Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

12°C

Swell today

Direction SW, height 0.2 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.7 metres.

Haven position?

51° 37.000' N, 008° 32.000' W

Where is that position?

In the middle of the bay from which you can the original hole existed through the Isthmus from Hole Open Bay East out into Hole Open Bay West.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is approximately 500 metres due south of the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse.

What is the story here?

Hole Open Bay East resides to the immediate northeast of the Old Head of Kinsale upon Cork’s southern coastline.

The bay provides an exposed anchorage that is a convenient place to duck into and wait out a tide, have lunch, check out the caves or maybe even stay overnight in settled conditions. It would not be a place you would leave the vessel for very long unattended as you need a lot of chain to get good holding. It is only protected from conditions with a Westerly component in it. Access is straightforward as it is completely open and absent of obstructions.

Please note that this is a deep water anchorage in fine shale and gravel and you need to be prepared to put out a lot of chain.

Why visit here?

Hole Open Bay is an excellent place to duck into to wait out a tide, have lunch and visit the world famous sea caves and arches. Chief amongst these was one that ran under the Old Head isthmus itself.

In 2008 this spectacular hole, that lends the bay its name, collapsed and was filled by a landslide. This was a pity as in the past in fine weather and slack water it is possible for a tender to pass through this subterranean pass without difficulty from Hole Open Bay East out to Hole Open Bay West. The distance was approximately two hundred metres but it required reasonably settled weather in order to paddle through and you have to be on slack water as the water pours through it on the tide. As this added a fun aspect to the bay we can only hope that the subsided material is washed out by future heavy weather opening the hole once again.

The Old Head of Kinsale itself is a spectacular headland steeped in history and a major landmark to seafarers. The first light was established on the Head in 1665 in a simple cottage lighthouse. The tower was completed in 1843 and was designed by George Halpin. Like all of the other Irish Lighthouses, the Old Head became automated in 1987.

Because this is a major headland there is always a chance of seeing some of the larger marine wildlife. It is not uncommon to spot Sunfish, porpoises or Dolphins either. That’s not forgetting the spectacular bird colonies on the western side of Hole Open Bay.

How to get in?

Approaching from the east is straight forward as there are no obstructions. The Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse is a black tower, two white bands and will be clearly visible.

Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse - Fl (2) 10s position: 51° 36.287’N 008° 32.018’W

The listed anchorage position is 0.8 of a nautical mile due North of the lighthouse itself in the middle of Hole Open Bay East. You will see a small castle on the shore and you can head in and drop the anchor.

Approaching from the West is just as obvious. Just be aware a race can develop for up to a mile south of the Old Head of Kinsale with a run on the tide.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh -0014
Today's Cobh tides — High waters: 06:31, 18:48, Low waters: 00:38, 12:54
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 00:05, 12:22, Low waters: 07:13, 19:27 (From Tide Times)
HW Cobh -0019sp, -0005np
MHWS 3.9m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.4m MLWS 0.6m

The latest monthly Dover Tides and Cobh Tides courtesy of the National Environmental Research Council. Printable monthly tides for Dublin, Dunmore, Cobh, Galway, Belfast are available from the ISA.

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’.

What facilities are available?

Fresh water is available from a tap on the pier and the small village has shops where you can acquire some provisions a short stroll up from the pier. Ballycotton is situated about 25 miles east of Cork city.

What emergency contacts are there?

Valentia Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) VHF Ch 24 & MF 1752 kHz covers this costal area. Cork (26), Mizen (04), Bantry Bay (23), Shannon (28) and Galway (04) 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. Valentia (MRSC) may be called on +353 669 476 109

Any security concerns?

It would be unlikely that you would experience any issues on anchor.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Admiralty Charts 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ Scale of 1:50,000 covers this sailing area. Also 2081 ‘Courtmacsherry Bay’ 1:25000 just manages to include Hole Open Bay West. Also 2049 ‘Toe Head to Old Head’ Scale of 1:50,000 covers this sailing area from the West.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

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