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Keeping Ireland to StarboardKeeping Ireland to Starboard
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Rounding the Island of Ireland Read more
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  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 70

    Home

    August 1, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The first and the last day.
    Sunday the 1st day of August and our last day rounding Ireland. Tonight I’d be sleeping ashore.

    Having left the harbour we started sailing on broad reach but by the time we got to Power Head we were on a beat . . .again.
    The wind was up and down during the day but I was determined that I was going to sail past Roches Point into Cork harbour.

    I entered the harbour on a beat at 15.25, followed closely be ‘Second Chance’.
    I threw in a tack or two before giving up as the ebbing tide was not helping.
    I dropped the sails as I wanted to get 'Eureka' ready before I reached the marina.
    I motored the last bit to East Ferry as I tidied away the sails and got the fenders out.

    We tied up to the marina at 16.45, job done. Where to next year, Jim??    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 69

    Last Stop.

    July 31, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Jim was hoping to stop at Youghal whereas I was itching to get to East Ferry and home, now that I was so close.
    But I’d need a favourable wind and an early start to do it.

    The start was dictated by the tide and 08.30 was the earliest I could get over the bar but when I woke up I knew the wind wasn’t playing ball so it was going to be Youghal tonight. I didn’t mind too much, I hadn’t been there by sea before.

    Once we left the harbour we had a nice sail for the first half of the voyage but the wind eased and changed direction so we ended up motorsailing into Youghal harbour.

    We were tied up to visitor moorings for the afternoon until the pontoon became free with the angling boats having first call until 17.00.
    ‘Second Chance’ went in first and I had to raft to them as there was a broken down angling boat still tied up.

    We had a nice meal at the ‘Old Imperial Hotel’ before a stroll around and heading back to the pontoon.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 68

    Meeting the family.

    July 30, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    This morning Peter the skipper of ‘Blade Runner’ was leaving and offered his mooring as it turned out the one I had been trying to get on was too shallow for 'Eureka'.
    We had met Peter in Dunmore East and it turned out that he and Jim knew each other. Peter is a native of Dungarvan but now living in Arklow

    Once tied up we went ashore and met Jim’s family and I was given a tour of the town.
    There was much more to see than I realised as I am only normally passing through or stopping for a coffee.
    Later we had a lovely dinner with Jim’s extended family before returning to the boats very late.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 67

    Back home for some.

    July 29, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We were up on time and ready to go. I left Jim off and the crew of the boat inside me left me off.
    Just as I was leaving, the skipper of the boat inside me told me that they had changed their minds and were staying put, something to do with tomorrow’s weather.
    Oh! The few extra hours sleep would have done me no harm at all.

    Anyway, Jim was out of the harbour like scalded cat and I too kept going.
    It was a breezy SW and the sea was still lumpy after yesterday.
    I motorsailed along the coast, tacking as I went along with just the main up.
    I’d better get used to having the wind forward of the beam again.
    Conditions eased considerable once we got past Tramore Bay and had some shelter from Mine Head.

    We entered Dungarvan Harbour and anchored off Ballincourty while we waited for the tide to rise enough to continue up to the town later in the evening.
    I decided to make up for my lack of sleep in the morning and had to be woken from my slumbers by the phone, Jim requesting my attendance at dinner. It didn't take me long launch the dinghy and row over

    We lifted our anchors at half tide and motored slowly up the channel.
    When we got to the town, Jim picked up his mooring but I was unable to pick up my allotted one due to the strong current.
    I went to the quay to tie up until the currents eased but it was full of small boats so I went back to have another go at the buoy but was failing miserable until Jim suggested I raft up to ‘Second Chance’ which I did and we had a peaceful calm night.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 66

    End of Heatwave.

    July 28, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    I woke early and couldn't get back to sleep with the noise of the wind in the rigging so I headed for the showers before the rush.
    There was definitely a change in the weather as it also had become showery.

    I had finished my breakfast before before Jim & Angela surfaced. A late start for them.
    Jim and I gave the 'Ilen' a hand in departing. There was only a crew of two and they were well skilled so we didn't have much to do.
    We then went for a walk up the village and it included a coffee and a scone. At last I was getting my own way!

    There was a children's aqua obstacle course in the cove and we were nearly deafened by the children enjoying themselves.
    Once we did our sightseeing we returned to the boats where I tried to catch up on the sleep I lost this morning. I was partly successful.

    As we were having dinner on 'Second Chance' we discussed tomorrow.
    The boat inside us wanted to leave at 07.30 so we decided we might as well leave at the same time instead of tying up again once they had departed.

    Our next stop was going to be Jim's home town of Dungarvan and he had arranged the loan of two moorings but we'd have to anchor at the mouth of the bay until we have enough water to get over the bar.

    We headed to bed early and I set the alarm for 06.00. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 65

    First come gets the berth.

    July 27, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    It was another lovely morning when I stuck my head of of the hatch.
    After breakfast we paid a visit to a chandlery as Jim needed gas. I was surprised at the size of the premises and that it supplied the leisure market as well as the local fishing fleet. There was something for everyone, a real Aladdin's cave.
    On the way back we visited the RNLI shop, purchased our Christmas cards in plenty of time and fed the collection box. So we had fulfilled our obligation and you never know when you might need them.

    We found it impossible to pass a coffee shop so ended up sitting outside in the sun planning our next move.
    The weather wasn’t looking too good for the following two days so if we didn’t move today, it looked like we wouldn’t be moving till Friday. While we would have liked to stay a second night we didn’t want to stay for two, so we decided to move and head for the bright lights of Dunmore East

    Jim assisted me in leaving my berth and once outside I hoisted the sails and headed west. I found that I was on a beat, welcome back to the south coast!

    We were sailing along towards Hook head at almost 6 knts. As I approached the headland the wind strengthened and I had to reef as I galloped along closely followed by Jim.

    We then saw a number of yachts heading for Dunmore and as berths are at a premium I was told to get ‘Eureka’ in ASAP and try to hold a space for ‘Second Chance’.
    I furled my genny and my 40 horses were put to good use as I motorsailed direct for the harbour entrance. I won.
    I dropped my main and entered the harbour rafting up to another Moody.
    The bowsprit of the 'Ilen' made things a bit difficult but ‘Second Chance’ was soon rafted up to me and all three berths ended up being at least three deep before the end of the evening.

    Drinks and dinner was followed by more drinks before bed.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 64

    Kilmore Quay

    July 26, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    It was flat calm leaving Arklow this morning but slowly a breeze began and when we were south of the Arklow Bank we had enough wind to sail.
    I followed ‘Second Chance’ down inside the banks and they got future ahead as I had to slow off Rosslare to allow an inbound ferry to pass.

    Turning to starboard at Carnsore Point, we were back on the south coast for the first time since the end of May.

    As we closed on the Saltees, a Pan Pan went out for a yacht off Carnsore Point with the rope from a buoy wrapped around its prop shaft.
    We were too far away to be of help and within about 15 minutes the lifeboat went motoring past us at an appropriate speed for the circumstances.

    We tied up at the very busy marina and I met the present owner of ‘Ciúnas’ a little 21 ft. yacht that I owned between 1988-97.
    Our chat made me late for dinner. Suitable scolded by the cook and apologies accepted, we went ashore to have a look around.

    The lifeboat later towed in the disabled yacht, a fairly new looking 40 ft. plus boat with two elderly crew who didn’t look the best for their experience.
    One of the younger members of the RNLI crew later dived and removed the remains of the rope and it appeared it had caused no damage.

    We had a early night as we were all tired after a long hot day.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 63

    Ronnie Delaney's hometown

    July 25, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We had an early start this morning. Jim sprang 'Second Chance' off the marina and I followed soon afterwards at 08.00.

    Heading downriver next morning Jim & Angela had a near miss when a ferry reversed into the main channel in front of them.
    Even though Jim had got permission to depart our berths and head downriver we got no warning from the port authorities. Luckily Jim was keeping a sharp lookout, took evasive action and came to a stop.
    In Dublin it seemed that leisure craft were a nuisance. In Belfast it was much different. What a pity.

    We motored through Dalkey Sound to see how the other half live.
    Some were having their breakfasts outdoors overlooking the sea.
    I bet they were wishing they were where we were and not the other way around. Money isn’t everything.

    Three hours after leaving when we were south of Greystones, a sea breeze started and we were able to turn off the engines until we were close to Arklow when the wind died completely.

    We motored up the river to find the marina full so rafted up to a Bord Iaschaigh Mhara survey vessel.
    The manager of the marina came down and informed us that he wouldn’t charge us but expected us to make a donation to the next RNLI collection box we came across (we did).

    Angela had dinner in the oven and served it up soon after we tied up.
    After dinner we wandered up the town passing Ronnie Delaney's birthplace on the way. Ronnie won a gold medal at the Olympics in 1956.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 62

    Up to Dublin

    July 24, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Having spent two nights in Howth it was time to go.
    Nice place but the marina fees were a bit high for my taste.
    I could feel a little bit of a change in the weather. It was a bit cooler and there was a good stiff easterly breeze as we were leaving with a big lumpy sea outside.
    Jim was nearly rammed by an out of control dinghy outside the harbour.
    It might have been wind against tide or some other local conditions between the harbour and Irelands Eye that caused the high seas outside the marina as the seas eased as I turned south.
    As we weren’t going too far, we only unfurled the gennys and sailed much of the way into Dublin port and up to Poolbeg.

    The port authorities ‘barked’ instructions at us. Much different to the welcome we got from Belfast.
    We soon reached Poolbeg marina and with a bit of help from club members we tied up on the outside leg.

    The members of Poolbeg were pure Dubs, salt of the earth types who spoke a version of English that was just about understandable.
    One character in his 80’s told us, “If they’re not insulting you, they’re ignoring you, which is much worse”.

    As I walked up the marina I saw a Westerly Konsort 'Ajay'.
    This was the second Garda sailing Club yacht and the first to be based in Cork.
    As the treasurer of the club, I had travelled to England with two other members to look at a couple of yachts with a view to purchasing.
    Ajay was the one we purchased and I later was one of the crew who sailed her back from Weymouth in 1995 or 96. It was nice to see her again.

    We went for a walk to the Spire but the city centre was too busy and we meandered back to the marina where we had a few pints and pizza in the clubhouse.    Read more

  • TravelerKeeping Ireland to Starboard
    Day 61

    Exploring Howth

    July 23, 2021 in Ireland ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Due to last night's partying I didn't wake up till 10.00.
    Still hot and sunny so didn't take long to dress.
    Following breakfast I headed to the laundry and discovered they had a shelf where you could exchange books. I made use of it.
    I met a fellow Moody 36 Owner, He was having electrical problems in starting his engine but unfortunally I couldn't help but we had a good chat before I departed.

    I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring Howth. Most of the restaurants, coffee shops were full and there were Q's everywhere for ice-cream.
    I was weighed down with some provisions and some beer on the way back and once I stowed on Eureka I decided to have dinner at the yacht club.

    I was a bit under dressed in t-shirt, shorts and sandals as it was still hot but if i didn't care why should they?
    The staff were very busy and I noticed that some of the other customers seemed to be expecting instant service while I was relaxed and in no hurry and noticed maybe because of my attitude that I was getting better service than they were.

    Dinner was lovely and afterwards I wandered back to Eureka in the dark.
    No parties tonight but the wind did get up according to Jim, I heard nothing.    Read more

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