Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

7°C

Swell today

Direction S, height 1.8 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 2.2 metres.

Haven position?

52° 5.450' N, 007° 37.100' W

Where is that position?

Dungarvan town quay.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is midway between Carrickapane and Carricknamoan rocks. That is approximately 600 metres north of Carrickapane rock, locally known as Black Rock, that is a clearly visible 2.0 metres high sticking up in all conditions. Plus 600 metres south of Carricknamoan that resides 1000 metres east of Ballynacourty Point and is a flat topped rock, and a 4.4 m rocky patch.

What is the story here?

Dungarvan Harbour is a provincial town on the south county Waterford coastline twelve miles northeast of Youghal. It is separated from the sea by a shallow two mile wide eastward-facing bay that restricts access to the latter half of the tide. The town quay dries at low water but there are a few floating berths in deep pools. Vessels planning to lay alongside must be prepared to take to the ground.

The town quay is a completely protected and could be described as a hurricane hole. Attentive navigation is required for tidal planning as vessels should only enter on a rise of tide that is at least equal to the vessels draft. It should be said of Dungarvan that a glance at the bay on a chart can be totally off-putting as access appears very difficult. In practice, with a supporting tide, entry could not be simpler. The entrance channel is easily picked up and marked with ample closely-spaced channel markers so there can be no confusion for a vessel approaching from the east.

Please note it would not be advisable to approach in strong conditions from the south round to the east. Southwest gales send a heavy swell into the bay and those entering on the margins of the tide should factor this in. People unfamiliar with the harbour should avoid entering on an ebb tide.

Why visit here?

Dungarvan derives its name from the Irish Dún Garbháin meaning ‘fort of Garbhan’ or ‘Garbhan's fort’. This refers to Saint Garbhan who founded a church there in the seventh century. It is a pretty and thriving market town with a long history.

Dungarvan’s origins can be traced back to a much earlier period of history. It is recorded that about the third century A.D. that a tribe called the 'Deise' settled on the site where Dungarvan now stands. The Norman Prince John came here in 1185 and had several fortifications built similar to Dungarvan Castle - the remains of which stand beside the river today. In Abbeyside there is a preserved ruins of the Augustinian Priory founded in the 13th century. The sixty foot high square tower, resting on groined arches, was adapted as a belfry for the adjoining Catholic Church and has on its grounds tombs dating back to 1490.

In the nineteenth century the fifth and sixth Dukes of Devonshire redesigned the town. The Colligan River which divides Dungarvan into two is connected by a causeway and bridge that were built by the Dukes. They also constructed the town’s hallmark square and street structure. Dungarvan grew and flourished after this development eventually growing to become the thriving business and residential centre it is today.

Seven miles south of Dungarvan is an area called Ring or, in Irish, An Rinn. It is the second most easterly Irish-speaking area in the country. This offers an opportunity to sample traditional Irish life, where regular Irish music sessions are held in the local pubs to entertain everybody. The Seanchaí pub on the Youghal road is one such example.

Dungarvan is currently the administrative centre of County Waterford and offers an appealing blend of traditional and modern lifestyles. It is an ideal place to provision fuel and supplies as the Town Quay is right in the middle of it. Those who want to make it a base, from which to explore the surrounding countryside, will find seascapes, green placid river valleys and wild rugged heather covered mountains within a short driving distance of the town quay.

How to get in?

Dungarvan Bay is entered between the high bold promontory of Helvick Head on the south and Ballynacourty Point and its outlying rocks to the north. Viewed at high water, the bay presents a large expanse of which the greater part uncovers and the remainder is shallow. A narrow well marked channel along the northern side of the bay, from Wyse's Point to Abbey Point, leads into the town quay located about 2.2 miles west of the entrance. The channel has a least depth of 0.2 metres LWS over the bar and requires a flood tide for access. Using the tide however the channel can admit vessels with draughts in excess of three metres to the quays.

The Dungarvan initial fix is set midway between Carrickapane and Carricknamoan rocks.

That is approximately 600 metres north of Carrickapane Rock, that is central to the entrance of Dungarvan Bay. Locally known as Black Rock, it is a clearly visible 2.0 metres high rock that sticks up in all conditions. A sunken rocky ledge of 1.1 to1.7 metres of cover extends 200 metres from it in a west by south direction. On other parts of Carrickapane it is largely steep-to.

Carrickapane or Black Rock – position: 52° 04.000’N, 007° 32.000’W

600 metres to the northern side of the initial fix is Carricknamoan rock that resides half a mile eastward of Ballynacourty Point. This is a one metre high flat topped rock with a surrounding rocky patch. A reef called Caricknagaddy, nearly all uncovered at low water, extends half a mile from the point in a south-easterly direction, terminating in Carricknamoan. The direction of this reef is indicated by the sector of green light of the lighthouse.

When approaching the initial fix it may be more than difficult to pick out Carricknamoan from the shoreline behind. At deck level the low lying reef appears all as one when viewed from the waypoint. Nevertheless you will clearly see that you are in the middle of the gap and there is plenty of space there as it is 0.6 of a nautical mile wide.

Head west from the initial fix to pass south of the white tower of Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse.

Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s position: 52° 04.688’N, 007° 33.182’W

The Wyse’s Point channel marker will soon be seen approximately half a mile west from Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse.

Wyse - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 5s position: 52° 04.719’N, 007° 33.971’W

From the Wyse buoy, provided the requisite tidal depth is in place, it is simply a matter of following the channel markers into the entrance between Cunnigar Point and Abbey Point. Below are the last noted positions of the channel markers along with the beacons. The above channel buoy positions can be treated as indicative only. The channel tends to move within narrow boundaries depending upon the amount and extent of preceding easterly gales.

Ballynacourty - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 10s position: 52° 04.989’N, 007° 34.483’W

Glendine - Starboard Green Cone FL. G. 10s position: 52° 05.021’N, 007° 34.618’W

Deadman Sands - Port Buoy Red Can FL. R. 8s position: 52° 04.972’N, 007° 34.895’W

Davy Murray - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 8s position: 52° 04.944’N, 007° 35.247’W

Spit Bank - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 6s position: 52° 04.944’N 007° 35.783’W .

Whitehouse - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 6s position: 52° 04.905’N, 007° 35.922’W

Black Strand - Starboard Green Cone Buoy FL. G. 5s position: 52° 05.060’N, 007° 36.267’W

Goileen - Port Red Can Buoy FL. R. 5s position: 52° 05.081’N, 007° 36.343’W

From the entrance between Cunnigar Point and Abbey Point the river fairway up into the town quay is marked by four lighted beacons.

110 - Green Beacon FL. G. 4s position: 52° 05.190’N, 007° 36.722’W

Lookout - Red Beacon FL. R. 4s position: 52° 05.208’N, 007° 36.779’W

Castle - Red Beacon FL. R. 3s position: 52° 05.319’N, 007° 36.838’W

Pond – Green Beacon FL. G. 3s position: 52° 05.341’N, 007° 36.812’W


The key to the channel is capturing a rising tide that supports your vessels draft. At half-tide there should be at least 1.8 metres in the channel between the buoys. This may again vary depending upon preceding winter’s easterly gales, especially so early in the sailing season. Likewise a westerly gale may somewhat diminish the rise whilst an easterly would cause a higher tide and flooding in the town. The depth in the marked channel may have decreased. In the last two years Deadman Sand has been breached and it a narrow deep channel is emerging through it. This is roughly a line from the Wyse to Davy Murray markers. This channel isn't marked yet.

As such it is best to take it steady on the margins of the tide and proceed with a sharp eye to the depth sounder. If you touch the bottom it will only be sand and clay, there are no rocks in the channel.

Inside the harbour there is not enough room to swing in deep water. Several mooring buoys are moored abreast the town and are used by fishing vessels. Bilge keeled vessels that can take to the hard comfortably may avail of borrowed mooring - subject to availability.

Yachts that need to stay afloat can come alongside the yacht club’s jetty who are most accommodating – do contact Dungarvan Yacht Club in advance.

Long keeled craft or vessels that stand well should dry out on the western quay wall and the best berth to aim for is one with a ladder – moor port side on to address the ebb current.

There is reportedly a small pool available that could float a boat up to 1.8 metres at low water and locals can advise as to the location.

What are the tides here?

Today's Dover tides — High waters: 11:11, 23:32, Low waters: 06:21, 18:43 ^{From Tide Times}

Dover -0540
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.3m MLWN 1.1m MLWS 0.4m
The spring rate in the pool is 1.5 kn but may reach 2.5 kn at the entrance between Abbey and Cunnigar Points. There is slight stream of tide in the bay, except along the north shore and through the pool where it can attain speeds of 1.5 kn.

What facilities are available?

This is an excellent location to provision the vessel with everything within a 10 minute walk from the clubhouse jetty. The sailing club are very welcoming and delighted to see travelling sailors. They have showers and a comfortable clubhouse along with the jetty and some moorings that are often offered free of charge. Please reciprocate this courtesy by bringing as much business as possible to the club house.

There is a well-maintained concrete slipway in Dungarvan town, suitable for launching vessels up to eight metres in length. However, larger vessels should only use it up to three hours either side of high tide. Travelling to and from Dungarvan is easy with a regular express bus service to Cork, Waterford and Dublin. It offers excellent communications - the N25 road (European route E30), which connects Cork, Waterford and Rosslare Europort.

What emergency contacts are there?

Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) VHF Ch 83 covers the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal. Carlingford (04), Wicklow Head (02), Rosslare (23) and Mine Head (83) provide relay stations. Coastguard Radio is always called on a working channel. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.

Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 or 121 (free) and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Gardai (police), Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Dublin (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +353 1 662 0922/3

Other useful contacts in this area:
Dungarvan Yacht Club +353 58 45663

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred in Dungarvan. However as you are in the centre of town I would lock up and clear the decks as you would normally do in a busy area such as this.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Admiralty Charts 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ Scale of 150,000 covers this sailing area. Admiralty Charts 2017 ‘Dungarvan Harbour’ Scale of 15,000 is also available. Imray chart C57 and Discovery Ordinance Survey map 82 also cover this area.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford & Austin Flynn Commodore of Dungarvan Yacht Club

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How can I get this offshore?

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What other useful information is available?

The national weather forecast, Met Éireann and BBC shipping forecasts, plus a very simplified Munster tourist outlook. From an Atlantic perspective a 24 hour North Atlantic synoptic chart that you may ‘right click’ and save to your hard disk. Met Éireann’s Eastern Atlantic chart and the BBC’s surface area forecast plus visible satellite images for Ireland and Northeast Atlantic from Met Éireann. Wind observations, XC UK & Ireland, Windguru wind & wave reports, and Windfinder where you can determine a forecast time. Coastal radio stations (VHF Channel) Weather forecast at 0103 and thence every 3 hours updated every sixth. Cork 26, Bantry 23, Valentia 24. Radio broadcasts on RTE 1 (89.1FM) 0603, 1253, 1655 and 2355.

A free tidal range prediction application for windows, a simple tide monitor plus the rule of twelfths are available in inyourfootsteps.com shared ‘experience’.



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