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Ballydowan, Larne Lough, County Antrim, Ireland

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Harbour position?

54° 49.716' N, 005° 45.818' W

Where is that position?

This anchorage is within Larne Lough and off Islandmagee’s western shore. The position is immediately south of the small spit of headland extending south from Ballydowan upon the lough’s eastern shore.

What is the initial fix?

The following waypoint will set up a final approach:

Larne Harbour Initial Fix
54° 51.680' N, 005° 47.530' W
Half a mile north of the harbour and approximately 200 metres East of Larne No. 1 Light buoy (starboard hand) Green buoy, Q (3) 10s. The waypoint is upon the alignment of 184.3° that leads through the centre of the entrance channel.

What LWS draught is available?

2.2 metres (7.22 feet).

What are the tides and weather here?

High Water Dover +0100, Belfast + 0005
MHWS 2.8m MHWN 2.5m MLWN 0.8m MLWS 0.4m

Tidal streams outside of Hunter Rock run in line with the general direction of the coast. Inside Hunter Rock the streams gradually shift to run across the entrance to Larne Lough. In the channel the ebb and flood approximately start at LW and HW Dover, running in the direction of the channel at a maximum rate of 3kn.

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 considerations are there?

Ballydowan is located inside Larne Lough upon the northeast coast of Ireland. It is a secluded anchorage just under a mile southwest of the busy commercial port and alongside a popular local mooring area.

Larne Lough provides complete protection. Larne Harbour may be accessed day or night, at any stage of the tide and in all reasonable conditions. However the trek down to the anchorage requires normal navigation as once south of the port area there are few if any navigation aids.

Please note Larne Harbour is a busy commercial port and is Northern Ireland's busiest ferry port. There are as many as eight thousand ship movements a year here, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Yachts must keep clear of commercial shipping entering and leaving.

How to get in?

Larne Lough may be approached from the north or southeast, on either side of the 0.8 metre Hunter Rock that lies two and a half miles northeast of the entrance - or 036° from Ferris Point the entrance’s eastern point.

Hunter Rock is marked by North and South Cardinal Light buoys and the well marked shoal is the only danger in the approach.

North Hunter - VQ position: 54° 53.046’N, 005 45.114’W

South Hunter - VQ (6) + LFl 10s position: 54° 52.691’N, 005 45.284’W

Further out to sea from Hunter Rock, a distance of 4.5 miles from Larne and nearly 4 miles east of Ballygalley head, consist two clusters of rocks, separated from each other by a deep and wide sound called the West and East Maiden. The Maidens are steep-to all round and are marked by a lighthouse with a white tower and black band on the East Maiden - plus the remains of a West Maiden lighthouse that was taken out of service in 1903.

Maidens Lighthouse - Fl (3) 20s 29m 24M position: 54° 55.748’N, 005° 43.709’W


Approaching from the north you will find the coast for the distance of eight miles to the northward of Larne is backed by a rocky mountain range attaining a height of 380 metres, and terminating in Park head. This is a conspicuous headland of a nearly perpendicular 140 metres high cliff near Glenarm. Closer in to Larne at a distance of 3.5 miles is Ballygalley head. This is a round knob 89 metres high with a steep cliff; its base is fringed by craggy basaltic rocks. Nearby stands the ruin of the ancient castle of Ballygally. It is possible to wait a tide here and the entire stretch of coast line to Park head is clear of off lying dangers with good depths close in.

Approaching from the south the coast to the northward of Black Head, marked by Black Head lighthouse a white 8-sided tower, presents a steep perpendicular cliff, composed of black basaltic rocks, that at ‘The Gobbins’ is 45 metres high, again with deep water close in.

Blackhead Lighthouse - Fl 3s 45m 27M position: 54° 46.016’N, 005° 41.338’W

Muck island, 5 miles to the northward of Black head, is attached to the shore by a narrow neck of shingle beach, its east or sea face presents a perpendicular cliff. It is possible to stop a tide on either side of it. On rounding Muck island, steering Northwest by North for 3 miles and give Skernaghan Point a berth of 500 metres to avoid a rocky outcrop that stretches northward. Likewise Barr and Ferris Points one should keep at least 200 metres off as Larne Harbour comes into view.

Yachts should take care not to impede commercial traffic approaching Larne. When approaching it is recommended that you make ‘Larne Port Control’ aware of your intentions who will advise all mariners on ship movements, weather, tide, etc. The call sign for the Port of Larne is 'Larne Port Control' on VHF Ch. 14, telephone 028 28 872179.

From the initial fix close to No. 1 Green buoy, Q (3) 10s, you may come straight in on the leading lights, in line 184°, if the harbour is free of commercial shipping movements.

Front light Beacon No. 11 - Oc4s position: 54°49.597N, 005°47' 806’W

Beacon No. 11 is a white diamond, red stripe, on red pile structure 6 metres high. The rear light, Beacon No 12, is a white diamond, red stripe on aluminium round tower, 14 metres high approximately 600 metres further south.

You will see several landmarks clearly from here. Chaine Tower, a tall grey tower with conical top standing on Sandy Point marks the Western side of the entrance to Larne Lough. Approximately 700 metres east-southeast of this is Ferris Point a disused lighthouse with its square white watch tower and surrounding white walls upon the opposite, eastern, side. Behind this is the red brick Ballylumford Power Station with three 126 metres high concrete chimneys.

Track in on the transit toward these landmarks past the No. 3 Green buoy Fl (2) G 6s and you will find the 180 metres wide entrance channel providing at least 8 metres of water all the way through. On entering steer between the quays to starboard and two pile beacons to port: North Pile - Fl.R.3s black metal post, square cage topmark, and South Pile - FI(2)R.6s white metal post, cone topmark.

Continue south through the harbour past Ballylumford Power Station and its pier, between the L-shaped ‘A’ wharf and No.7 buoy and then along the western shore of Islandmagee. Here you will find the Larne Lough’s eastern shore covered by a gravelly foreshore that dries up to 200 metres off. Outside of this is a channel that is approximately 200 metres wide carrying 6 metres of water for half a mile, then 4 metres to 2 metres abreast of Mill Bay.

Ballydowan is approximately a mile from the harbour and will be easily located by the local boats moored there. Anchor 100 metres offshore in depths of 2 to 3 metres to the northwest of local boats. There is good holding here and very little tidal flow.

Please note there is a wreck of a schooner within this anchorage and its masts no longer shows at high water. It is marked on Admiralty 1237 and lies 100 metres off the shore approximately 250 metres southeast of the tip of Ballydowan.

There are more anchorages in the Lough than we have posted and especially so for shallow draft vessels that can take to the hard. Although the Lough presents a large surface at high water the rest of it consists mainly of drying flats and shoal banks of fine muddy sand, particularly so on the west side.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Ballydowan and little or nothing ashore apart from an old disused lime kiln. There is a small settlement to the southeast in Mill Bay.

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.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Port of Larne
VHF: Ch. 14 'Larne Port Control'
Phone: +44 28 872179.
East Antrim Boat Club,
Address: Curran Point, Larne, County Antrim, BT40 1AU
Phone: +44 28 2827 7204; VHF: 37
Doctor: +44 28 275331; Police +44 28 272266

Why visit here?

Ballydowan is situated on the sparsely populated western shore of Islandmagee (from the Irish: Oileán MhicAodha meaning "MacAodha's island"). The island is truly a peninsula located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus with Larne Lough separating it from the mainland. Ballydowan was originally a lime kiln and its disused remains are visible today ashore.

The island has a long history that dates back to the mesolithic period. Neolithic houses have been excavated on Islandmagee peninsula and finds include Neolithic pottery, polished stone axe fragments, flint arrowheads and javelin heads. Indeed at Ballylig, upon Larne Lough, two dugout boats were found in peat that were radiocarbon dated to approximately 3500 BC. The island hosts the Ballylumford Dolmen that is estimated to have been constructed in 2000 BC. Known locally as the "Druid's Altar", it consists of four upright stones, with a heavy capstone.

Curiously, and in relatively modern history of 1710 and 1711, arrests were made in Islandmagee that led to Ireland's last ever witch trial in Carrickfergus. Eight women were convicted of witch craft. They were sentenced to one year's imprisonment and were each to be four times pilloried.

Today this remote anchorage is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Larne. Hidden away behind the gentle gradients upon Islandmagee’s western shore upon the sheltered waters of Larne Lough.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred in Ballydowan.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 1411 ‘Irish Sea - Western Part’ and 2724 ‘North Channel to the Firth of Lorne’ scale 200,000:1 plus 2198 ‘North Channel - Southern Part’ scale of 75,000:1 is a good planning chart for the area. The key detail chart is British Admiralty 1237 ‘Larne Lough and Approaches’ scale of 10,000:1. Also Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’ Chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 9 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.

How can I get this offshore?

If you are receiving a mobile signal you can access all of our information via a standard mobile phone internet browser. We provide a streamlined version of the site at www.liyfs.com, which is a shortcut to our 'Lite' site called Lite.InYourFootSteps.com, that is simplified and optimised for speed. Here are the phonetics to pass the address on via VHF: WWW.LIYFS.COM, I SPELL... LIMA... INDIA... YANKEE... FOXTROT... SIERRA... DOT.COM. Similarly, if you have limited or expensive internet capabilities, you may switch to the 'Lite' site www.liyfs.com for faster more efficient access.

Alternatively you may print a hard copy to have aboard. Either print this page with 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.

With thanks to:

Terry Crawford, local boatman of many decades.

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