north coast of ireland MALIN WATERS covers the shared maritime area of north west Ireland, Northern Ireland and western Scotland and offers world class sailing waters for all abilities. The area has seen significant investment in marina facilities and moorings in recent years and is the perfect place for weekend and longer cruises. Along the north coast of Ireland, there are seven marinas between the cities of Belfast and Londonderry/Derry, with no more than 20Nm between any two, so the whole coast can be explored in a series of day sails. Belfast Lough is home to two of the largest marinas, Bangor and Carrickfergus, with approximately 800 berths between them and a full range of support services. Their close proximity to Belfast and its transport links make both marinas excellent locations for crew changes and exploring the city. A short distance northwards along the Antrim (Causeway) coast is Glenarm, a smaller marina close to the ferry port of Larne and only a day’s sail from the southernmost Inner Hebridean islands of Gigha, Islay and Jura. Attractions along the northern coast of Antrim include the famous Giants Causeway, the spectacular rope bridge at Carrick-aRede and the Bushmills Distillery. Visiting boats can use pontoon facilities at Rathlin Island en route to the marina at Ballycastle. It provides 74 berths in the inner harbours, with a good many reserved for visiting boats. The harbour has undergone a £5m upgrade to allow access for the ferry service to Rathlin. Heading further west, you can call in at Portrush harbour, with its 40m pontoon for visiting yachts. Further on, entry to the River Bann and onto Coleraine with its three marinas: Seatons, Coleraine and Cranagh is available in favourable weather conditions. However, the river has two training walls making it inadvisable when there are strong onshore winds or heavy swells. The town has a rich heritage including whisky distilling and salmon fishing. Northern Ireland’s westernmost marina is in Londonderry/Derry itself on the banks of the River Foyle, at the head of the expansive Lough Foyle. There is a well marked navigation channel down the Donegal side, used by large ships. Foyle Marina has
Glenarm Marina © Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism.
65 recently undergone a major expansion and can now accommodate up to 60 visiting vessels. Full marina facilities include water and electricity at each berth and toilets / showers on site. There are no harbours or anchorages on the SE side of the Lough until inside River Foyle itself. On the County Donegal (NW) side there are a couple of harbours, Greencastle and Moville, both of which cater for visiting yachts. Carrickarory has a small pier with some room for anchoring, as does Moville, but both are in the run of the tide so beware!
Antrim © Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
Further along the Lough, where it narrows, lies Culmore Bay; a pleasant anchorage out of the main tideway. At Lough Foyle you cross from Northern Ireland into Ireland. The NW shore of Lough Foyle is in County Donegal (Republic of Ireland) and the SE shore is County Londonderry (UK); the two meet in the mudflats at Muff. There are no border
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