Chapel and Jackdaw Islands are located on the northeast coast of Ireland within Strangford Lough. These are the first islands to be reached sailing west out of Strangford Lough’s Narrows. This anchorage is to the west of Jackdaw Island, the smaller of the two islands.

This is a good anchorage offering all-round protection except for north round to northwesterly winds and offers particularly good protection from southerlies. The enclosed stretch of water provides shelter sailing in all weather, all tides and has ample marks to make daylight navigation straightforward.

Keyfacts for West of Jackdaw Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 22.968' N, 005° 36.538' W

200 metres west of Jackdaw Island.

What is the initial fix?

On the small 8.8 metre contour patch approximately 300 metres north of Chapel Island.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Details of the approaches, tidal timings and the run up the Narrows to about a ½ below Strangford are covered in the Entering and exiting the Strangford Narrows route description.

Having entered Strangford Lough make for the Chapel & Jackdaw Islands Initial Fix. This places you 300 metres north of Chapel Island where you can clearly see both islands. Pass around Jackdaw Island and feel your way to your preferred depth to anchor in shale with good holding.

Why visit here?

This is a snug anchorage where a boat can take in views across the island-dotted Lough to the west or to the mistily distant Mourne Mountains to the south.

From a sporting perspective, this is the ideal location to watch club racing. The much used racing mark No.11 (Jackdaw) is located nearby and, with the sun behind, it is the perfect place to watch the action.

You may land and go for a walk on Jackdaw or indeed Chapel Island from here, but please note that Jackdaw is an important nesting site for terns in the spring and should be avoided at that time.

On a quiet day, tucked away from it all behind uninhabited Jackdaw Island, it is easy to immerse oneself in the peaceful location. Very little has changed at this location and it is easy to cast the mind back a thousand years to when Viking boats passed through north of here. In 1002, and subsequently again in 1149, the sleek longboats came cutting through the Loughs peaceful waters, sharp-eyed crews tense with the anticipation of imminent battle and monastic plunder; bent on Quoile Abbey.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities on Chapel and Jackdaw Islands or in the surrounding area.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred around the isolated Chapel and Jackdaw Islands.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades.