Southern Ireland - Arrival Ports?

Neil said:
If you're to take it easy, you could hit Kilmore, Arklow then Greystones/Dun Laoghaire/Howth/Malahide (pick at least two from the four!),followed by Carlingford, Ardglass, Bangor and then across to Bonny Scotland!
Click to expand...

Which is exactly what I did in 2013. Next time I would give Arklow a miss, as the swell rolls into the harbour, making a stay alongside the pontoon pretty uncomfortable.
And I would add Strangford Lough, which is not to be missed.
 
savageseadog said:
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.
Click to expand...

I haven't got the data with me now, but I seem to remember that I could not go in or out +/-2 of LW, with a draft of 2.1 m. The entrance was the shallowest point.
 
Fortunately the trip is one way and we have from May to the end of the season.

and

Eyore has it right - go around keeping Ireland to Starboard!

+1. The weat coast of Ireland is much, much ore fun and interesting than the east coast. You could spend several weeks just in the big bays in the SW corner, then there are the Arran islands (forget Galway), around Sligo, the NW and N coast have nice places. All better then the east coast.
 
Sybarite said:
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...)
Click to expand...

I bet that not too many of you know what a Killinchy Muffler is (before it was the name of a pub/restaurant) It is not a scarf either, but involves very close physical contact between two persons.
 
Eyore said:
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.
Click to expand...

Well that's torn it! Didn't think of going west - but I am now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
robmcg said:
Well that's torn it! Didn't think of going west - but I am now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

You'l be delighted with your decision, particularly as you have plenty of time to pick your weather, explore and dawdle. Enjoy. And as Mac says the ICC south and west coast pilot is essential.
 
westhinder said:
I haven't got the data with me now, but I seem to remember that I could not go in or out +/-2 of LW, with a draft of 2.1 m. The entrance was the shallowest point.
Click to expand...

According to the Sailing Directions, it's 1.9m at Chart datum on approach, 4.4m within the marina
 
Eyore said:
You'l be delighted with your decision, particularly as you have plenty of time to pick your weather, explore and dawdle. Enjoy. And as Mac says the ICC south and west coast pilot is essential.
Click to expand...

Looks superb. We will be in no hurry so weather isn't a deciding factor, although now there seem to be too many places to go in Ireland that I like the look of. At the moment I only have the Southern Ireland cruising companion to hand and that makes the south coast look very attractive. Coming from the Scillies, we could hedge our bets and head to Kinsale and decide to go clockwise or anticlockwise.
 
robmcg said:
Coming from the Scillies, we could hedge our bets and head to Kinsale and decide to go clockwise or anticlockwise.
Click to expand...

Nice place. Easy to find in poor visibility as you can hear the rattle of cash registers up to 25nm offshore. :)

As other's have said, watch out for the gas rigs - they really don't like you trying to pass between the two.

If you're heading west and going to Glandore/Unionhall have a look on the ISA website as there's a change to the channel that affects where you can anchor. Won't have made it into the almanacs/pilot books yet. www.sailing.ie
 
If you chose the south and the west coast of Ireland you may never be satisfied with 'ordinary' sailing again.
Last year I did around Ireland in 90 days and only spent 6 of them coming down the east coast.
ICC book is invaluable. Don't miss Derrynane, scary entrance, but heaven once inside. Free mooring and complete shelter.
Take your time and enjoy.
Capt. RoN
PS. Top up with fuel at any and every opportunity.
 
Last edited:
ronmarson said:
If you chose the south and the west coast of Ireland you may never be satisfied with 'ordinary' sailing again.
Last year I did around Ireland in 90 days and only spent 6 of them coming down the east coast.
ICC book is invaluable. Don't miss Derrynane, scary entrance, but heaven once inside. Free mooring and complete shelter.
Take your time and enjoy.
Capt. RoN
PS. Top up with fuel at any and every opportunity.
Click to expand...
 
I suppose this could kick off this discussion all over again....
I am thinking of sailing to Southern Ireland in July 2016. Am based on South Coast and used to West Country ports. Looking for best ideas for departing UK. Is it Scillies or Padstow or Milford Haven-ish. Will be looking to spend a week to ten days in Ireland. Comments from skippers with experience of this trip most appreciated....thanks TOC
 
Over the last 50 years I've circumnavigated Ireland 4 times, setting off from SW England.

For the first two, I left it to weather decision. After that it was anticlockwise - solely because I enjoyed the west coast contrasts far more, even though it meant a bit more windward work. That way it was working up the "high" of the craic of the west and south west coasts. What a hospitable place!

And every time, so lovely to escape the crowded S England coasts
 
I did Newlyn to Kinsale. 30 hours of motoring, no wind. The gas fields off Cork make a good spot to head for in the dark of night. Very little traffic.
Don't miss the west coast, it will blow your mind.
Capt. RoN
 
Arklow fish dock has a new pontoon with finger berths (incl water and electricity) - not yet mentioned in the pilot books - but there are (apparently) no shoreside toilets/showers nearby. The small marina and pontoon on the north bank are managed separately. They have a facilities block (showers out of order while I was there).
Howth has excellent facilities and was great value at £54 for 3 nights (7.5m). Access limited near LW springs.
The cove at Dunmore East looked delightful but the harbour was ( July 2015) a building site - the HM happily allowed a brief stop on the "fishing vessels only" pontoon to pick up crew. No fuel available.
 
Originally Posted by savageseadog
image: http://www.ybw.com/forums/images/ybw/buttons/viewpost-right.png
View Post
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.

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?421036-Southern-Ireland-Arrival-Ports#bYqZT3EOwR6L7OLr.99

westhinder said:
I haven't got the data with me now, but I seem to remember that I could not go in or out +/-2 of LW, with a draft of 2.1 m. The entrance was the shallowest point.
Click to expand...


I was there in June this year, Harbourmaster's recommendation was that treat it as 1.5 max at LWS. We waited for half tide before arriving and departing. (2mtr draft) A very friendly place, and the useful addition this year was a fuel pontoon taking cards, at a similar price to a road tanker delivery we took in Youghal. HM is a pot fisherman as well, so very knowledgeable about the area.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top