Sailing to Ireland.

[dt4134]

Does this link still give a reasonable description of cruising in Ireland? Or are there some aspects which need updating? It's a long while since I was there!

http://www.jimbaerselman.f2s.com/sailing areas.htm#Ireland

You may want to point out that although the tides around Arklow don't go up and down that much they do go north & south quite enthusiastically and can drag an unwary navigator across the banks. I would go to great lengths to avoid passing Tuskar against the tide, and I'm especially wary when heading south and not knowing how much swell to expect on the South coast.

I'm also not sure about the rain & cloud diminishing as you head south. Are you sure you went to Co. Cork?

 

[activesail]

Sailors planning to cruise the east and south coasts of Ireland may find this site of value

http://www.inyourfootsteps.com/sailing/harbours/europe/ireland


Ignore the routes section. Harbours section is good.

ICC sailing directions are excellent for winter reading and passage planning.

Failte to all sailors

Thank you for this contribution. I am pouring over my 2011 Almanac as I type.

 

[Plomong]

I have proposed a "Celtic 8" rally in the past but few takers. Up the Irish Sea, round the North of Scotland, through the Caledonian Canal and down the west cost of Ireland and around the Scilly Isles. It would include certain obligatory detours such as Strangford Lough and other similar scenic areas. There could be any number of rallying points depending on where boats are based.

Any takers now?

Yes, Sybarite, I'm interested in the Celtic 8 trip you mention.

However, some cautions:
1) I would be arriving from Bilbao via Brest to Falmouth or Penzance.

2) On the return leg, I would prefer coming down the Irish sea, as it is shorter, and I would still have the leg from Falmouth down to Bilbao.

3) With respect to schedule, my current thinking is to do the trip in 2012 (a trip to Waterford is planned for 2011), starting in Bilbao around the beginning of May and returning to Brest not later than mid-August.

Let's see who else is interested, but please keep me informed,

Plomong

 

[activesail]

Thanks for your PM Plomong, I will start putting a list of interested people together and start a consultation exercise next week.

 

[Slowtack]

Hostility? Ever been to Haustilaria? Apologies to Spike Milligan, or was it Peter Sellers?

 

[jimbaerselman]

You may want to point out that although the tides around Arklow don't go up and down that much they do go north & south quite enthusiastically and can drag an unwary navigator across the banks.

Thanks. Good point.

I'm also not sure about the rain & cloud diminishing as you head south. Are you sure you went to Co. Cork?

I sure did. Four seasons spaced out over 15 years, loved the place. Kerry and W Cork take the wet prize, but S Cork is a big improvement. But you are quite right. I should have said that the south facing coasts have less rain and cloud - see http://www.met.ie/climate/rainfall.asp

 

[activesail]

Six respondents.

Six people have contacted me to date.

I am presently considering organising this trip to Southern Ireland during the school holidays in 2011. Enabling families to take part.

There are also some people willing to sail from as far away as the Solent. so I was considering arranging meeting points along the way.

Once reaching Southern Ireland, I am thinking that most people would like to continue in their own time. Sailing around the Irish Coast and enjoying these magnificent cruising grounds.

If anyone would like to sail back to the U.K, with the support of sailing in a group, I am sure that could be arranged.

If anyone has any ideas along these lines, could they please PM me.

I will then collate all the different views and see if a common consensus can be reached.

 

[falkirkdan]

Agree with the comments of Kilmore Quay being a lovely harbour and village. The showers are fairly new but must be about the most expensive around. For €1 you get in theory 2 minutes but in reality you are lucky to get about one minute of hot water. You put you euro in the slot and immediately you are down to 1min 59 sec. If you are not following someone then you have to wait on the hot water coming through maybe 40/50 seconds. Just as you have got the shampoo nicely into your hair. Hey presto the water cuts off!!!!!

 

[activesail]

Agree with the comments of Kilmore Quay being a lovely harbour and village. The showers are fairly new but must be about the most expensive around. For €1 you get in theory 2 minutes but in reality you are lucky to get about one minute of hot water. You put you euro in the slot and immediately you are down to 1min 59 sec. If you are not following someone then you have to wait on the hot water coming through maybe 40/50 seconds. Just as you have got the shampoo nicely into your hair. Hey presto the water cuts off!!!!!

Haha!!! I remember it well, I didn't risk it, having the second Euro to hand.

I am now in the position of proposing a start date for this mini rally to Ireland. I propose to start it from the Solent Sunday August 7th (05.26 High Tide Portsmouth) to Dartmouth. This will hopefully suit those who want to enjoy Cowes Week and people with school children. The second leg will be from Dartmouth to Falmouth and Falmouth to Southern Ireland (Port to be decided).

Calling into the Scilly Isles could also be an option. Allowing yachts from Wales and the Bristol Channel to meet up.

I have a number of people who have registered an interest in this trip and I will be contacting them individually.

More people are of course welcome, along with any advisory contributions, suggestions or anecdotes.

Please PM me if you are defiantly interested so I can direct you to a dedicated web site, once I have set it up.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

So what keeps Brits away from Irish waters? Is it the distance, the cost, fear of hostility?

What makes you think we stay away? But I guess it is a distance and cost issue. Even the Bristol channel to Ireland is a much more serious journey, both tide and weather wise, than say the Solent to N France, and for those based on the south coast France is always likely to appeal more. Cost wise, Ireland is very expensive these days so maybe the west coast of wales and scotland is better value?

And at the risk of irritating Irishmen everywhere, Ireland isnt really very foreign for Brits. Same language, same food.

Nevertheless, my club has an annual cruise and maybe one in every three years it goes to Ireland.

 

[activesail]

What makes you think we stay away? But I guess it is a distance and cost issue. Even the Bristol channel to Ireland is a much more serious journey, both tide and weather wise, than say the Solent to N France, and for those based on the south coast France is always likely to appeal more. Cost wise, Ireland is very expensive these days so maybe the west coast of wales and scotland is better value?

And at the risk of irritating Irishmen everywhere, Ireland isnt really very foreign for Brits. Same language, same food.

Nevertheless, my club has an annual cruise and maybe one in every three years it goes to Ireland.

I have sailed from Falmouth to Kilmore Quay in about Thirty Six hours, on a delivery passage. So I don't think it is that daunting.

Like sailing everywhere, good passage planning and listening to the weather forecast generally ensures success.

I have two more people interested now, who might join the Rally from the Bristol Channel area.

Why not bring your expertise along Bosun Higgs? Or round up some club members to join us.

I will produce a more detailed program in the near future.

Please keep the interest pouring in.

 

[graham]

Kilmore Quay

A couple of pictures from a previous visit if anyones interested. Unlikely to be able to join you in 2011 but good wishes and drink some guinness for me .

 

[Sybarite]

Excellent site thanks.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Like sailing everywhere, good passage planning and listening to the weather forecast generally ensures success. ................... Why not bring your expertise along Bosun Higgs? Or round up some club members to join us.

Thanks for the advice. and the invite, but SWMBO prefers France and Spain. Warmer. And as for the club members, it would be easier to herd cats.

 

[activesail]

Thanks for the advice. and the invite, but SWMBO prefers France and Spain. Warmer. And as for the club members, it would be easier to herd cats.

But they don't do Guinness, at least not as well!!!

I now have Five people declaring an interest from the Bristol Channel as well as a few from the Solent.

I will try to bring everyone together in another thread, with a full program.

Thanks for the photo's Graham, wetting my appetite already.

 

[Stig]

I have been following this thread with interest and hope you guys have a great trip over. The way things are going here we may not be so expensive by next summer!

I can guarantee you a warm welcome, fantastic scenery and good food. (Fishy Fishy in Kinsale not to be missed). As regards weather....if you don't like it just wait a while and it will change.

 

[activesail]

I have been following this thread with interest and hope you guys have a great trip over. The way things are going here we may not be so expensive by next summer!

I can guarantee you a warm welcome, fantastic scenery and good food. (Fishy Fishy in Kinsale not to be missed). As regards weather....if you don't like it just wait a while and it will change.

Thank you for a traditional Irish welcome.

Ireland is a great sailing destination and I am sure we will be warmly welcomed.

As for the weather, I am sure it can't be much worse than ours.

 

[Chrissie]

August 7th suits me, can we book the good weather in plenty of time?

 

[Stig]

As for the weather, I am sure it can't be much worse than ours.

I think our rain is slightly warmer!

.

 

[activesail]

South Easterly and sunny on the outbound leg and South Westerly on the home leg..
Already ordered..

Warm rain in August Stig, what more would one want?

August 7th suits me, can we book the good weather in plenty of time?