Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

14°C

Swell today

Direction SW, height 0.7 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 1.0 metres.

Haven position?

52° 3.300' N, 007° 32.714' W

Where is that position?

At the head of Helvick Harbour’s pier where the west facing entrance will be found.

What is the initial fix?

This is quarter of a mile east by southeast of the Helvick East Cardinal marker. It is set on the Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse’s 325°(T) westernmost red sector edge (covering Carrickapane). A course of 250°(T) for just over half a mile from here will lead into the harbour.

What is the story here?

Helvick is situated on Ireland’s south coast beneath Helvick Head and on the southeast most point of Dungarvan Bay. It is a small artificial fishing harbour protected by a breakwater that offers an anchorage plus the opportunity to come alongside in the harbour.

This is a good anchorage from anything south round to southwest. Depending upon the vessels draft a berth alongside the fishing pier may also be available that offers protection from all quadrants except for north-westerlies that make it choppy inside. In these circumstances it is best to head across the bay to Dungarvan. Access is straightforward, at any state of the tide, night or day but the bay should be entirely avoided in easterlies.

Please note seasonal visitor moorings were available in the past in Helvick but have been removed. There is a limited amount of deep water quayside available in the harbour and many fishing vessels require this section. If an alongside berth has been secured be prepared to move if it is required by a fishing vessel.

Why visit here?

Helvick derives its name from the Irish Ce Heilbhic the meaning of which is unknown; it is almost certainly not Irish and is generally considered to be Scandinavian. It is a small picturesque and tranquil harbour overlooked by a row of charming fisherman’s cottages. The harbour dates back to the middle of the 19th century when it was built by the principal landowner in the district Lord Stuart de Decies.

The harbour is a keystone of the Gaelic speaking ‘Coastal Gaeltacht’ district of the ‘Ring’, or in Irish An Rinn. The Irish name An Rinn is thought to be derived from the long sandy dune spit guarding the inner bay locally known as ‘The Cunnigar’, or in Irish An Coinig. This Gaeltacht district is the smallest coastal area and second most easterly Irish-speaking area in Ireland and its development has been bolstered by the Irish Language College in the village of Ring Colaiste Na Rinne that was founded in 1909. The language plays an important role here with the community conducting all their business in Gaelic. It makes for a unique visitor experience, as the love of Irish music, song and dance, together with the language is very special. Reputedly the famous Irish folk singing group ‘The Clanceys’ first made their musical name in the Ring district.

The imposing promontory of Helvick Head is a place of great beauty that has been designated an Area of Special Protection. The impressive mainly sandstone cliffs rise to 70 metres above sea level and make an ideal nesting area for various species of seabirds. Those who enjoy a good hike will find the 7 km ‘Helvick Head Walking Trail’ the best way to experience the headland. The trail takes the hiker along heathland, close to the shoreline, and then onwards up to the summit that offers fabulous views over Dungarvan Bay with the surrounding mountains in the backdrop. The official commencement and finish points of this trail, somewhat ideally for many, are to be found by Mooney’s Pub on the R674 road.

For those who enjoy a more challenging activity Helvick Head is also a noted rock climbing location. For those inclined towards climbing ‘The Gainers’ locally known as Goat Islands are also a good location. The group of fragmented rocks can really be considered an extension of Helvick Head itself. They may be reached by landing in or about the gap separating it from the mainland or upon sheltered rocks. The largest grass topped inner island is reachable on foot at LW springs. Climbers will find the outer rocks pleasant to explore for their gaps, passages and small cliffs.

From a boating perspective this is an excellent and quickly accessible location on this coast to avoid some weather or wait out a tide. There are no obstructions coming from the east or from the sea so it is very easy to drop in and out and be on your way very quickly. It is a useful tide wait location for Dungarvan or indeed a good quiet alternative to the bustling harbour. Although the harbour may be crowded when the fishing fleet is in it is equally quiet when they are at sea.

How to get in?

The ‘Route: Rosslare to Cork coastal description’ provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the east should select the westbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the southwest should select the eastbound sequence; southern approaches may use either description.

Dungarvan Bay is entered between the high bold promontory of Helvick Head on the south and Ballynacourty Point and its outlying rocks to the north. Viewed at high water, the bay presents a large expanse of which the greater part uncovers and the remainder is shallow. Helvick is situated on the southern side beneath Helvick Head.

From this initial fix come in directly to the harbour on a bearing of 250° (T) standing off the inner headland at least two hundred metres to keep clear of obstructions.

This passes to the south of the Helvick Buoy plus the Helvick Rock and The Gainers that it marks.

Helvick – East cardinal Q (3) 10s position: 52° 03.611’N, 007° 32.251’W

Helvick Rock, situated 400 metres to the west of the marker, has 1.4 metres of water.

The Gainers, situated about half a mile to the northwest of Helvick Rock, is a rocky shoal that uncovers at low water. To the west of these rocks the bay is entirely choked with sandbanks.

Pass Helvick harbour straight up to the anchorage approximately 200 metres northwest of the harbour entrance and anchor in 3 metres with sand and shale.

Yachts may also berth alongside the inner side of the breakwater if unoccupied by fishing vessels. Vessels entering the harbour will find the entrance faces westward with depths in the entrance itself about 1.5 metres. There is also a small 0.5 metres patch off the north pier so keep at least 30 metres off the wall before rounding to come in the entrance. It should also be noted, at low water there is scarcely room to turn around inside the harbour as a large section of the southern portion dries.

The deepest water is on the south breakwater side of the entrance. This section of the pier is busy due to a limited amount of deep water quayside berths being available. Some dredging has been carried out to give 2 metres along the length of the pier but it is always subject to silting and you cannot rely upon it at any given time.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Cobh +0007
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)
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.3m MLWN 1.1m MLWS 0.4m
More accurately HW Cobh +0000sp, +0010np, or alternatively -0556 Dover

The spring rate in the pool is 1.5 kn but may reach 2.5 kn at the entrance between Abbey and Cunnigar Points. There is slight stream of tide in the bay, except along the north shore and through the pool where it can attain speeds of 1.5 kn.

What facilities are available?

Helvick has few facilities except for the infrastructure of the quay and its slipway. Supplies can be got from one mile away. Duncannon, on the north side of the bay, offers better provisioning potential.

What emergency contacts are there?

Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) VHF Ch 83 covers the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal. Carlingford (04), Wicklow Head (02), Rosslare (23) and Mine Head (83) 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. Dublin (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +353 1 662 0922/3

Other useful contacts in this area:
Dungarvan Yacht Club +353 58 45663

Any security concerns?

It would be unlikely that you would experience any issues on anchor or moorings.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Admiralty Charts 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ Scale of 150,000 covers this sailing area. Admiralty Charts 2017 ‘Dungarvan Harbour’ Scale of 15,000 that includes Helvick is also available, and Admiralty Leisure Folio SC5622 Ireland - South Coast, Kinsale to Waterford provides more detail. Imray chart C57 and Discovery Ordinance Survey Map 82 also cover this area.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford & Austin Flynn Commodore of Dungarvan Yacht Club

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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?

RTE provides a highly simplified national and provincial outlook. More detail can be found from Met Éireann’s (the Irish National Meteorological Service) eastern Atlantic 24 hour synoptic, the current Irish sea area forecast and Irish observations.

The UK Met Office also provides a shipping forecast plus visible satellite and infrared satellite imagery to enable close observation of approaching frontal systems. This movement information makes it easy to predict when a weather event will affect a location thus providing an accurate estimate as to when the typical Irish sharp veer, off the back of a cold front, will arrive. Another useful resource is the 21st Operational Weather Squadron that provides Atlantic and European synoptics.

XC Weather provides a local view of wind conditions direct from and array of reporting station manned along the British Isles. Three hour historical info plus expected wind direction and strength for the next couple of days are available on this site and it is possible to interpolate between stations.

Wind guru is an international surfing site that provides a view on eighty five beaches around the coast of Ireland. It offers wind and wave information plus meteorological data such as temperature, wind speed and direction. The sites wind, wave height and direction information enables a good picture of a seaway, wave against wind or tide etc., to be understood.

Whilst off-line national weather information is broadcast as follows:

Coastal radio stations (VHF Channel)
Weather forecast at 0103 and thence every 3 hours updated every sixth.
Cork 26, Bantry 23, Valentia 24, Shannon 28, Clifden 26, Malin Head 23, Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 87, Rosslare 23, and Mine Head 83.

RTE Radio 1 Sea area forecast: 24 / 48 hour outlook and gale warnings rounding the country in a clockwise direction from headlands to headland.
FM 88.90 MHZ or MW 567khz/529m and 729khz/412m.
Weekdays 0602, 1253, 1823, 2355; Sundays 0633, 0755, 0855, 1253, 1823, 235

BBC Radio 4 Sea area forecast:
LW 198khz/1525M. VHF92.4/94.6MhZ
Daily 0048, 0535 (0542 on Sundays, 0556 Saturdays), 1201,1754.

Precise monthly Dover, Dublin, Cobh, Limerick, Rosslare, Sligo, Bangor, Donaghadee, Derry, Portrush tides are posted by the National Environmental Research Council.



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