Strangford lough

PabloPicasso

PabloPicasso

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Ok I'm vaguely planning a cruise into Strangford lough. I'll likely sail with a pal to ardglass and then in as per pilotage.

Once in my wife and two young children will join me and my pal will depart.

So, advice of:
where to go,
which clubs are visitor/child friendly
Things that will keep a 6 & 4 year old entertained locally

Is July a good month to visit?
 
Some years since we've been there but found it fun sailing. Portaferry aquarium worth a visit and the Down CC was very friendly, unlike the Quoile. The overfalls at the entrance will keep all entertained if you get the timing wrong when leaving:)
 
PabloPicasso said:
Ok I'm vaguely planning a cruise into Strangford lough. I'll likely sail with a pal to ardglass and then in as per pilotage.

Once in my wife and two young children will join me and my pal will depart.

So, advice of:
where to go,
which clubs are visitor/child friendly
Things that will keep a 6 & 4 year old entertained locally

Is July a good month to visit?
Click to expand...

Portaferry - aquarium, hotel for meals
Strangford - The Cuan, the Lobster Pot restaurants; Castle Ward Estate and Gardens
Audley's Roads : good anchorage and castle.
Ringhaddy Sound: best mooring on East Coast of Ireland
Whiterock : SLYC. Friendly welcome
Down Cruising club (Lightship) Ballydorn : again, very friendly: showers and fuel and a well stocked bar.
Sketrick Island : ruins of castle; Daft Eddy's bar abd restaurant.
Balloo crossroads Killinchy : the Killinchy Muffler restaurant behind the Spar (belongs to my best man) 2-3 miles
Also Balloo House restaurant.
castle Espie wild fowl centre (about 3 miles)
Mahee Island : Nendrum monastic site; Golf club.

Requires good chart work but is not that difficult. Islands are nearly always steep to.
 
Great place for a friendly cruise.
Went into Whiterock SC some years a go .... a bit late and the more hygenic crew wanted showers. I went to the bar to set up the beers and asked when they closed.
The barman/member carefully looked at his watch and said "OCTOBER"!!!!
 
PabloPicasso said:
Ok I'm vaguely planning a cruise into Strangford lough. I'll likely sail with a pal to ardglass and then in as per pilotage.

Once in my wife and two young children will join me and my pal will depart.

So, advice of:
where to go,
which clubs are visitor/child friendly
Things that will keep a 6 & 4 year old entertained locally

Is July a good month to visit?
Click to expand...
The 12th of July is a major national holiday in Nor'n I'rn. Fifty-five per cent of the population are en fete. The rest seem to come south for their holidays. Your religious/political convictions may govern how you feel about being there at this time:)
 
Spirit of Glenans said:
The 12th of July is a major national holiday in Nor'n I'rn. Fifty-five per cent of the population are en fete. The rest seem to come south for their holidays. Your religious/political convictions may govern how you feel about being there at this time:)
Click to expand...

My boat has a blue and white hull and red sails. Will I be safe?
 
Spirit of Glenans said:
The 12th of July is a major national holiday in Nor'n I'rn. Fifty-five per cent of the population are en fete. The rest seem to come south for their holidays. Your religious/political convictions may govern how you feel about being there at this time:)
Click to expand...

Do be careful what you say in public, a guy we used to meet when out sailing each summer had been threatened with knee-capping if he didn't leave "tomorrow". All he did was go into the wrong pub in Ardglass. It did get sorted after (IIRC) the ice plant owner, a friend of his, had a word with the offenders. Personally, we've had no problems but always feel more comfortable down south where people seem far more friendly and laid back.
 
we had a great month up from wicklow with various stops finishing with 12 days in strangford last summer - carlingford lough was great too -
as for friendliness etc - we met some lovely people - suppose its common sense really and treat everyone as you'd expect to be treated yourselves wherever you go -
 
Spirit of Glenans said:
The 12th of July is a major national holiday in Nor'n I'rn. Fifty-five per cent of the population are en fete. The rest seem to come south for their holidays. Your religious/political convictions may govern how you feel about being there at this time:)
Click to expand...

This will be absolutely no problem in Strangford Lough.
 
As stated you wont have any problems with the 12th and for a 'tourist' it can be an impressive event if you know where to go. Any problems over here are between select groups of individuals and do not extend to visitors who will be treated equally kindly by both 'sides'. I think you are more likely to get into trouble in the city of England.
 
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