Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

14°C

Swell today

Direction WSW, height 0.0 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.3 metres.

Haven position?

51° 38.024' N, 009° 55.444' W

Where is that position?

The anchorage to the north of the ruins of the older and less conspicuous O'Sullivan Bere Castle on Dunboy point.

What is the initial fix?

This position is approx 600 metres east of Fair Head, half a nautical mile from the entrance, situated on the 024° leading light and beacon on Dinish Island.

What is the story here?

The secluded and picturesque Dunboy Bay resides on the mainland side of Piper Sound just off the western entrance into Castletown Bearhaven. Located in Bearhaven’s highly protected area of water that lies between Bear Island and the mainland to the west, the anchorage offers shelter from all weather conditions except for easterlies. However protection may be found from these conditions by moving up into Traillaun Harbour draft permitting.

Bearhaven may be entered from the west, guided by Ardnakinna Point Lighthouse or to the east assisted by Roancarrigmore Lighthouse, in all conditions and in any state of the tide. As Dunboy Bay resides north of the western entrance this is the quickest route from the south and west.

Though the western entrance is well lit there are unmarked rocks within Dunboy Bay. These are well set out on charts and highly navigable but as a result the bay requires normal daylight navigation. At low water these rocks dry making the navigation very easy.

Why visit here?

Dunboy Bay and Traillaun Harbour are worth visiting simply for the beauty of the location and the peace and quiet. Personally I love the anchorage under the castle that is covered in mature woodland that is rare this far west. Unfortunately the castle ruins and area have had some property development of late but this does not detract from the area.

From a historical standpoint, and particularly visible upon entry, is the impressive ruins of Dunboy Castle two miles west of the town. This is a vast 19th century house built in a mixture of styles by the Puxley family, who made their fortunes from copper mines. The castle was burned out by the IRA in 1920 and the family departed. The roofless shell of the castle is well preserved and the surrounding woods are now open to the public with picnic areas and walks.

Alongside the Dunboy ruins lie the older O'Sullivan Castle that was reduced by the forces of Elizabeth I in 1602 during the Siege of Dunboy. This was the seat of the O'Sullivan Bere who with the support of Spanish aid and other Gaelic lords, went into rebellion against the English Crown. Following the defeat of the Gaelic Clans at Kinsale (1601), O'Sullivan Bere refused to surrender, and fought his way north from here with over 1000 kinsmen. Only 100 made it to O'Rourke's Castle in Leitrim and the defeated O'Sullivan then left for Spain. He was subsequently murdered returning from Mass.

The best place to land to visit the castles is at the small beach beneath O'Sullivan Bere’s castle as the pier in front of the main house is unusable. The grassy mounds of the lower wall of O'Sullivan Bere’s castle make for an ideal place to have a picnic.

All in all this is a wonderful anchorage to take shelter and immerse oneself in the history and beautiful scenery. I spent a couple of nights here in settled weather to get set up for an early start going north through Dursey sound.

How to get in?

The main approach to the harbour lies between Fair Head and Ardnakinna Point Fl (2) WR.10s on the western end of Bear Island. On approach you will find supporting beacons and leading lights all the way into the harbour. The first set lead up to Dinish Island then a second into the inner harbour itself.
You will see the first set of leading lights at the entrance on a bearing of 024° up to Dinish Island. The beacons are Red with White vertical stripes on Castletownbere Lighthouse - Dir Oc WRG 5s – situated on Dinish Island with a hut on the mainland beyond. At night simply keep in white sector.
Follow this bearing up the NNE facing entrance fairway, known as Pipers Sound. The fairway that leads between Naglas Point to starboard and Pipers Point to port narrows to about 350 metres with a least depth of 7.9 metres and you should keep a mid channel route. Once through the sound you simply follow the channel on the transit until you see the distinctive Colt Rock Marker, red with a red horse and rider figure on top, north of the entrance to Dunboy Bay.

Colt Rock Perch - (unlighted) position: 51° 38.068’N 009° 55.087’W

Turn to port off the main channel to the south side of the Dunboy Bay which is free of obstruction, keeping Colt Rock Perch to starboard. Approach mid-way between Colt Rock and Dunboy Point where there is foul ground running 50 metres offshore.

The key rock to identify then is the drying Dunboy Rock that dries to 1.5 metres and is 200 metres north of Dunboy Point.

Dunboy Rock – reported red buoy position: 51° 38.075’N 009° 55.430’W

This reportedly has a red buoy marking it that looks somewhat like a mooring buoy so be cautious. A transit can be made with a solitary ash tree on the edge of the grass above the seawall before Dunboy House. If you keep the central doorway of Dunboy House in clear view, to the left of the ash tree, and you will be on a transit that clears Dunboy Rock to the south. At low water the rock is clearly visible.

Anchor just to the west of the midpoint between Dunboy Rock and the mainland, beneath the ruins of the older and less conspicuous O'Sullivan Castle on Dunboy point. The area has mud throughout with very good holding.

Alternatively you could move further up into Traillaun Harbour. Do note the position of a second rock 100 metres directly north of Dunboy Rock that also dries to 1 metre.


Useful positions worthy of note for a south or western entry:

Ardnakinna Point Lighthouse - Fl (2) WR 10s position: 51° 37.104’N 009° 55.092’W
(White 20 meters high round tower 62 meters above MHWS, range 17M)

Castletownbere Lighthouse – Dir. Oc. WRG 5s position: 51° 38.792’N 009° 54.312’W
(This is Castletownbere’s front beacon and sectored light situated on Dinish Island - White hut, red stripe, 6 meters high, 4 above MHWS, range 14 M).

Harbour entrance starboard beacon - Q.G position: 51° 38.834’N 009° 54.461’W
(Concrete column painted green marking Perch Rock off Dinish Island shoreline)

Colt Rock Perch - (unlighted) position: 51° 38.068’N 009° 55.087’W

Dunboy Rock – reported red buoy position: 51° 38.075’N 009° 55.430’W

Eastern Approaches
Use the following waypoint as an initial fix to get set up for the final approach if arriving from the east:
East entrance initial fix waypoint: 51° 38.670’N 009° 45.840’W
This position is approx 600 metres east of Carrigavaddra Perch south cardinal off Lonehort Point.

The eastern approach to Bearhaven is between Roancarrigmore Fl.WR. 3s, to starboard, and Carrigavaddra South Cardinal Beacon to port. Carrigavaddra is an unlighted beacon upon a 2.7 metre high rocky area half a mile south east of Lonehort Point that is the low eastern most point of Bear Island. The remains of an old pile lighthouse may still be seen on the point.
Pass between these two markers then steer a course of 280 degrees in order to enter Bearhaven well clear of Lonehort Point. Continue down centre of Bearhaven to the Walter Scott South Cardinal buoy leaving:
George Buoy - Fl (2) 10s to starboard.
Bardini Reefer Buoy – North Cardinal Q to port.
Hornet Buoy – South Cardinal VQ (6) + LFl 10s to starboard.
Walter Scott Buoy – South Cardinal Q (6) + LFl 15s to starboard.
No 2 Port marker – Q.R to starboard.
No 1 Starboard marker – Q.G to port.
Colt Rock Perch - (unlighted) to starboard.

Then follow directions as above.


Useful positions worthy of note for an eastern entry:

Roancarrigmore Lighthouse - Fl WR 3s position: 51° 39.180’N 009° 44.820’W
(White round tower, black band, 18 meters above MHWS, range 18M)

Carrigavaddra Perch – South Cardinal (unlighted) position: 51° 38.670’N 009° 46.330’W

George Buoy - Fl (2) 10s position: 51° 39.024’N 009° 49.695’W

Bardini Reefer Buoy – North Cardinal Q position: 51° 38.821’N 009° 51.406’W

Hornet Buoy – South Cardinal VQ (6) + LFl 10s position: 51° 38.859’N 009° 52.171’W

Walter Scott Buoy – South Cardinal Q (6) + LFl 15s position: 51° 38.541’N 009° 54.234’W

No 2 Port marker – Q.R position: 51° 38.345’N 009° 54.689’W

No 1 Starboard marker – Q.G position: 51° 38.078’N 009° 54.702’W

Colt Rock Perch - (unlighted) position: 51° 38.068’N 009° 55.087’W

Dunboy Rock – reported red buoy position: 51° 38.075’N 009° 55.430’W

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh -0030
Today's Cobh tides — High waters: 07:36, 19:53, Low waters: 01:41, 13:56
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 01:04, 13:22, Low waters: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
HW Cobh –0048sp, -0012np
MHWS 3.2m MHWN 2.6m MLWN 1.2m MLWS 0.4m

Bearhaven Entrance
In-going High Water Dover (Cobh +0550)
Out-going +0610 Dover (Cobh -0025)
Max spring rate Western entrance 2 kn,
Eastern entrance 0.5kn.

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?

None save for a beach to land a dinghy upon.

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

Other useful contacts in this area:
Castletown Harbour Master: Captain Peter Murphy
VHF 16 & 14
Tel +353 (0) 27 70220

Any security concerns?

None known; you will be most likely to be here on your own.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

The large scale Admiralty Charts 2424 ‘Kenmare River to Cork Harbour’ Scale of 1:150,000 covers this area. Detail is provided by 1840 ‘Bantry Bay - Black Ball Head to Shot’ Scale of 1:30,000 (including Castletown Bearhaven Scale of 1:15,000 provide detail). Imray C56 ‘Cork Harbour to Dingle Bay’ scale of 1:170,000. The Pilot ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ covers this in great detail.

With thanks to:

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

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