Ireland

Overview

This page covers the area of Dublin Bay to the southern side of Carlingford Lough.

The area described on this page is covered by the following Admiralty charts:

1411 Irish Sea Western Part 1:200,000
44 Howth to Ardglass 1:100,000
1468 Arklow to the Skerries Islands 1:100,000
2800 Carlingford Lough (incl. plans of Warrenpoint and Kilkeel Harbour) 1:20,000
1431 Drogheda and Dundalk Various

The area described on this page is covered by the following Imray Charts:

C62 Irish Sea (covers the entire costs described in the Cruising Notes) Chart C62: Irish Sea (Imray Charts: Home...

Mariners proceeding southwards toward Arklow should be aware that a wind farm has been established on the Arklow Bank. For details of this and other chart corrections please follow this link www.noticetomariners.co.uk.

From Dublin Bay to southwards there are numerous sand banks lying off the Irish coast - all charted and well buoyed. The tide does run strongly in their vicinity and at an angle across the banks - so the tidal stream should be taken into account when planning to pass through the gaps north or south of each bank.

Arklow

Good shelter inside - though should not be entered in strong onshore winds. Their are numerous whelk pots with small buoys, some with a small pole and flag in vicinity of Arklow. In the vicinity of the Codling Bank though are large black plastic drums used to mark pots.

The pier head lights are difficult to see until up to close - due to powerful flood lights have been positioned close by. Be aware that the ebb tide sets toward the southern pier head. There are a number of berthing options within Arklow. Head centrally between the training walls, and the recently created marina lies on the starboard/north side about 800 metres from the pier heads. 

The marina is small with some quite large yachts closely packed - so be well fendered and careful when manoeuvring inside. There is a notice board by the gangway ashore. Telephone numbers are provided so that you can obtain an access code before 2230hrs for the facilities (should the marina manager not be around). The board also provides detail of marina charges.

The above photos were taken in April 2004 when construction of waterside apartments around the marina were in progress.

There is a riverside pontoon. Moorings for locals, and a tidal dock principally for fishing and small commercial craft.

Arklow is the southern most port In Ireland visited by the editor on a long bank holiday weekend. It lies about 101 miles from Douglas Isle Of Man, and can be reached in 21 hours if 5 knots can be maintained.

Coliemore Harbour (Dalkey Sound)

Dun Laoghaire

Surprisingly for such a large marina, diesel was not available when we wanted it - iyt was suggested that we use a petrol station.

 

Howth

A harbour which contains moorings for local craft in its outer part, a marina and a fish dock. The marina is well organised, with an active local racing fleet. Pubs and restaurants ashore. The village of Sutton lies within walking distance. Station at Howth with rail connections to Dublin.

Photo with tower shows an area on the western side of Ireland's Eye which is used by local yachts as a temporary anchorage.

In photo of lighthouse on Howth's eastern pier head, you will note in the background red and green port and starboard hand marks which indicate the channel into the marina.

May see heron's in the vicinity.

Unlit racing marks in the vicinity east and north of Ireland's Eye. Anchorage off Ireland's eye.

Malahide

A buoyed channel, in which moorings for local craft are laid, leads to a large marina. Beyond the inlet largely dries. The village is quite large, with many places where one can eat out. Access restricted to ...

Rogerstown Inlet

An inlet which leaves a narrow pool of water sufficient for a few local craft to remain afloat. Alternatively anchor off the bay in offshore winds. Have seen horse and buggies racing on the sands of the beach around low water.

Loch Swilly

A small harbour, whose quay almost dries. The is sufficient depth of water to anchor in about 2 metres between the reef just outside the quay of the southern tip of the bay.

Lambay Island

Lambay is a private island as declared by a notice on the south pier of the small harbour "No Landing Without Permit".

Talbot Bay

Talbot Bay is close to Burren perch (now a west cardinal mark). Approaching the anchorage three farm outbuildings were visible ahead, and to the left a building side on with a small spire on its western edge - presumably the church. Anchored at low tide between the chord of visible rocks. Small stony beach in centre of the bay. Pilot indicates that it is sheltered from N/NE winds though subject to a tidal swell. There was a tidal flow - perhaps half a knot towards the Burren Perch.

Harbour Anchorage

Approaching anchorage having passed >30 metres west of Burren W cardinal

SW corner of anchorage

NW corner of anchorage

Moved round toward the Harbour, giving Burren Perch more than the 30m clearance suggested by the pilot book. A fair run of N going tide, and mild overfalls passed through - as the tide flows over a shelf running westward in the vicinity of Burren Perch. Swung round to head toward the harbour and into a tidal eddy. Dropped anchor about midway between Burren Perch and the S pier head. Out of the tide (at least during the N going tide, situation in S going tide as yet unknown). Tis spot kept us well clear oif the rock which dries and lies bout 60 off the south pier head. Could see and hear seals on the rock fronting the beach south of the harbour. Also looked like a number of sheep at the waters edge.

Note rocks inside harbour.

Note there is a drying rock 60 metres south of the harbour

Saltpan Bay

Give the N cardinal mark to NW of the island (which replaced the earlier buoy marked "TR") a good clearance before heading into Saltpan Bay. The cardinal mark keep you clear of a ledge which has one or two rocks which dry. Reasonably large, apparently reasonably deep. Cliffs amongst which there were plenty of roosting gulls, with a pebble beach (with lots of flotsam and jetsam) toward the western side of the bay.

Plenty of gulls on the cliffs, and maybe one or two puffins.

The Skerries

A quay used by fishing boats, and a drying harbour. Anchor outside the harbour clear of moorings in the bay. Diesel and water available on the Quay. Yacht club short walk from the quay. Last time the editor anchored in the bay - anchor fouled a ground chain and divers were required - use a tripping line ! Town only a short walk away.

Drogheda

Headed upriver to have a look at the port during over a HW - but left before the tide went out. The apporcah to Drogheda is narrow and mostly very shoal at low water. Chart 1431 shows an anchorage approximately 1.5 miles up the channel at 'Hole'. Tide runs strongly through the channel, and a yacht if found adequate depth care would be needed to ensure that the passage for large ships is not obstructed.

Dundalk

The approach from bay and between the training walls up to Dundalk is about 5.5 miles. No where suitable for fin keel yachts to remain afloat.

Giles Quay

Anchorage on northern side of Dundalk Bay. Shelter from N, approx 1.5 cables south of quay in 2-3m, sand.

Clogher Head

Anchoring close under the head provides anchorage in winds from west to north.

To the southward a shipwreck can be seen showing on the beach. Sometimes ships may anchor seaward of the training wall outside Drogheda.

Port Oriel

Some reconstruction in progress at time of last visit (7/97). A few minutes walk to the village.

Carlingford Lough

The border between Ireland and Northern Ireland runs through the lough. This page describes the harbours and anchorages on the southern side of the lough which lie in Ireland.

Entry and exit from the lough is not recommended in onshore winds against the ebb tide.

Greenore

Situated at the entrance to Carlingford Lough, close to channel through which there are strong tides. The quays are for commercial shipping. Yachts may anchor between the detached breakwater and the quays.

Carlingford

Carlingford harbour, lying in front of the village of Carlingford, dries and is little used. You can anchor in adequate depth of water between the drying Carlingford harbour and Carlingford marina. The photo above left shows the entrance to the latter. The other photo shows some of the pontoons and the marina office and pub/restaurant buildings.

Greers Quay

An anchorage further up the lough suitable in offshore winds.

Warrenpoint

Lies at the head of the lough, and has quays maintained with depths suitable for commercial shipping. Yacht pontoon provided.