The coastline between Kinsale and Dingle is the most popular cruising area on the Irish coast. It combines short sea passages with vast protected sailing areas. When you sail in Ireland you sail in clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream. From the sea you will see twelfth century castles of the O'Driscoll's & O'Mahony's watching over you. Perfect unspoiled and undeveloped cruising country with scenes and sunsets that will take your breath away. In port, you can enjoy our famous pubs and restaurants, feasting off superb natural produce for which Ireland is famous.

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6	Day 7
Day 8	Day 9	Day 10	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13

Two week cruise on Ireland's South West & West Coasts Sail Ireland Charters' based in Kinsale & Dingle is Ireland's largest coastal yacht charter company with a fleet of yachts from 32ft to 44ft. The following itinerary is based on 15 years experience of this coast and the recommendations of thousands of satisfied customers.

Day 2 Kinsale to Glandore 32 miles

Sail out of Kinsale a natural harbour that has sheltered ships down through the ages even before it became a Viking stronghold. Passing Charles Fort and James Fort, the Old Head of Kinsale turn southwest past Seven Heads and Galley Head for the harbour of Glandore. Two rocks Adam and Eve obstruct the entrance, but the pilot gives clear instructions " Avoid Adam and hug Eve" and by day it is a straightforward entry

GLANDORE is a pretty picture postcard place is suitable as your first port of call. There is plenty of water up to two cables from the pier. There are visitor's moorings below the Glandore Inn, the unofficial clubhouse of the Glandore Sailing Club. Food is available here or at the Marina Hotel.	Glandore Village
Fresh fish can be bought from Mel Bendon - a wholesale fish depot just five minutes walk from the village.
Glandore has been inhabited since the stone age. There are many archaeological sites, which trace living through the stone, bronze and iron ages. The Drombeg Stone circle and compound is a must. It dates back about 6000 years and is just 25 minutes walk from the village. Across the water from Glandore is Union Hall.
UNION HALL Good shelter to be had in a south westerly. Fresh water available on the pier. The village is five minutes walk from the pier and one can find many fine bars, some offering excellent food.

Day 3 Glandore to Baltimore via Loch Hyne 20 miles Barlogue is a lovely stopping place at the mouth of Loch Hyne, ideal as an anchorage for lunch on board. Lay anchor and take you're tender ashore to explore the rapids and Loch Hyne by foot, the scenery and the flora are exceptional.
Lough Hyne is an inland saline lake and nature reserve. There is a small island in the middle with the ruins of an O'Driscoll castle. Sir Fineen O'Driscoll died here in 1629, in poverty having exchanged his lands to the English in return for a title. It is rumoured that there is a crock of gold buried on the island. Digging is prohibited!	Barlogue & Loch Hyne

Sherkin Island good shelter in a northwest wind. There is a pontoon barge on the shore below the newly renovated Sherkin Island Hotel, which is less crowded than Baltimore. The island is well worth a visit. The Jolly Roger is the place to go - good food and craic! (Gaelic for fun, not to be confused with any illegal substances).	Sherkin Island
Sherkin has a number of sandy beaches, the most famous being the Silver Strand. Visit the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey & Dun na Long - Fort of the Ships. Prehistoric monuments abound on the island.

Day 4 Baltimore to Schull via the Fastnet Rock 25 miles Leave Baltimore and sail south of Cape Clear Island, the most southerly island of Ireland to round the famous Fastnet Rock then head north into Long Island Bay through Carberry's Hundred Islands to Schull. The Fastnet Lighthouse is situated 4 1/2 miles south west of Cape Clear and 7 miles south east of Crookhaven. The Irish name Carraig Aonar (the lonely rock) describes it well. It was often the last sight of Ireland that emigrants leaving for the new world saw. Thus it was also called the 'Teardrop of Ireland'. The old cast iron lighthouse was built in 1854. Construction of the existing lighthouse started in 1899. Over 2000 five-ton interlocking granite blocks were carved in Cornwall. The lighthouse was assembled on Rock island at Crookhaven, dismantled and rebuilt on the Fastnet.

Schull Easy navigational approach. Schull is an internationally known sailing centre and a busy fishing harbour. Eat at the Black Sheep Inn, the Courtyard or the Bunratty Inn. The Grove House Restaurant is highly recommended but you should book it is a small restaurant. There are visitor's moorings south of the pier below the modern holiday village. Schull Planetarium(open all year round) is a must.Schull is sheltered from northerly winds by Mount Gabriel and commands a view of Carberry's Hundred Islands, Cape Clear and Long Island.

Day 5 Schull to Glengarriff 35 miles Sail from Schull through Long Island sound to round 'Mizen Head'LONG ISLAND is the biggest of Carberry's Hundred Islands, two miles of treeless land was once inhabited by over 240 people on 160 acres, the gables of ruined cottages can be seen today. There are twelve permanent residents fully occupied in fishing or farming on the island. There is also a new pier where yachts can tie up along the side. Keep an eye out for Leamcom Castle, built by the O'Mahony's 500 years ago. It remained an O'Mahony castle until 1641 when Conor O'Mahony was outlawed for his part in the Rebellion of that year. This coast was also used by pirates from Devon, Cornwall, and Holland and of course the occasional native including Grace O'Malley, 'Granuaile' from Sligo. It was used as a base to attack ships off the coast of Spain and Portugal including ships of East Indiamen carrying tobacco, spices, elephant tusks, silk, tea and brandy. Some of the booty was returned to Leamcon and Crookhaven and resold through merchants in Cork and Limerick.
MIZEN HEAD the southern most headland in Ireland where the cliffs rise 200 metres. There is a magnificent white lighthouse connected to the mainland by a spectacular bridge. It is very popular with rock climbers, but is better known for its rich flora and fauna and magnificent views. The waves here come straight from New York and are anxious to get ashore, so unless you have a very calm day, stay about a mile off.
Round into Bantry Bay, a bay steeped in Irish history, the French invasion of 1796, smugglers, revolutions, fortunes and famines. The bay is sixteen miles long and five miles wide, with spectacular mountain backdrops and secluded anchorages. After the Mizen, Three Castle Head, with another O'Mahony castle looking down on you, pass Sheeps Head and into Bantry bay. Bantry bay marks another turning point in Irish history. Wolf Tone a Dublin Barrister together with thirty-five ships of the French navy and 12,000 men attempted to land here in December 1796. After four days of gales the fleet retreated on Christmas Eve and returned to France. Proving once again that God is an Englishman.
GLENGARRIFF the most popular anchorage of all. Excellent shelter. Take a trip to the tropical gardens on Garnish Island, an absolute must. Great salmon sandwiches in the Blue Loo.

Day 6 Glengarrif to Bantry to Bere Isalnd 17 miles
In Bantry, there is always good anchorage under the Graveyard. Excellent town for shopping - Bank, Post Office, supermarkets etc.
O'Connelll's Sea Food Restaurant offers excellent food in their dining room or in the bar - you may need reservations.The Anchor Bar is interesting to visit. The Tourist Office is open during summer months. Visit Bantry House & Gardens - beautifully situated overlooking the Bay. Newly opened in the courtyard beside Bantry House is the 1796 French Armada Exhibition Centre.
	Adrigole on the west side of the bay on the way to Bere Island. One of the most beautiful anchorages in the world. Wonderful bay for a lunch stop or quiet overnight. Take a visitors mooring or row to the small pier, walk along the lane to the shop, post office, pub and a wonderful art gallery and craft shop called Adrigole Fine Arts & Crafts.

LAWRENCE COVE- BERE ISLAND Unique family run marina at the head of Bantry Bay, situated on beautiful Bere Island. With the stunning back drop of the Mikish Mountains and Hungry Hill waterfall - a real HAVEN, a place to unwind for a day or two.
There is one pub in the village and beside it is Kitty's restaurant, which offers good value.

Day 7 Bere Island to Sneem

Sail around Bere Island past Castletownberehaven and through Dursey Sound under the cable car that joins the mainland to Dursey Island and across the Kenmare River to Sneem. SNEEM good anchorage. Town is approximately 20 minutes walk or you can call a taxi from the public phone at the end of the pier. Call to The Black Bull for restaurant food - very helpful for any queries or problems. Bus connections to Kenmare and Killarney.

Day 8 Sneem to Valentia via the Skellig Islands 40 miles
The Skelligs a pair of islands rising straight out of the Atlantic ocean. The Great Skellig or Skellig Michael with its early 6th. Century Christian settlement perched on top of this 200-metre rock is awesome - we recommend a sail round the islands. To visit the island contact the Skelligs Experience on Valentia. Landing by yacht is prohibited and dangerous.
Valentia, a visit although difficult is well worth the effort. The views are spectacular and the island is steeped in its own traditions and charm. Apart from the weather station Valentia is famous for the fact that the first telegraph lines to the USA went from here.

Day 9 Valentia to the Blasket Islands to Dingle 25 miles
The Blasket Islands on a clear calm day you can visit the Great Blasket. There are two mooring buoys to the right of the buoy the ferry uses (off the beach) on the north side of the island. The Great Blasket was inhabited up to the 1950's and much of the village remains intact. The locals have a saying that the next parish to the west is New York, where many islanders have settled. There is a coffee shop ashore. Climb to the top - the view on a clear day is spectacular.
Dingle Harbour offers a safe entrance. Keep an eye out for Fungi the Dolphin who comes out to inspect most incoming yachts. The inner harbour (in town) has a modern marina with facilities for visiting berths. The Harbour Master is Lt. Cdr. Brian Farrell who is very helpful to visiting yachts and can be contacted at the Harbour Office near the pier. Dingle is a very lively town - offering excellent restaurants, bars, traditional music and 'craic'! Hire yourself a bike (or taxi) and spend the day exploring Slea Head. Early Bee Hive Cells dot the headland - it is sublime.
Also the Heritage Centre on the Blaskets, which is situated near Dunquin, is well worth a visit. For those who would like a taste of the West Coast of Ireland a trip through the Blasket Sound up the West coast to Fenit (30 miles from the Blaskets) and Kilrush 30 miles from Fenit) in the mouth of the Shannon river are both well worth a visit. Both have full marina facilities.

Day 10 Dingle to Derrynanae 33 miles
DERRYNANE'S lovely harbour offers good shelter. Narrow entrance facing S.W. - entrance and exit impossible in bad weather. This is a delightful anchorage. Keating's pub is beside the pier.
There is a National Park in the homeland of Daniel O'Connell, one of Irelands great historical figures. Caherdaniel - 2 miles away, (get a taxi at Keating's) has shops, restaurants and pubs.

Day 11 Derrynane to Crookhaven 33 miles
Visitor's moorings off the pier in front of O'Sullivan's pub. Good anchorage off the main pier, call into O'Sullivan's for the best salmon sandwich ever! There are a number of fine restaurants open in the summer. It is also possible to get fresh lobster and crayfish ask at O'Sullivan's. Now a quiet anchorage, Crookhaven was a very significant harbour in the days of sail.
The deep seamen on their tall ships came across the Atlantic, rounded the Mizen and anchored off Crookhaven. Agents awaited them to tell them which port their cargo was bound for, the cargo having been sold while the ship was at sea, Dublin, Belfast, Bristol or Liverpool. The Cape Clear pilot boats also met them to guide them through the Irish sea or the English channel. The people of Crook knew the result of the War of Independence in America before London did! Crookhaven was also the site of the first Marconi radio station, which bridged the Atlantic in 1901.

Day 12 Crookhaven to Castletownsend via Cape Clear 58 miles
North Harbour Cape Clear The North Harbour is very small and is used mainly by the ferry and fishing boats. Yachts can lie afloat at the seaward end of the dock. The walk out of the harbour is very steep, but very soon you are on heights that give you a spectacular view of Carberry's One Hundred Islands, Roaring Water Bay and the mountains on the mainland. Stop for lunch before setting off through the Gascanane Sound for Castletownsend.
The south harbour is a beautiful anchorage but is open to a swell and southerly winds. However, if the wind has any north, west or east in it this is an ideal stopping point for lunch or overnight.
Castletownsend It is one of the three most popular anchorages favoured by our clients. It offers excellent anchorage. A visit to the church (close to the pier) and the museum at Reem on the far side of the estuary are a great way to spend a few hours. Mary Ann's Bar half way up the hill from the pier is the place to go. Fergus and Trish O'Mahony are your hosts at one of the south west coast's best seafood restaurants.
Dinner approximately €40, bar meals are also served. A visit is essential on any cruise. There is a Shop in the village (at the top of hill) and a Post Office. There are two other pubs further up the hill from Mary Anne's both within walking distance

Day 13 Castletownsend to Kinsale 34 miles

Back to Kinsale, relaxed by the slower lifestyle "When God made time he made a lot of it in West Cork and Kerry" and refreshed by the sea air and the memories.

Distance Chart

Weather Chart

Tidal Constants The average rise (in metres) above chart datum between Kinsale and Dingle is 3.25m. The tidal flow is between 1 and 2 knots (springs) along the coast. Close into the headlands this can rise to 4 knots at the Mizen.