Southern Ireland cruising

[KREW2]

Next summer our club are hoping to organise a cruise along the south coast to the Scilly Isles.
I fancy going on from there to Southern Ireland, as do my two crew.
We have no time deadline, but I was hoping to keep it to about 3/4 weeks Any tips as to the best places to go, or places to avoid.

 

[lpdsn]

No especial places to avoid. Crosshaven/Kinsale marinas are expensive, but no big deal for a south coast of England sailor and they're pretty. They're the best destinations coming across from Land End or the Scillies (you're bound to get someone posting that you should cross to Kilmore Quay but it makes no sense whatsoever coming from where you are unless you want to go up the east coast). Beware the Kinsale gas field is on the rhumb line from LE and they don't like you trying to go between the rigs.

 

[KREW2]

Thanks, some useful info there, about the rigs. It seems it would be best to go from Scilly Isles to Kinsale, up to Crosshaven and then back around lands end.

 

[Wandering Star]

I’ve pretty much given up sailing now but agree with ipdsn re Kinsale, it’s a lovely place to visit, as well as the 2 expensive marinas (I think) the club marina also manages lots of swinging moorings which were (2 years ago) €10 a night. The Customs launch is pretty acrive thereabouts and you might well be boarded but they’re polite & friendly to deal with.

 

[lpdsn]

Thanks, some useful info there, about the rigs. It seems it would be best to go from Scilly Isles to Kinsale, up to Crosshaven and then back around lands end.

You'd be missing out if you didn't go further west. But Crosshaven or Kinsale are the best places to make landfall after a 24 hour-ish trip. Good departure points for the return trip as they have all the facilities for relieving you of any remaining Euros.

 

[Chris Edwards]

Kinsale, but the west coast is beautiful.

Dingle is touristy but good base.

 

[cherod]

drove round Ireland ( most E S W and N points ) couple of years ago,, fantastic places, Baltimore , Bantry, the Dingle, Beara etc peninsulars are spectacular ,, and on up the W coast,, the main tourist route is called the Wild Atlantic way, for a good reason, take care and enjoy ..

 

[siwhi]

You'd be missing out if you didn't go further west. But Crosshaven or Kinsale are the best places to make landfall after a 24 hour-ish trip. Good departure points for the return trip as they have all the facilities for relieving you of any remaining Euros.

Agree! Definitely try to get West to Schull, Baltimore, Crookhaven area. There are some lovely stops on the way down as well.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Drop into Kinsale then work your way westwards to Galway. 3 to 4 weeks is enough then a good sail back from Galway. Lots of places each has some merit.

 

[pagoda]

Drop into Kinsale then work your way westwards to Galway. 3 to 4 weeks is enough then a good sail back from Galway. Lots of places each has some merit.

There are some respectable lengths of passage up the West coast to Galway once you turn the corner after Crookhaven. Bantry Bay is worth going into. Castletown-Bearhaven is rather more a fishing harbour, but there are prettier places up the bay a bit. We spent 8 weeks going round all of Ireland in 2018. A great place to visit. You'll find French/Dutch/German/UK boats up as far as Galway, but the NW corner up from Galway is pretty quiet (yacht wise).

 

[iLens]

Here was our 2-week itinerary on Ireland's south coast in June 2011 ...

• Kinsale
• Castletownshend
• Baltimore
• Crookhaven *
• Lough Hyne**
• Glendore
• Cobh - East Ferry
• Oyster Haven
• Ballycotton
• Cork city***
• Crosshaven

* Don't forget to circle the Fastnet Rock on the way
**Lough Hyne is amazing - anchor in the sound, take the dinghy in and get the timing right!
***You can go right into Cork - there's a long pontoon by the bridge, but check with the harbour-master first as it's used for rallies. The small marina at East Haven is low cost but it's a taxi ride to Cobh where there' a train to the city (and a Titanic exhibition).

 

[rotrax]

We loved Derrynane-music in the pub Wednesday nights and Otters swimming around the boat.

Lawrence cove was nice too.

 

[zoidberg]

Be wary if on the quay at Castletown-Bearhaven ( 'Beara' ) as the fish-shed there is used at night for drugs exchange, with numerous Merc drivers and pax. 'going about their business'. Prudent to be elsewhere.

 

[Minchsailor]

I used to frequently cruise SW Ireland when I was based on the Hamble.

We went either direct from the Helford, or took a break in the Scilies (more frequently on the way back). Leaving Helford at HW Dover seems about right for the tides around the Lizard and Lands End.

The SW is so gorgeous I would caution about a landfall in Ireland too far east. For that reason we aimed for W of Kinsale, which also has the advantage of avoiding the Kinsale gas field.

Glandore is gorgeous with a great pub. Castlehaven has a single light and may make a good landfall at dawn. Baltimore and Sherkiin Island. Schull and Roaring Water Bay.

Crookhaven used to have a fantastic restaurant.

Then round Three Castle Head, Kitchen Cove is worth a visit, as also Dunmanus |Harbour if you fancy a bit of isolation.

In Bantry Bay the anchorage at Dunboy Bay, under the ruins of the castle, is an alternative to busy Castletown and is within walking distance. Don't miss out the gardens at Glengariff

Sneem, Kenmare, Derryname, Valentia (but really not worth the detour), Dingle. So many places. Take your time.

 

[Minchsailor]

Forgot to mention: If returning via the Isles of Scilly, the anchorages between St. Agnes and Gugh (either N or S) make a good alternative to Hugh Town (St Mary's), and when I last visited there was a pub with good fish 'n chips.

 

[KREW2]

Thanks all, happy to hear more Irish adventures.
I will start putting together an itinerary after Christmas, and put it to the rest of the crew.

 

[dom]

Thanks all, happy to hear more Irish adventures.
I will start putting together an itinerary after Christmas, and put it to the rest of the crew.

An excellent idea Some say this would be the most popular sailing destination in the world - if only the weather was a bit better!

And there's the rub: wind direction, strength and swell are key and lots will depend on the then forecast. Generally best to head over towards Baltimore which is only about 15m longer from the IoS than Cork.

Roaringwater Bay has a fearsome reputation where the Atlantic swells press far inland. In truth it's just at end of the River Roaring, just a little stream to be honest. Joking aside a big S/W sea can be dangerous on this entire coast, but don't worry as you can safely hide behind the islands off Baltimore. You won't get bored there, trust me!

Head further west if you fancy, though it's wild country beyond the Kenmare river. Finally a coast hop towards Cork Harbour and if you're lucky a zippy reach back to the IoS and home.

 

[Finbar]

I have sailed this area , and as the prevailing winds are from the SW, I would advise making for Crookhaven from the Isles of Scilly. It can be a beat from Cork or even from Kinsale going West. From Crookhaven you can turn the corner and sail through the Dursey Sound for Derrynane and points west, or wander back through the many beautiful anchorages of West Cork until you make the first marina at Kinsale. These days there are many visitors moorings available, generally free. Get an up to date list from the Irish Sailing Association. And it goes without saying you will have the latest South and West Coast Sailing Directions from the Irish Cruising Club. As well as the many worthwhile anchorages already mentioned you might drop in to Knightstown in Valentia sound and take a day trip to the Skelligs. There is no anchorage at the Skelligs, so this is the best way to visit.

Enjoy.

 

[johnalison]

I'm not as knowledgeable as some about Ireland but we went there in 2003 for a couple of weeks but had to return after that for a funeral. I enjoyed each place, from Crosshaven to Schull. We also spent a pleasant night in Courtmacsherry where the anglers were landing some enormous fish. My other memories of the place are that there was some depth restriction at the entrance and that some seaweed got into the loo and caused it to deconstruct itself.

You need to be careful because visiting Ireland can be bad for one's sanity:

 

[Dino]

Lots of great cruising from Crosshaven around to Galway. Lots to do in Cork Harbour with East Ferry, Cork City, Cobh, Monkstown, Crosshaven all decent spots to stop off. You could easily spend a few days in Cork Harbour if you needed to get away from the weather.
Crosshaven & Kinsale are close to Cork Airport too.
Kinsale is well worth a stop, it's a decent town with great bars and it's the gourmet capital of Ireland.
The regular West Cork spots are all amazing. Cape Clear is nice too. The South harbour is fab in northerlies.
Lawrence Cove Marina also worth a stop.
Cahirciveen is good too. Good sized town close by. The marina is silted up so you have to moor on the outer pontoon.
Valentia is nice and you can get the ferry over to O'Neills The Point. Really good fish restaurant that don't serve dessert. The only dessert option is an Irish Coffee.
Dingle and Ventry nearby are lovely. Dingle is touristy but great fun for a night out and good food.
Fenit Marina is a well serviced marina in a small commercial harbour. Lovely countryside and great food in the West End Bar. Good active yacht club there too. Fenit is only around 20 miles from Kerry Airport too.
Kilrush is a well equipped marina with a boatyard and self service diesel. You have to lock into the marina but there is a floating pontoon in the lock and it's self service.
There's not much between Kilrush and Galway apart from the Aran Islands. Well worth a visit. Some impressive sea cliffs at the Cliffs of Moher and Dun Aonghus on the Aran Islands.
Galway is a long way in off the main route North but it's an amazing small city with loads going on all summer. There's a different festival on every week in Galway in the summer. The Arts Festival in mid July is very good.