PROMOTED: Berthage Fees at Carlingford Marina in County Louth are among the most competitive on the East Coast of Ireland, with an annual term costing €265 per metre, according to Carlingford marina manager Jonathan Moneley.
Moneley is basing his pricing on marina berthage rates as advertised in Practical Boat Owner magazine (scroll down to the end of this article for more details). The Carlingford marina berth rates, he says, are a 'staggering 20% to 39% less expensive than some marinas in the nation’s capital'. 'For a 12–metre boat to make the move from Dublin to Carlingford, they could be saving as much as €2,040 per year, on their Annual Berthage Rates,' he claims.
The County Louth marina has a number of flexible berthage contracts, with both Summer and Winter terms available at discounted rates. The four-month Summer Berthage Special (which is popular among trailer sailors and other boat owners who winter at home) can begin on any date during May or June each year, and costs just €135 per metre. The Carlingford Marina six-month winter special begins on November 1st, and includes two months hard standing, a lift out and re-launch, a hull pressure wash, and two months’ cradle hire – all for just €150 per metre.
Carlingford Marina is located in the picturesque coastal inlet of Carlingford Lough, with the Cooley Mountains on one side and the Mountains of Mourne on the other
Carlingford Marina is located in the picturesque coastal inlet of Carlingford Lough, with the Cooley Mountains on one side and the Mountains of Mourne on the other. A day’s sail from Dublin, Belfast, The Isle of Man and some parts of England’s west coast, Carlingford is an ideal location from which to explore the Irish Sea.
The 170–berth marina is accessible at all stages of the tide via a deep-water shipping channel that runs the length of Carlingford Lough. The maximum size vessel that can be accommodated is 17m LOA and 2.2m draft.
Facilities at Carlingford Marina
The pontoon network at Carlingford Marina is serviced, providing fresh water and shore power connections to berth holders. MGO, or Green Diesel is available from a designated fueling berth at the center of the marina, and a bunded waste oil receptacle is available for berth holders to use in the Boat Yard. Toilets, showers, laundry facilities, car parking, wifi and a berth holders lounge are among other facilities available to berth holders and visitors.
The Carlingford Marina boat yard is one of the larger hard standing areas on the east coast of Ireland. It can accommodate up to 30 yachts in cradles at a time, with a further 20 spaces available for smaller boats, or boats on trailers. The onsite Roodberg Boat Lift has a lifting capability of up to 50 tonnes, with a maximum beam of 5.5m. The boat yard staff offer mast stepping services, and quick hull wash options for performance yachts – and outside maintenance contractors are welcome on site also.
The onsite Roodberg Boat Lift has a lifting capability of up to 50 tonnes
Shore side facilities include a marina office which is manned 7 days a week, a state of the art Bar and Restaurant building, and 8 self-catering apartments which are available for short term let. The restaurant is currently under new management as Sitar Café Bar and Indian Cuisine, and has been receiving rave reviews since it opened in August 2016. There are also European food options available in the Café Bar.
About Carlingford
Carlingford is one of the best preserved medieval villages in Ireland with a number of important pre-historic and medieval sites. The village is dominated by the remains of King Johns Castle, the first major construction in Carlingford’s history built in the twelfth century. Other fine examples of religious and secular buildings (such as the monastic abbey and forge dating from the twelfth century onwards) can also be seen in the village.
Carlingford has a deserved reputation for hospitality, with some of the finest restaurants and friendliest pubs in Ireland. Known as Ireland’s best kept secret, the area has been recognized as a European Destination of Excellence, and an area of outstanding natural beauty. The village is also home to a wonderful community of local artists and artisans who’s fine works are displayed proudly wherever you go in Carlingford.
Carlingford has always been a popular destination for boating, and is now firmly established as a cruising destination for yachts men all over Europe, and beyond. Carlingford Marina has hosted a number of trans-Atlantic sailors within the last few years – most notably yacht “Avalanche” that was skippered by Cptn John Barry III. Avalanche began her journey on the Californian Coast before heading South and through the Panama Canal. Once through the canal, she headed North through The Caribbean Sea, and up along the East Coast of the North American Continent. It wasn’t until she got to St Johns in Newfoundland that she plotted a course for Ireland, coming around the North end of the island before taking up berth and wintering in Carlingford. After six months hard standing at Carlingford Marina, she was ready again to continue her circumnavigation of the globe.
Situated perfectly as a stop-over between marinas in Dublin and Belfast, Carlingford sees regular visiting traffic during the summer months – something that those traveling to the Dun Laoghaire Regatta might consider. The Marina is also home to a variety of yachts and motor boats ranging from day sailors and small run-abouts, to more luxurious motor cruisers and ocean going sailing yachts. Two long standing sailing clubs exist within the lough, drawing on an increasingly enthusiastic community of yacht racers and cruisers, who take to the water to compete at the weekends.
About Carlingford Marina
You are always sure of a warm welcome at Carlingford Marina, which is fronted by its managers; Jonathan Moneley, and brothers Darren and Paddy Maguire. They are a young, dedicated team who have developed a wealth of experience with over 20 years of Marina Management between them. Jonathan is the sailor among them, and has raced dinghies and cruisers on the lough from a very young age. Darren and Paddy both have experience as trawler men, and Paddy is now an active member of the local Coast Guard.
Construction began on the facility in 1986, and it has developed steadily since then. Many would remember Carlingford Marina for the large concrete barges that make up part of the breakwater, or for the WW1 Ship the “Creetegaff” (known to some as the Lady Boyne) which serves as a landing platform at the centre of the pontoon network.
Even after 30 years, the team are always keen to develop and improve the facility, and to add new offerings to their growing client base. Shore side facilities such as the toilets, shower facilities and laundry facilities benefited from a complete revamp in 2016, with more renovations planned for this year.
The development of the Carlingford to Omeath Greenway has already proved to be a big hit, or a “must do” for sailors who visit. The 7km pathway and cycleway follows the shore line from Carlingford Marina to the neighboring village of Omeath, awarding breathtaking views over the lough and to the Mountains either side. 2018 should see the extension of the Greenway, to join up with the Newry Toe Path via Victoria Lock and The Newry Canal.
Traveling to Carlingford Marina
Carlingford Marina is just over an hour’s drive from both Dublin and Belfast, and the busy international airports of both cities. Take exit 18 off the M1 and continue along the R173 for 20 minutes until you reach the village of Carlingford. Carlingford Marina is on the North side of the village, just beyond King John’s Castle. Carlingford is serviced regularly by buses from both Dundalk and Newry, and a good number of taxi cabs operate in the area.
Note: Marina berthage rates as advertised on Practical Boat Owner.
Carlingford Marina €265 per metre
Dun Laoghaire Marina €435 per metre
(as advertised on Dun Laoghaire Marina website)
Carlingford Marina is 39.08% cheaper
Malahide Marina €397 per metre
(as advertised on Malahide Marina website)
Carlingford Marina is 33.25% cheaper
Greystones Marina €385 per metre
(as advertised on Greystones Marina website)
Carlingford Marina is 31.17% cheaper
Poolbeg €330 per metre + €75 DCC Charge per boat.
(as advertised on Poolbeg Marina website)
Carlingford Marina is 20% cheaper
For more information Contact Johnathan Moneley at Carlingford Marina, North Commons, Carlingford, Co Louth. Tel: +353 (0) 42 937 3072. Website here
