Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

13°C

Swell today

Direction W, height 1.5 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 1.7 metres.

Haven position?

52° 36.060' N, 009° 41.920' W

Where is that position?

New Quay pier head

What is the initial fix?

This is the position of the Shannon Entrance marker, the Ballybunnion North Cardinal Marker Lt Buoy, VQ Fl. 6m.

What is the story here?

Carrigaholt Bay is on the west coast of Ireland situated immediately inside the entrance and upon the north bank of the River Shannon. It provides the first safe harbour for boats travelling up river by anchoring off a quay, with very good holding, or availing of secure moorings.

The bay provides good shelter in winds from south-southwest through west to north. A short sea sets up in conditions from opposite quadrants, south, round through east to northeast. During southwest gales, a long rolling swell sets in around Kilcredaun Point. However by working the bay, moving into the area between the old and new quays, alongside the new quay or by anchoring to the south of Carrigaholt Point, protection from most quarters may be obtained. The bay provides straightforward access having no off lying dangers and being less than two miles from the Shannon’s well marked main shipping route. There are no lights to support a night entry.

Please note in strong winds south through west to northwest there are bad races during the ebb tide at the Shannon entrance. Fish farming has been reported in the northeast side of the bay.

Why visit here?

Carrigaholt, in Irish Carraig an Chabhaltaigh meaning "Rock of the Fleet", lies at the mouth of the River Moyarta, that flows into the estuary of the Shannon. The bay hosts an old fishing port watched over by a 15th century towerhouse.

The towerhouse was built circa 1480 by the McMahons of West Corca Baiscin and was home to the last Gaelic Chieftains. It has a fiery and colourful history that includes rebellions, battles and much pirating of merchant ships headed for Limerick. Amongst these stories was a situation in 1588 where it steadfastly refused permission to land seven ships of the Spanish Armada that had anchored in the bay. Yet, the following year, it was itself captured by O’Brien, the Earl of Thomond, after a four-day siege. The defenders, in breach of the surrender terms, were all summarily hanged. The castles final inhabitants, the Burtons, departed in the late 19th century and all that remains today is a shell of its former nobility.

During the Napoleonic period there were eight defensive stone forts built along the mouth of the Shannon between Carrigaholt and Labasheeda. Of these the nearby Kilcredaun Point Fort still stands in excellent condition.

Today Carrigaholt is a picturesque fishing village centered between two quays. Although both piers are used by fishing boats only the southern pier, or ‘new’ pier, is fully operational on a commercial basis serving fishing boats and dolphin watching boats.

The village has a very attractive centre, displaying distinctive streetscapes and local character. It has two restaurants, a fast food take-away and four public houses, some of which offer live entertainment, particularly during the summer high season. There is a holiday caravan park located nearby. Fishing is still continued in the village with a small number of boats delivering their catches to a local processing company. The village is also a centre for the local farming community.

Carrigaholt Bay is an ideal sailing base for many reasons. Access is convenient and it is the perfect location to wait out a tide, have a night stop in reliably flat waters, go up the Shannon to Limerick or make an early start west to the Blaskets. Furthermore a yacht entering the Shannon seeking shelter from stiff westerlies need go no further.

Most of all it is the perfect River Shannon stepping stone. The River Shannon, in Irish Abha na Sionainne or an tSionna / an tSionainn, is the longest navigable river in the British Isles and its name is derived from the rivers Goddess "Sionna". It flows through 113 km (70 miles) generally southward from the ‘Shannon Pot’ in County Cavan before turning west and emptying into the Atlantic below Carrigaholt. Limerick City stands at the point where the river water meets the sea water of the estuary and beyond the city the river is unaffected by sea tides. Up-stream from Limerick, the Shannon effectively becomes an inland waterway where progress is restricted by locks and bridges - see upriver in the interactive map view. Further information, maps etc. regarding Shannon navigation are available from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

How to get in?

The Shannon Entrance Initial Fix is the position of the Ballybunion North Cardinal that marks the mouth of the Shannon.

Ballybunion - North Cardinal Lt Buoy VQ Fl. 6m position: 52° 32.528’N, 009° 46.944’W

This marker is within Loop and Kerry Heads both of which should be given a wide berth. A conspicuous lighthouse, white 23 metre high tower at an elevation of 84 metres, stands upon Loop Head. It resides 500 metres within the extremity of Loop Head that terminates in a 55 metre high precipice.

Loop Head - Lighthouse Fl (4) 20s, 23M position: 52° 33.672’N, 009° 55.938’W

Strong winds south, through west, to northwest, can cause bad races at the Shannon entrance during the ebb tide. The ebb tide sweeps out in a south-westerly direction. Vessels forced to endure the Shannon ebb tide, or foul conditions, will find the best point of entry along the north shore to the east of Loop Head. This area is free of off-lying dangers, affords some swell protection and avoids the strongest run of the tide.

A main channel approach from Ballybunion North Cardinal will take a vessel to Kilstiffin Red Can Buoy and then to the inner Shannon River entrance.

Kilstiffin Red Can Lt Buoy - Fl R 3s - position: 52° 33.801’N, 009° 43.843’W

The inner entrance to the River lies between Kilcredaun Head, with a lighthouse, to the north and Kilconly Point, on the south, where the entrance narrows to approximately 1.75 miles wide.

Kilcredaun Head Lighthouse - White tower Fl 6s 41m 15M - position: 52° 34.809’N, 009° 42.613’W

The navigable channel is contracted by the nearly mile wide bar ‘Tail of Beal’. It has from 7 to 4.7 metres of cover, with the entrances’ deepest water close to the edge of the shoal, and it is marked by the ‘Tail of Beal’ West Cardinal Buoy.

Access to the Shannon is very straight forward as it is well marked and there are no offshore obstacles off the north shore. Below are a list of the inner entrance markers that can be picked up irrespective of the direction of approach:

Kilcredaun W Lt Buoy - Fl (2+1) R 10s - position: 52° 34.440’N, 009° 41.196’W

Tail of Beal W Card Lt Buoy - Q (9) 15s - position: 52 34.393’N, 009 40.746’W

Carrigaholt Red Can Lt Buoy - Fl (2) R 6s - position: 52° 34.921’N, 009° 40.504’W

It is safe to follow the north shoreline keeping out a few hundred metres. Do note the position of Ladder Rock directly under Kilcredaun Head Lighthouse and the wreck of the Okeanos which shows 1.2 metres at LW under the battery at Kilcredaun Point. Apart from these two inshore obstructions the north coast is clear of dangers.

To the east of Kilcredaun Point the shore falls back to the north, forming Carrigaholt Road and Carrigaholt Bay. Carrigaholt Road, lying to the north of Kilcredaun Point and protected by it, offers a secure anchorage with all westerly component winds.

Carrigaholt Bay shoals gradually towards the shore where it dries and is mostly level throughout. It has the advantage of being free from any great strength of tide. Anchor, north round to east, of the new quay near the conspicuous tower house ruins on Carrigaholt Point, according to your preferred draught where you will find excellent holding in sand over clay and mud.

It is possible to come alongside at new quay where 3 metres LWS can be found at the pierhead. This offers good protection in southerly winds. However this is a very busy fishing quay and it is mostly occupied by lobster boats so a berth cannot be relied upon. In northwest, through north to northeast winds, boats will slam against the wall and those taking to the ground will pound.

If the wind turns to the west or northwest protection may be had to the south of New Quay and Carrigaholt Castle in the north end of Kilcredaun Bay. Good holding in three metres in sand will be found there.

The old quay at the village is only available to shallow or moderate draft vessels at high water and is protected from all conditions. It is also used by fishing boats. Before approaching the old quay it is recommended that it is thoroughly inspected and local advice is sought.

There are eight visitor moorings available in Carrigaholt Bay.

Carrigaholt Bay moorings – position: 52° 36.20’N, 009° 41.70’W

The moorings are rated to 15 tons and are large, coloured bright yellow and labelled VISITOR.

Please note: When anchoring in shallower waters well into the bay observe the tidal heights and note that the chart soundings date back to 1842. Fish farming has been reported about a mile to the northeast of the harbour. Consequently, a night approach may be challenging and, if necessary, a vessel should not stray far from the new quay.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Galway -0015
Today's Galway tides — High waters: 06:20, 18:33, Low water: 11:55
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 00:05, 12:22, Low waters: 07:13, 19:27 (From Tide Times)
MHWS 4.9m MHWN 3.7m MLWN 1.9m MLWS 0.7m

Shannon Entrance
The flood (in going) stream starts at +0100 Dover at 2.5kn
The ebb (out going) stream starts at -0515 Dover at 4kn

Once inside stream rates vary at different points of the estuary. Carrigaholt Bay is off the run of the Shannon and has little, if any, tidal stream. If you take it that the flood starts approximately 5 hours before, and the ebb 1 hour after HW Galway.

What facilities are available?

Water is available on the New Quay. Carrigaholt village is a ten minute walk where basic supplies are available including, groceries, fuel, meat, post office and the food in the public house is reportedly good.

What emergency contacts are there?

Valentia Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) VHF Ch 24 & MF 1752 kHz covers this coastal 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

Other useful contacts in this area:

Kilrush Marina: Phone: +353 65 9052072, Mobile +353 87 2318730
Lock +353 65 90 52155. Marina Ch 80. Kilrush Ch 16, 12
Email: kcm@shannon-dev.ie Web: www.kilrushcreekmarina.ie
Garda: +353 65 51017;
Doctor +353 65 51581 also 51470

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred in Carrigaholt Bay.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Large scale Admiralty Charts 2254 and 2173 cover the south-western and northern approaches respectively. For River Shannon navigation the large scale Admiralty Chart 1819 ‘Approaches to the River Shannon’ scale of 1:50,000 has details of the Shannon Mouth and the Inner Mouth between Kilcredaun Head and Kilconly Point. Inwards from here the detailed charts 1547 ‘River Shannon - Kilcredaun Point to Ardmore Point’ scale of 1:20,000 including Kilrush Creek 1:10,000 is the key chart. For the rest of the Shannon : 1540 ‘River Shannon - Shannon Airport to Limerick’ scale of 1:12,500, 1548 ‘River Shannon - Ardmore Point to Rinealon Point’ scale of 1:20,000, 1549 ‘River Shannon - Rinealon Point to Shannon Airport including Foynes Harbour’ scale of 1:20,000 - Foynes Harbour 1:7,500.

Imray C55 ‘Dingle Bay to Galway Bay’ scale of 1:170,000, covers the west coast from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay and up the Shannon Estuary as far as Limerick City. It includes detail chartlets of all main harbours and anchorages. Ordinance Survey of Ireland, Discovery Series Map ref No. 63 / 64. Scale 1:50,000. Information, maps etc. on Shannon navigation is available from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

With thanks to:

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

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How can I get this offshore?

If a mobile signal is available you can access all of our information via a mobile phone's internet browser. We provide a 'Lite' site, Lite In Your Foot Steps using the shorter initials www.liyfs.com, that presents our data in a simplified, speed optimised format. Similarly, if an internet connection is limited or expensive, switching to the 'Lite' site enables faster and more efficient access.

Alternatively print this page's text, illustrations and photos, but without the internet menu, layout, backdrops and Google maps, or economise upon printer consumables and print this page with text only, to get a hardcopy of this location.

What other useful information is available?

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’.



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