opens out) probably the best place for facilities for the visiting yachtsman. Please head north from there if you have time as there are many other places you should explore and visit.
If you can anchor Auldeys Roads is a nice spot with National trust property Castleward beside it. Killyleagh harbour and Strangford harbours are useful as there are shops etc a short walk away as long as you can dry out at low water. There are also quite a few yacht clubs that welcome visitors. If you want any detailed info pm me- I live about 60ft from the lough shore.

 

[oceanfroggie]

If your interested in sailing in Ireland, the scenery on the SW coast is awesome and a very popular area for visiting UK boats (eg Kinsale, Cork, Baltimore, Lawrance Cove, Dingle, etc)

Ireland Cruise

 

[Dyflin]

Try Glenarm for a quiet stop, nice little marina. Ardglass is a must for a friendly welcome.
If you do go to Carlingford Lough then anchor and give the marina a miss, over priced and c**p showers.
Howth is all you need if you want to relax a while and hit the shops in Dublin without being in the city centre.
Kilmore Quay is a good place to wait before jumping off to England.

I'd say skip Howth in a 42ft boat, it's not the biggest of marinas, manoeuvring is tight and we've gone aground in the main channel when leaving in our boat (1.5m draft). Dun Laoghaire or Malahide would be a better choice. Better chance to shop locally too.

Carlingford is fine if you don't expect much. But very nice sailing area.

I would highly recommend the Irish Cruising Clubs North & East Coast Sailing Directions. A very new print edition is out and it's the definitive guide to this area.

 

[Evenspread]

Ballycastle is fine for a visit and Portrush is handy for fuel.
The Folye is an interesting run and you can tie up near the centre of 'Derry between the two bridges.
The Bann is also navigable as far as Coleraine and has useful anchorages not far upstream.
The Swilly is also good and will give you both anchorages and pontoons on both sides. Fahan is a good safe marina with an interesting approach.

The northern coastline is quite spectacular in places and the trip from Portrush to the anchorage at Gigha is just a day -sail. Definitely worth a few days detour.

 

[Stig]

I'd say skip Howth in a 42ft boat, it's not the biggest of marinas, manoeuvring is tight and we've gone aground in the main channel when leaving in our boat (1.5m draft).

Howth dredged recently and now back to 2.5m minimum at CD

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