DORINISH ISLAND CLEW BAY IRELAND WINDOWS

The clubhouse is only open on days when club events are taking place. Clubhouse with showers, toilets, kitchen, bar when open. Mayo Sailing Club ( ) has visitor moorings. James Street (very good source for local information)ĭaily trains to Dublin. It is one of the most scenic routes in Ireland, and anywhere to be precise.ĭinghy racing at nearby Mayo Sailing Club The Great Western Greenway, a bicycle and walking path that follows the old railway track, runs almost the entire way around Clew Bay, from Achill to Murrisk. Croagh Patrick looms ever present in the distance. Traditional music can be found somewhere on any given night. There are pubs galore in Westport including the famous Matt Molloys. James Street leads from the Monument back to the Mall. Shop Street leads from the Clock Tower to the Monument. Bridge Street leads from the Mall to the Clock Tower. The rest of the town has a one-way traffic system for cars and forms a U-shaped commercial district. This is where festivals often take place. The Carrowbeg River runs through town with a Mall along the river banks. It has won the Tidy Towns competition several years in a row. Westport is one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland. It has some shops, galleries, several pubs and restaurants, a hotel, B&Bs, as well as easy access to Westport House estate which is open to the public.Ībout a mile’s walk over the hill (or a walk/ride on the Greenway) brings one into the main part of town. The ocean waterfront area, known as The Quay, is about 1 mile outside of the main town. It’s best to stay closer to the Quay as shoals extend far into the harbour from the port shore. Follow that in toward Roman island, then follow the markers carefully to thread your way past the tip of Roman Island (factory and factory ruin) leaving the large green cone to starboard as you round into the harbour along the Quay. Pick up the markers off Dorinish More where the channel turns East. With a powerboat, however, a bit of careful navigation gets you to the heart of the action.įrom the lighthouse on Inishgort, turn North to make way past Inishlyre. If your vessel doesn’t draw much, there is a hole deep enough to anchor a small boat opposite Quay Cottage. It’s a rather long way in from the anchorages and truly impractical to get in by dinghy from a sailboat. You also have to thread your way around shallows and hazards. The Quay dries out at low tide so you have to be able to tie up quayside and sit on the muddy bottom.

Westport is not a port that is easily accessible.

There is a third anchorage off Dorinish More but it is very exposed to the prevailing winds. Visitors are asked not to spend more than 10 minutes tied up as the pontoon is used for access by both the islanders and the sailing club. A new pontoon installed in 2013 provides access to the pier at all water levels.

Take care to stay clear of the Mayo Sailing Club mooring field. The second is between Rosmoney and Collanmore. The most protected is the anchorage inside Inishlyre (where there is also potable water at the pier). There are two recommended anchorages inside Westport Bay. If sailing into Clew Bay, pass Clare Island (stop for a visit to Grace O’Malley’s Castle and to hike the beautiful heritage trail and unspoilt terrain) and continue toward Inishgort to pick up the marked channel into Westport Quay. The atmosphere was jovial, with families and groups enjoying a hearty winter lunch with friends. We were greeted warmly at the door, given a choice of bar or table, and soon the lovely creamy Guinness was flowing. We bought a Sunday paper and then moseyed back to The Helm, one of our new favourite places for lunch.

DORINISH ISLAND CLEW BAY IRELAND WINDOWS

We strolled leisurely along the Quay looking into shop windows and greeting other strollers. There are stairs and ladders all along the wall, providing good access to the street level. (It’s too bad that there’s such blight on such a magical spot.) As we rounded the bend and entered the Quay area, we chose our spot close to the head of the harbour where we tied up to one of the fishing vessels. We picked our way cautiously among shallows until we made our way past the old factory and ruins on Roman Island. There was little swell so the ride was relatively smooth. It was another remarkably calm day on this often wind-swept coast. As we carefully picked our way among the islands on a rising tide, the sunlight streamed in welcome warmth.

Dorinish island clew bay ireland