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Displaying items by tag: Irish Marinas

Fenit Harbour Marina is tucked away in Tralee Bay, not far south of Shannon Estuary. It offers a superb cruising ground being within a days sail of Dingle and Kilrush, the marina also provides a convenient base from which to visit inland attractions such as the tourist towns of Tralee and Killarney. This 120 berth marina accommodates boats up to 15m LOA and benefits from deep water at all states of the tide. The small village of Fenit incorporates a grocery store as well as pubs and restaurants while among the local activities are horse riding, swimming from the nearby sandy beaches.

Published in Irish Marinas

Dingle is Ireland's most westerly marina, lying at the heart of the sheltered Dingle Harbour and is easily reached both day and night via a well buoyed approach channel. The surrounding area is an interesting and unfrequented cruising ground, with several islands, bays and beaches for the yachtsman to explore. The marina lies in the heart of the old market town, renowned for its hospitality and traditional Irish pub music. Besides enjoying the excellent seafood restaurants and 52 pubs, other recreational pastimes include horse riding, golf, climbing and diving.

Dingle Marina

Strand Street, Dingle, Co. Kerry

Tel: 00353 66 9151629

Email: [email protected]

www.dinglemarina.com

VHF: Ch M

Access: H24

Published in Irish Marinas

Portaferry Marina lies on the east shore of the Narrows, the gateway to Strangford Lough on the north east coast of Ireland. A marine nature reserve of outstanding natural beauty, the Lough offers plenty of recreational activities. The marina, which caters for draughts of up to 2.5m, is fairly small, accommodating around 30 yachts. The office is situated about 200m from the marina itself, where you will find ablution facilities along with a launderette. Portaferry incorporates several pubs and restaurants as well as a few convenience stores, while one of it's prime attractions is the Exploris Aquarium. Places of historic interest in the vicinity include Castleward, and 18th century mansion in Strangford, and Mount Stewart House and Garden in Newtownards.

Portaferry Marina

11 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF

Tel: 07703 209780  Email: [email protected]

Published in Irish Marinas

Ardglass Marina (also known as Phennick cove marina) is situated just south of Strangford, Ardglass has the capacity to accomodate up to 33 yachts as well as space for small craft. Despite being relatively small in size, the marina boasts an extensive array of facilities, either on site or close at hand. Most of the necessary shops, including grocery stores, a post office, chemist and off-licence, are all within a five-minute walk from the marina. Among the local onshore activities are golf, mountain climbing in Newcastle, which is 18 miles south, aswell as scenic walks at Ardglass and Delamont Park.

Published in Irish Marinas
6th November 2012

Carlingford Marina

Carlingford Lough is an eight mile sheltered haven between the Cooley Mountains to the south and the Mourne Mountains to the north. The marina is situated on the southern shore, about four miles from Haulbowline Lighthouse, and can be easily reached via a deep water shipping channel. Amon the most attractive destinations in the Irish Sea, Carlingford is only 60 miles from the Isle of Man and within a day's sail from Strangford Lough and Ardglass. Full facilities in the marina include a first class bar and restaurant offering superb views across the water

 

Carlingford Marina, Co. Louth

Tel: 042 937 3073  Fax: 042 937 3075

Email: [email protected]

www.carlingfordmarina.ie

Published in Irish Marinas

Situated on the south shore of Belfast Lough, Bangor is located close to the Irish Sea cruising routes. The Marina is right at the town's centre, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, hotels and bars. The Tourist information centre is across the road from the marina reception and there are numerous visitors' attractions in the Bourough. The Royal Ulster Yacht Club and the Ballyholme Yacht Club are both nearby and welcome visitors.

 

Quay Marinas Limited

Bangor Marina, Bangor, Co. Down, BT20 5ED

Tel: 028 91453297  Fax: 028 9145 3450

Email: [email protected]

www.quaymarinas.com

Published in Irish Marinas

Located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, Carrickfergus Marina and harbour incorporates two sheltered area suitable for leisure craft. The harbour is dominated by a magnificent 12th Century Norman Castle which, recently renovated includes a film theatre, banqueting room and outdoor models depicting the castle's chequered history. The marina is located 250 metres west of the harbour and has become increasingly popular since opeing in 1985. A range of shops and restaurants along the waterfront caters for most yachtsmen's needs.

Published in Irish Marinas

Ballycastle is a traditional seaside town situated on Northern Ireland's North Antrim Coast. The 74-Berthed, sheltered marina provides a perfect base from which to explore the well known local attractions such as the Giant's Causeway world heritage site, the spectacular Nine Glens of Antrim, and Rathlin, the only inhabited island in Northern Ireland. The more northern coastal marina in Ireland, Ballycastle is accessible at all states of the tide, although yachts are required to contact the marina on VHF Ch 80 before entering the harbour. Along the seafront are a selection of restaurants, bars and shops, while the town centre is only about a five minute walk away.

 

Ballycastle Marina,

Bayview Road, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland

Tel: 028 2076 8525/07803 505084

Fax: 028 20766215

Email: [email protected]

VHF: Ch80

Access H24

Published in Irish Marinas

Seatons marina is a privately owned business on the north coast of Ireland, which was estabished by Eric Seaton in 1962. It lies on the east bank of the River Bann, approximately two miles downstream from Coleraine and three miles from the sea. Long term pontoon berths are available for yachts up to 11.5m with a maximum draft of 2.4m; fore and aft moorings are available for larger vessels. Lift out and mast stepping facilities are provided by a 14 tonne trailer hoist.

 

Seatons Marina

Drumslade Rd., Coleraine, Londonderry, BT52 1SE

Tel: 028 7083 2086

Email: [email protected]

www.seatonsmarina.co.uk

Published in Irish Marinas

Coleraine Marina complex enjoys a superb location in sheltered waters just one mile north of the town of Coleraine and four and a half miles south of the River Bann Estuary and the open sea. Besides accomodating vessels up to 18m LOA, the modern marina with 105 berths offers hard standing, fuel, a chandlery and shower facilities.

Among one of the oldest known settlements in Ireland, Coleraine is renowned for its linen, whiskey and salmon. Its thriving commercial centre includes numerous shops, a four-screen cinema and a state-of-the-art leisure complex.

Coleraine Marina

64 Portstewart Road, Coleraine,

Co. Londonderry, BT52 1 RS

Tel: 028 7034 4768

Published in Irish Marinas
Page 3 of 4

Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!