Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

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Swell today

Direction N, height 0.0 metres, period 0.0 seconds, significant wave height of 0.4 metres.

Haven position?

54° 22.233' N, 005° 40.318' W

Where is that position?

In the middle of the anchorage between Castle and Gibbs islands.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Killyleagh Initial Fix
54° 23.573' N, 005° 37.537' W
Between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are marked by perches. It is set upon the useful transit marked on the Admiralty chart keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island.

(ii) Quoile River Initial Fix
54° 23.614' N, 005° 38.195' W
300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a distinctive red cylindrical brick pillar marker lit QW. From here a bearing of 210°, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the Quoile River.

Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.

What is the story here?

The Quoile River is located on the northeast coast of Ireland within Strangford Lough’s south-western corner. The river was navigable up to Downpatrick but now a tidal barrier, situated at Quoile, makes it the end point for navigation. It offers a very good anchorage with well maintained visitor moorings and a yacht club pontoon in a highly attractive location.

Inside the Quoile River, akin to many of the islands and snug creeks upon the western shore, a vessel will find an anchorage that offers complete protection.

Normal navigation is required when traversing any of Lough’s eighty square nautical miles of shallow basin. The Lough is a completely enclosed waterway but there are a number of drying patches and shoals known as pladdies, some of which uncover whilst others never appear, throughout the Lough. When these are near a principal boating channel or route they are typically marked by poles or beacons. Currents are another complicating factor of the inner Lough. Although not as strong as in the ‘Narrows’ they do not run true in the Lough and tend to take a vessel off course. All of which necessitate some attention to navigation and detailed chart work in daylight.

However this is more than manageable as once a boat is out of the fast-running tidal channel to the south, the more gentle waters around the islands that gave this Lough its old Irish name Lough Cuan, meaning sheltered haven, is a pleasure to sail.

Why visit here?

Quoile is derived from the Irish: An Caol meaning "the narrow" and is a quiet and totally secure anchorage in a highly picturesque part of Strangford Lough.

Immediately adjacent to the anchorage is the Quoile Pondage National Nature Reserve. The Pondage was created in 1957 by the construction of a tidal barrier to prevent flooding in the Downpatrick area. Soon after the barrier was built, plants and trees flourished along the former seashore making it an ideal habitat for a wide range of wildlife.

Facilities at the reserve include the Quoile Countryside Centre with displays on the wildlife and history of the area. Many of these features of historical interest are within the reserve including Quoile Quay situated close to the centre which itself is just beside Quoile Castle. This is a 16th century Tower house that was inhabited into the 18th century.

Another notable building of historical interest is Inch Abbey situated 1.2 km north-west of Downpatrick on the north bank of the river. The abbey was originally situated on an island in what was then the Quoile Marshes and dates back to the year 800 AD. In 1002 a Viking fleet came up the Quoile and plundered the abbey. The settlement was subsequently plundered again in 1149.

Quoile is a must visit location for the cruising boatman as it has it all. It is a picturesque anchorage that is completely protected. Immediately ashore is a number of beautiful nature walks, that include bird hides on the freshwater side, enabling you to enjoy the diversity of wildlife. This comes complete with a welcoming club, that on most Saturday nights there is a bring your own, and good facilities.

How to get in?

Use the entries for Strangford Harbour, Audley’s Roads or Portaferry for guidance on how to approach from the Irish Sea and pass through the five nautical mile long fast-running tidal ‘Narrows’. Any of these lists of directions will guide a boat up through the ‘Narrows’ to the inner Lough.

Having entered Strangford Lough make for the Quoile River Initial Fix between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are both marked by perches. Barrel Rock, uncovers at low water plus normally has racing Mark 4 close by, lies to the north and Skate Rock, uncovers at four hours of ebb plus normally has a racing mark K close by, lies to the south. A useful transit to pass between the Barrel and Skate rocks is available by looking astern upon approach and keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island. The Killyleagh Initial Fix is on this transit indicated on the Admiralty chart between the rocks.

Once between Barrel and Skate rocks do not be tempted to cut directly to the river as the normally unmarked Riggs shoal resides in this area. Continue on to the Quoile River Initial Fix or the area immediately before it if obstructed by moored yachts.
The Quoile River Initial Fix is 300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a highly distinctive red brick pillar marker, that looks not unlike a ‘Rook’ chess piece, and is lit QW. This waypoint places the vessel outside the mouth of the River Quoile. It takes a west-southwest direction from off Killyleagh to Quoile for a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. A bearing of 210° from the waypoint, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the river.
When approaching Salt Island look upriver for the highly distinctive Gibbs Island that is to the north of the anchorage. It is one of the few islands within the Lough to have trees. Indeed its’ collection of mature Scot’s Pine resemble a sprig of broccoli that make it clearly identifiable. Once it is located align with the center of the trees on the island.

The first mark to pick up after this is the Toad Stone perch off the north point of Gore’s Island.

Toad Stone perch - position: 54° 22.460’N, 005° 40.030’W

Come between Gore’s Island and Toad Stone perch, leaving Toad Stone to starboard - you will find deep water up to the mark.

The next iron bea¬con, with a crows nest type structure on top, marks the Gibbs Island or Scotsman’ Pladdy and it should also be left to starboard by a wide berth. Then head for a distinctive tree in the middle of Castle Island and you will find you are in the middle of the moorings.

Here you will find three yellow visitors moorings supported by local council. These are checked annually and are available free of charge to visiting boats.

It is possible to anchor but there could be decades of moorings and you may foul. If you do anchor it is advisable to use a tripping line and only anchor at the perimeter of the mooring area between Castle and Gibbs islands.

Alternatively you can berth alongside the Quoile Yacht Club 40 metre pontoon situated on Castle Island to port, on in through the moorings. One last obstacle lies to starboard before tying up at the pontoon; a small Pladdy just off the pontoon. Pass through the mooring and head towards the end of the pontoon passing the Pladdy to Starboard where you will see a perch and a starboard can to the east of the Pladdy.

Boats cannot be left unattended over night, and the maximum time on the loading bay is 1 hour. This is clearly marked and has to be kept clear. The pontoon can be very busy at weekends but space can usually be found during weekdays. Please give preference to Quoile Yacht Club members if berthing here. There is no charge for berthing but there is a donations box where your support for the club would be appreciated.

Please note although Quoile is completely protected there may be a little chop with very strong northeasterly gales, but it would be a bumpy night at most. Likewise at the pontoon if it is blowing hard you may be asked to move to a mooring to take the pressure off.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast +0202
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 01:11, 13:24, Low waters: 07:09, 19:27
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 01:04, 13:22, Low waters: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
High Water Strangford Quay Dover +0147 springs, 0157 neaps
MHWS 3.6m MHWN 3.1m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.4m
Local high water Dover +0145 or 2 hours 15 minutes after high water at Belfast

Inside the Lough tides decrease significantly
6 Kn between Strangford & Portaferry
4 Kn at Ballyhenry Island
1.5 Kn at Don O’Neill Island

The latest monthly Dover and Dublin (North Wall) 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 Ulster 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. Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 87, Rosslare 23 and Mine Head 83. 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?

The pontoon has water and mains electrical points. Quoile Yacht Club has a bar, toilets, showers, pay washing machine, tumble-dryer and payphone that are all available to visitors. The bar opens Saturday 1700-2300, Sunday 1500-1700, Wed after evening racing. Diesel is available from the pier head by arrangement.

There is a slipway and quay that can be used for drying out alongside and scrubbing plus a winch that can handle vessels up to 40 foot. The nearest shops are in Downpatrick a distance of five miles that would require a taxi. This is a sizable town that serves as a commercial and administrative centre for the locality.

What emergency contacts are there?

Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC). Operational Area: Northern Ireland/ Irish Republic Border, Lough Foyle to Northern/Irish Republic Border Carlingford Lough. Belfast Coastguard (MRSC) VHF Ch 16, liaises closely with IRCG. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.

Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 and 112 and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Police, Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Belfast (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +44 2891 463 933. An inshore lifeboat is maintained at Portaferry.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Quoile Yacht Club
Tel: +44 28 44 612266
Web: www.quoileyc.com
Police: +44 4461 5011, Medical Clinic +44 4461 3016

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred at Quoile.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

The key detail charts are British Admiralty 2156 ‘Strangford Lough’, scale of 37,500:1. and for the ‘Narrows’ 2159 ‘Strangford Narrows’, scale of 12,500:1, including ‘Strangford’, scale of 5,000:1. Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’. ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - East & North Coasts of Ireland’ provides an excellent pilot for this area. Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 21 at a scale of 1:50,000.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades.

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