Best Anchorages — West Ireland Wild Atlantic

3–7m · Alarm: 85m

Clew Bay is one of the most beautiful anchorages on Ireland's Atlantic coast — a vast, island-studded bay at the foot of Croagh Patrick (762m, Ireland's holy mountain) in County Mayo. The bay contains approximately 365 drumlins (glacially-formed islands) creating a complex labyrinth of channels and anchorages that provide outstanding Atlantic shelter. Westport (8nm) is a charming Georgian planned town with excellent provisions and restaurants. The Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile) ruled these seas from Rockfleet Castle at the inner bay head in the 16th century — her tower still stands. Croagh Patrick's pyramidal silhouette behind the bay creates one of the most dramatic landscapes in Irish sailing.

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3–7m · Alarm: 85m

Clifden Bay is the gateway to Connemara sailing — an anchorage in one of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes, surrounded by the wild Connemara hills and blanket bog of Co. Galway. Clifden town (3nm by road or dinghy) is the 'Capital of Connemara' — a vibrant market town with excellent pubs, restaurants and provisions. The Alcock and Brown transatlantic flight (first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic, June 1919) landed just north of Clifden at Derrigimlagh Bog — a bronze monument marks the spot. The bay is exposed to Atlantic swell from the W/NW — best used in settled easterly or southerly conditions. The inner Connemara lakes (freshwater) are accessible to those willing to explore by road.

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3–8m · Alarm: 90m

Kilronan on Inis Mór (the largest of the three Aran Islands) is one of the most atmospheric anchorages in Ireland — the last landfall before the open Atlantic. The Aran Islands are famed for their extraordinary Celtic heritage: the Iron Age fort of Dún Aonghasa (Dún Aengus) perches on a 90m cliff on the south coast of Inis Mór, its walls extending to the cliff edge with no back wall — perhaps the most dramatic prehistoric monument in Western Europe. The islands are a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area where traditional island culture survives. Currach (traditional wicker boat) racing is still practised. The flat limestone pavements, dry-stone walls and Romanesque churches create an otherworldly landscape. The ferry from Rossaveel (Galway) brings day visitors — the anchorage is quietest in the early morning and evening.

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2–6m · Alarm: 75m

Dingle is Ireland's most westerly town and arguably its most charming — a vibrant, colourful fishing port on the Dingle Peninsula (Corca Dhuibhne) in County Kerry. The harbour is a working fishing port with a substantial fleet, and the town is a lively mix of traditional Irish culture, excellent seafood restaurants, lively pubs and a famously welcoming atmosphere. Dingle is a Gaeltacht area (Irish-speaking). The famous Fungie the Dolphin (a bottlenose dolphin who lived in Dingle harbour for over 30 years until his disappearance in 2020) made Dingle internationally famous. The Dingle Peninsula's scenery — the Connor Pass, Slea Head, the Blasket Islands — is among the finest in Europe. The anchorage is comfortable and the provisions excellent.

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3–7m · Alarm: 80m

Valentia Harbour is a magnificent anchorage on the southwest tip of Kerry — a sheltered island harbour facing the Iveragh Peninsula (Ring of Kerry) and ideally placed for visiting the Skellig Islands (6nm offshore). Skellig Michael (UNESCO World Heritage Site) rises 218m from the Atlantic and hosts a remarkable 6th-century monastic settlement — accessible by ferry from Portmagee in good weather and a profound experience. Valentia Island was the eastern terminus of the first transatlantic telegraph cable (1866) — the heritage centre in Knightstown tells this story. MRCC Valentia (Irish Coast Guard) operates from the island. The local community is welcoming and the pubs in Portmagee are famous for their traditional music sessions.

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2–5m · Alarm: 75m

Crookhaven is one of the finest natural anchorages in the British Isles — a long, sheltered inlet on the Mizen Peninsula of SW Cork, formed by a narrow neck of land that creates a near-landlocked harbour with outstanding holding. The small community of Crookhaven village has a legendary sailing pub (O'Sullivan's Bar) and a remarkable atmosphere of benign remoteness. This was the landing point of the first transatlantic wireless telegraph signal received in Ireland (Guglielmo Marconi's station operated here in the early 1900s). The Fastnet Rock (11nm south) is visible in clear conditions. Crookhaven is the traditional last anchorage before crossing to France or Spain, and the first port of call for yachts arriving from offshore.

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3–7m · Alarm: 85m

Clare Island is the dramatic island sentinel at the entrance to Clew Bay — a wild, rugged island of 300m cliffs on its western face and a sheltered SE harbour community of about 150 residents. The island was the stronghold of Grace O'Malley (Gráinne Mhaol, the Pirate Queen of Connacht) in the 16th century — her ruined tower castle overlooks the harbour and her tomb is in the 12th-century abbey. Clare Island Yoga retreat, the lighthouse hostel, and the welcoming community make this one of Ireland's most characterful island stops. The views from the summit of Knockmore (461m) across Clew Bay and south to the Twelve Pins of Connemara are among the finest in the west of Ireland.

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2–5m · Alarm: 75m

Roundstone is the quietest and most characterful anchorage in Connemara — a small, unspoiled fishing village on the south shore of a sheltered bay between Errisbeg mountain and the offshore Aran Islands. The village is renowned as home to the only traditional bodhran (Irish frame drum) maker in Ireland (Roundstone Musical Instruments, where Malachy Kearns has made bodhráns for 40 years) and has a small concentration of artist studios and excellent seafood restaurants. The Twelve Pins of Connemara rise dramatically to the north, and the view from the bay at sunset is one of the most beautiful in the west of Ireland. A perfect escape from the more visited anchorages.

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