GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
Kilmore Quay OK in daylight but I wouldn't recommend it first time in dark, Dunmore East would be easier. Up the east coast a bit Ardglass, Dun Laoghaire or Howth or, Malahide if timing OK for the bar at entrance.
Southern Ireland - Arrival Ports?
- Thread starter robmcg
- Start date
savageseadog
Well-Known Member
How much water is there in Kilmore Quay and the approach?
I went in there years ago but in a shallow draft boat. I liked the place, the approach is a bit unusual but OK.
I went in there years ago but in a shallow draft boat. I liked the place, the approach is a bit unusual but OK.
macd
Well-Known Member
I've always thought Ardglass a dump. Would anyone trouble to go there on a tour of Ireland by land? I think not. That said, it would be a handy back-up if heading for Strangford but with tides in the Narrows against.
Glenarm, mentioned earlier, is well-placed: an all-tides marina just a day sail from Gigha. Haven't been there for several years but it was very reasonably priced.
Glenarm, mentioned earlier, is well-placed: an all-tides marina just a day sail from Gigha. Haven't been there for several years but it was very reasonably priced.
GraemeS
Well-Known Member
I've posted this link before but I think its a great web site and may be useful for planning and giving general back ground to Irish havens. I have no connection with it in anyway.
http://www.inyourfootsteps.com/
http://www.inyourfootsteps.com/
Heckler
Well-Known Member
He is coming from the South!
S
GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
This season we are hoping to head to Ireland and on up to Scotland. We are leaving from Plymouth and are hoping to stop off in Falmouth, the Scillies and then on to Ireland. Having not sailed to Ireland before, what is the collective wisdom regarding the best place to arrive? Preference would be a mooring buoy or alongside pontoon with a half decent town/village with plenty of pubs. Any other tips on going across to Ireland also gratefully received - crossing times, journey times, must see's etc. :encouragement:
Rob
You don't say how much time you may have. From the Scillies, depending on wind direction, you could head north to Holyhead, isle of Man and Scotland and then do the east coast of Ireland on the way back, more sheltered if lively weather from the west/sw.
robmcg
Well-Known Member
Fortunately the trip is one way and we have from May to the end of the season.
lpdsn
Well-Known Member
Ardglass is a handy stopping off place, rather than a destination in itself. It's very close to the rhumb line heading north to South Rock from anywhere further south along the coast. It's almost 24 hour access (the entrance channel is a bit shallow at LWS).
Strangford Lough is a wonderful place to visit, but you don't want to get the timings wrong. It's not just the tide being against you - the seas at the entrance can be pretty hairy at the wrong time.
Glenarm prices have gone up a surprising amount in the last year or two. It's a very small village. Quite pretty but there isn't much there. Watch out for dramatic wind effects in the approaches.
Apart from spending a few weeks in Strangford Lough, the OP could also visit Belfast Lough (Carrickfergus, Bangor or Abercorn Basin) especially if in need of supplies or for a crew change.
Rathlin is well worth a visit (beware of tides).
Portpatrick (Scotland) is only a small diversion. Tie up alongside wall in basin. Decent pubs. Beware if there's heavy weather from the SW forecast.
Peel (IoM) is an alternative to Ardglass. Access about a couple of hours either side of HW, but don't cut it fine. Need to radio up to get bridge swung, but not a problem. Very sheltered. Small town (technically a city) plenty of places to go. If early you can tie up inside the breakwater. Beware covered wall to south of entrance.
robmcg
Well-Known Member
Excellent site. Thanks for the link!
Minchsailor
Well-Known Member
Was it in a Rustlers called Talwyn?
Modestly, 'yes'.
Modestly, 'yes'.
GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
With the time you have there are lots of nice places on the Irish south coast to visit, much more interesting than the east with the exception of Strangford which is well worth a visit but be careful if visiting the Down CC, I've never left their bar (an old lightship) sober!
robmcg
Well-Known Member
How was the trip up? I knew Talwyn when she was at Southdown. We wintered our previous boat there. Always admired her and heard on the jungle drums that she was heading to Scotland.
Little Five
Well-Known Member
I know. He was asking for advice on good pubs and restaurants and IMHO Howth is the best place to stop on the east coast.
Eyore
Well-Known Member
Will be crossing in a good weather window. Have all spring and summer this year to get to Scotland. Nice slow meander!
In which case forget the boreing Irish seas coast, Scillies to Crookhaven,up the west coast to Banrty Bay, Glengariff, Lawrence Cove on Bere Island,through dursey sound to Derrynane, Portmagee, Dingle, Kilrush,Kilronan on Aran Islands, Roundstone,Inishboffin,Killybegs or Teelin,Arranmore, Tory Island,Lough Swilly (Port Salon) then straight hop across to Islay or Jura. Awsome cruising.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
This season we are hoping to head to Ireland and on up to Scotland. We are leaving from Plymouth and are hoping to stop off in Falmouth, the Scillies and then on to Ireland. Having not sailed to Ireland before, what is the collective wisdom regarding the best place to arrive? Preference would be a mooring buoy or alongside pontoon with a half decent town/village with plenty of pubs. Any other tips on going across to Ireland also gratefully received - crossing times, journey times, must see's etc. :encouragement:
Rob
Each time I have done Scilly to Ireland I have arrived at Arklow. (approx. 190/200nm). Easy entrance, good facilities and is on the way you intend to go. Wherever you stop off, do not miss Strangford Lough.
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
You can eat well at Daft Eddy's over the causeway at Sketrick Island about 400m away. Also at the Killinchy Muffler 2 miles up the road where you shop for supplies. (I was best man at the owner's wedding...)
Minchsailor
Well-Known Member
How was the trip up? I knew Talwyn when she was at Southdown. We wintered our previous boat there. Always admired her and heard on the jungle drums that she was heading to Scotland.
It took a bit of time to get her ready - she had been a trifle 'maintenance lite' for the previous few years. Came to leave Plymouth and it was blowing a hooley, so spent the night on one of the RWYC buoys. Bit better the next day although it was a hard beat (not much jib and 3 reefs) with a new crew and a new boat, to Fowey where the furler had a BIG problem. I had had new rigging fitted and I think the drum had been installed incorrectly. A local engineering company sorted it out (for the very fair cost of 35 quid!) but it was another day wasted.
After that OK, fair winds (luck), fair tides (result of armchair planning). I had Milford Haven pencilled in as refuge but never needed. Would have liked to have seen a bit more of SE of Ireland; I have never cruised S of Dublin Bay, or E of Kinsale. Another time.
It took a bit of time to get her ready - she had been a trifle 'maintenance lite' for the previous few years. Came to leave Plymouth and it was blowing a hooley, so spent the night on one of the RWYC buoys. Bit better the next day although it was a hard beat (not much jib and 3 reefs) with a new crew and a new boat, to Fowey where the furler had a BIG problem. I had had new rigging fitted and I think the drum had been installed incorrectly. A local engineering company sorted it out (for the very fair cost of 35 quid!) but it was another day wasted.
After that OK, fair winds (luck), fair tides (result of armchair planning). I had Milford Haven pencilled in as refuge but never needed. Would have liked to have seen a bit more of SE of Ireland; I have never cruised S of Dublin Bay, or E of Kinsale. Another time.
Finbar
Well-Known Member
The prevailing winds are from the SW in the western approaches. If you have plenty of time there is a lot to be said for heading for Crookhaven, which is usually a nice overnight sail from the Isles of Scilly, and then exploring the beautiful West Cork cruising grounds. Schull, Baltimore, Castletownshend, Glandore, Kinsale, and Crosshaven in Cork spring to mind. Drop into the medieval town of Youghal rather than passing by, and then Kilmore Quay and up the less interesting east coast.
Most east coast sailors have to beat west from the Tuskar Rock corner to reach these delights. You would expect nice downwind conditions from Crookhaven back.
Enjoy
Most east coast sailors have to beat west from the Tuskar Rock corner to reach these delights. You would expect nice downwind conditions from Crookhaven back.
Enjoy
Scomber
Well-Known Member
had about 2 wks in strangford - great anchoring and very friendly locals -careful going in or out !!!
carlingford lough-walk up carlingford mountain - then the pub for oysters guiness and music-magic!!
ardglass-there are some of the best unspoilt coastal walks (wild flowers etc ) we've ever seen _think it might be called 'lecale/ulster way'
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Slowtack
Well-Known Member
Eyore has it right - go around keeping Ireland to Starboard!