Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland

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Harbour position?

55° 12.089' N, 006° 59.134' W

Where is that position?

This is the position of the east pierhead at the harbour entrance where a light stands Fl. G3s 5M.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix
55° 14.155' N, 006° 53.700' W
One mile east of Inishowen Head and 400 metres northwest of Red Tuns Light (port hand) Buoy F1. R.3s. It is set on the 222° line of bearing of the Martello tower on Magilligan Point that leads into the North Channel.

(ii) Lough Foyle South Channel Initial Fix
55° 11.760' N, 006° 57.084' W
Midway between the shore and the southern edge of the Tuns Bank in the narrowest part of the South Channel in approximately 10 metres of water.

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

What LWS draught is available?

3 metres (9.84 feet).

What are the tides and weather here?

High Water Moville +0350 Dover
MHWS 2.3m MHWN 1.8m MLWN 0.8m MLWS 0.3m

Direction of stream
Offshore of Lough Foyle
Dover -0530 East going, +0030 West going; spring rate of 2 knots
In the Entrance
Dover -0320 Ebb (one hour less at Magilligan Point); spring rate of 3.5 knots.

Once inside the main channel the streams gradually reduce in strength inwards to the River Foyle and generally run in the direction of the main channel. A useful eddy 60 metres off the shoreline, that can be taken advantage of during both ebb and flood, is upon the northwest side of the entrance in the area between Warren Point and Moville.

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?

Greencastle is situated on the Inishowen Peninsula upon the north coast of Ireland. It is a small fishing harbour immediately inside Lough Foyle’s entrance on the northwest shore. Although primarily a very busy fishing harbour it welcomes yachts inside the harbour.

Situated at the north end of the Lough Foyle estuary the inner harbour provides complete protection. The three quarters of a mile wide commercial shipping channel, supported by a lighthouse with sectored light, provides safe access in all reasonable conditions. Although tidal streams are occasionally strong, it is accessible at all states of the tide and the channel to the city is very well marked.

Please note many dated publication indicate anchoring outside the harbour is the preferred Greencastle option. This has not been the case for a long time. It places a vessel in the run of the Lough’s tide and is likely to obstruct the Magilligan-Greencastle ferry. Boats visiting Greencastle should come in and most likely berth alongside other leisure vessels already alongside.

How to get in?

A western approach from Malin Head to Lough Foyle will find a rugged Atlantic coastline. Malin Head, the north most point of Ireland, is a low 70 metre high rounded hill with a square derelict concrete tower on top. The shoreline here is bold, jagged and fringed by outlying rocks that are steep-to and always visible. With the exception of Scars Rocks, lying about 400 metres west of the headland and always visible, there are no off-lying obstructions. A berth of 300 metres or more clears all dangers here but it gets more challenging once Malin Head is rounded.

Careful advance planning is required as this corner of Ireland has to be treated with the utmost of respect. Here the Atlantic Ocean collides with the runs of the Irish coastal tide amidst two rocky island groups, the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull.

The Garvan Isles that reside to the east of Malin Head. They are a collection of barren islands ranging from 15 to 22 metres in height that are surrounded by sunken rocks and shoals. Inishtrahull is a sizable uninhabited island situated three miles northwest of the outermost Garvan Isle. It is nearly a mile long and is made up of two rounded hills joined by a stretch of low ground with a lighthouse at its western end.

Inishtrahull Lighthouse - Fl(3)15s 59m19M position: 55° 55 25.864’N, 007° 14.628’W

The south side of the Inishtrahull is steep-to and clear of danger. However a dangerous 22 metre high arc of rock called the Tor Rock resides nearly a mile off Inishtrahull’s north side that requires attention.

There are three approaches to rounding Malin Head; the first, go through Inishtrahull Sound, the second go through Garvan Sound, the third, go way offshore and round Inishtrahull and the Torr Rocks.

If there is any sea running, bad weather, an adverse tide, or you are in doubt in any way, it is advisable to take the third option that is the safest route. Head out to sea and take the offshore route around the outside of Inishtrahull. Those taking the offshore route should give Inishtrahull, and more importantly the off lying Torr Rocks, a wide berth of at least three miles.

However if conditions are good with daylight and the inclination is towards more interesting sailing, the routes through either of the ‘Sounds’ are much shorter options. The first is the offshore Inishtrahull Sound route between the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull and the latter is the Garvan Sound route between the Garvan Isles and the mainland. It should be noted there is only a mile to be saved by taking the slightly more complex inshore Garvin Sound route. The best advice to address either of these routes is to carefully study Garvan Isles and Sound charts well before the approach and factor in the tide to the timing. Here are some useful notes to observe.

For the three mile wide Inishtrahull Sound route the key rocks to note are Doherty rock that resides a quarter of a mile to the northwest. They uncover at three-quarters ebb when they are clearly visible by the breakers. Also Duvglas, the northernmost islet, that has an elevation of 17 metres. Once the Garvan Isles are abeam to starboard make way towards Glengad Head.

For the Garvan Sound route, the key rock to locate is the covered Blind Rock with 1.8 metres of water over it. It is situated approximately 800 metres to the northeast of a point on the mainland, and is to be left to the south passing through the sound. By keeping the Chimney Rock at Carrickaveol Head (approximately 4 miles east by southeast on the mainland coast) just open of the singular 70 metre high Stookaruddan (bold and loaf-shaped, 1.5 miles closer on the mainland coast) a vessel will pass approximately 400 metres to the north of the Blind Rock. This should represent a 117° line of bearing to track in.

When past Blind Rock and approaching Carnadreelagh Isle, or the low flat-topped Rossnabartan Isle comes due south, turn hard to the southeast for a very short leg to bring Stookaruddan onto a 115° bearing shutting Chimney Rock in behind it. This leads through the 600 metres wide Garvan Sound that exists between Carnadreelagh Isle and the 2.1 metre rock patch to the southwest of the cut. The least depth of the sound is 12.8 metres and once the Garvan Isles are abeam to port, make way towards Glengad Head.

Glengad head is a bluff headland with a remarkable hill near its extremity. The coast from Glengad Head to Inishowen Head, a distance of 10 miles in a south by southeast direction, is characterised by 100 to 200 metre high cliffs that are backed by high inland hills. It is steep-to and free from danger with 20 metres of water a quarter of a mile off. A berth of 300 metres off the shore clears all dangers in this area. Two and a half miles south from Glengad Head is Culdaff Bay where a separately covered anchorage is available plus Kinnagoe and Tremone bays provide beach landings but no facilities in offshore winds.

Backed by high hills, the bold, precipitous and considerably indented, Inishowen Head terminates the lough’s mountainous north shore. The abrupt precipice is free from dangers extending more than 300 metres offshore and it is well marked. Two miles to the northeast of the head is the Lough Foyle Buoy, a safe water pillar buoy.

Lough Foyle Buoy - L Fl 10s position: 55° 15.322’N, 006° 52.616’W

Once Inishowen Head is abeam make for the listed ‘Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix’. This is set close to the Tuns buoy and tracks in southwest on the 222° line of bearing of the Magilligan Point Martello tower.

Tuns Buoy - F1 R 3 position: 55° 14.004’N, 006° 53.440’W

Half a mile south of Inishowen Head upon Dunagree Point resides Inishowen Lighthouse.

Inishowen Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s2 8m 18/14M position: 55° 13.556’N, 006° 55.749’W

Locally known as ‘Shrove’ or ‘Stroove’ Lighthouse it is a substantial white tower with two black bands. Inishowen Lighthouse provides a sectored light support for the commercial channel as follows Fl (2) WRG 10s W18M, W211° to 249°, R14M 249° to 360°, G14M from 197 to 211°. Please note there is also a smaller disused lighthouse that is white with one black band situated approximately a mile from Inishowen Lighthouse.

This leads into the main shipping channel called the ‘North Channel’ that resides between the Tuns Bank on the east and the Donegal’s Inishowen shore on the west.

The ‘North Channel’ is deep, steep-to on both sides, well marked and three quarters of a mile wide and it keeps the Tuns Bank to Port. This bank extends about 3 miles in a north-easterly direction from the Macgilligan shore. Its highest part is near the south edge, which is steep-to on the west side, and it runs nearly parallel to the opposite Inishowen shore. You can expect to see breakers on the bank upon approach to help make its location visible.

Continuing south in this channel leads past the Warren Lighthouse, a mile and a quarter to the southwest, on the north side of the entrance, a round white tower F1 1.5s 8m 4M with green abutment. Lough Foyle is then entered between Macgilligan point and the Inishowen shore. Magilligan Point has a pile structure light beacon off the point Q.R. 7m 4M.

An eastern approach from Portrush or Ramore head, will find Portrush Bay shoals gradually inwards towards the strand – for coastal directions from further east please use details provided in the Portrush Harbour entry. Upon the Bay’s west side lies Rock Doo, 200 metres out from the shore drying to 1.2 metres, and about 200 metres further to the west of it is the Moat, a half-tide rock.

From here a rocky shoreline leads two and a half miles west by southwest to Portstewart Point and this has two rocks in its immediate vicinity that require attention. The nine metre high Black Rock, 100 metres northeast of Portstewart Point, and a half-tide rock called Lausons Rock, 150 metres out from Black Rock.

From Portstewart Point the rocky coast turns south and levels to a sandy beach backed by a range of sand-hills. This shoreline leads to the River Bann entrance, two miles southwest of Portstewart Point. From the river entrance the coastline is fronted by a low sandy beach extending nine miles to Magilligan Point with rocky precipices rising to Mount Benevenagh’s 396 metre summit a short distance inland. A mile west of the River Bann entrance, upon the cliff edge, the conspicuous classical Mussenden Temple will be noticeable, a white tower approximately five metres in height.

With the exception of the Tuns Bank, at the Foyle entrance, this passage is clear of any danger save for the shoaling beach. By keeping the easterly approach at least half a mile off shore the passage will be clear of all dangers.

An easterly approaching vessel has two available options to enter Lough Foyle. These are, north around the Tuns Bank, and enter via the ‘North Channel’ as already described in the western approach, or an alternate approach via a ‘South Channel’.

The ‘South Channel’, locally known as the back strand, resides between the Tuns Bank and the Macgilligan shore. It has a least depth of 3.4 metres upon approach, is about 400 metres wide at its narrowest part and, although unmarked, it is straightforward. Utilising this channel avoids heading out to the Tuns buoy so that an inshore approaching vessel, from Portrush or the River Bann for instance, can save two or three miles of sailing. It is particularly convenient for a vessel attempting to enter against the ebb with offshore winds. In this case it is possible to anchor off Magilligan strand to await the flood.

The latter ‘South Channel’ is addressed by coming inshore and approaching along the coast at a distance off of about 600 metres. Half a mile before Magilligan, come closer inshore to a distance off of 400 metres, to make way through the final cut south of the Tuns Bank. Once Magilligan point is abeam you are safe to turn into Lough Foyle between Macgilligan point and the Inishowen shore, a distance of half a mile with deep water all the way. Please note if using the South Channel on an ebb tide be attentive to navigation as it sets strongly across the channel towards the unmarked southeast edge of Tuns Bank.

From there it is simply a matter of making for Greencastle Harbour on the northwest shore opposite to Macgilligan Point. A conspicuous white tower on the quay of the fishing harbour and the grey tower of the church will be clearly visible upon approach. At night a sectored light leads into the harbour and there are lights on the pierheads Fl. G3s 5M to starboard Fl. R3s 5M to port.

Yachts should come into the harbour and berth alongside other leisure craft in the harbour, a fishing boat or tie up to the pier. Do not come alongside the pilot boat or berth in such a fashion that will obstruct it. Depths of up to five metres will be found inside the entrance dropping to two metres further inside the harbour.

It is possible to anchor outside the harbour clear of the ferry and harbours fishing boat traffic but it is much less appealing. Those who elect to do so should buoy the anchor as the bottom is foul with old moorings and dig the anchor in well as there is little protection from the tide here. Land either at Queen's Port or west pier at the southwest entrance point or come alongside in the harbour.

What facilities are available?

Water is available at a tap on the pier in the harbour and a nearby garage provides petrol and diesel. Marine repair work, based around the fishing fleet’s steel or wood work, are available at a yard alongside the harbour.

The Magilligan-Greencastle ferry that reportedly saves 78 km (or 49 miles) of driving, which would be through Derry operates from here. The harbour is located about 20 miles from Derry a regional city hosting an urban population of 90,000. It has a wide variety of excellent restaurants, bars, shopping, and all other facilities to offer. Likewise transport connections are very good as Derry serves as a major transport hub for nearby Counties Donegal and Tyrone as well as Derry City itself. Buses and trains are available for destinations throughout Ireland from here.

City of Derry airport is the main regional airport with year round scheduled flights to UK, Republic of Ireland and Europe offered by Aer Arann and Ryanair. Further flight options are available via Belfast International Airport, the main regional airport, and George Best Belfast City Airport that are accessible by bus and train.

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. The Irish Coast Guard has a coastal unit at Greencastle.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Greencastle Harbour Master Mobile: +353 872 50 2231
Londonderry Harbour Master: VHF Ch 16 and 14 ~ Call sign "Harbour Radio"
Phone: +44 28 71 861113; Mobile: +44 780 1032387

Why visit here?

Greencastle (An Caisleán Nua in Irish), derives its name from the castle that was built in 1305 to provide an Anglo-Norman power base in the northwest.

A more modern Martello Fort was built beside these Norman ruins in the 19th century to stand opposite the Macgilligan Point Tower to defend the Lough Foyle approach at the time of Napoleon. Likewise the first substantial pier was built at Greencastle in 1813 and has been added to several times since. Indeed today the pier also contains a newly built pilot office to replace the decommissioned pilot office at the separately covered Carrickarory Pier.

Today, as well as being a tie up for trawlers, it is the home to an excellent maritime museum located in the old coast guard station in Greencastle harbour. The museum displays a wide variety of marine history from the emigration story to local fishing boats and methods. It also features planetarium laser technology that offers educational and entertaining star shows.

Nowadays, placing the decline in the fishing industry, alongside Greencastle’s scenic rugged Inishowen Peninsula location, it has come to resemble more closely a 'typical' Donegal holiday village. With such good shore facilities with interesting entertainments alongside, that is positioned immediately inside the entrance of Lough Foyle, it has become a key steppingstone for the Irish coastal cruiser.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to occur to a vessel anchored outside Greencastle, alongside all normal security provisions should be attended to on an open quay.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 2798 ‘Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island’ scale of 200,000:1 and 2723 ‘Western Approaches to the North Channel’ scale of 200,000:1 large scale. Closer in Admiralty 2811 ‘Sheep Haven to Lough Foyle including Inishtrahull’ scale of 75,000 and Admiralty 2511 ‘Approaches to Lough Foyle’ scale of 25,000:1 and 2510 ‘Approaches to Londonderry’ scale of 25,000:1.

Imray chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 3 and 4 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:

Bill McCann, Londonderry Harbour Master and Terry Crawford, local boatman of many decades.

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