East Down Yacht Club is located on Strangford Lough’s western shore close north of Killyleagh, on the northeast coast of Ireland. The anchorage lies in an inner pool between Taggart Island and the shore where a vessel may anchor in the pool or use visitor moorings, and there is also the possibility to come alongside at the club jetty.

The inner pool provides complete protection from all conditions. The enclosed stretch of water provides shelter sailing in all weather, all tides and has ample marks to make daylight navigation straightforward.

Entry is restricted by the depth to the latter part of the flood.

Keyfacts for East Down Yacht Club

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 24.870' N, 005° 38.566' W

Middle of pool between Island Taggart and mainland.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Holm Bay Initial Fix

54° 24.110' N, 005° 37.400' W

In the middle of the 600 metre gap between Barrel and Long Rocks that leads into Holm Bay. It is located in a 12 metres contour and less than 2 miles away from the entrance to the inner Lough.

(ii) Killyleagh Initial Fix

54° 23.573' N, 005° 37.537' W

Between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are marked by perches. It is set upon the useful transit marked on the Admiralty chart keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

East Down Yacht Club is located on the western shore of Strangford Lough, 2½ miles north-west of the Narrows and to the west of Island Taggart. It provides a deep water pool with pontoon berthing and visitors’ moorings.

The inner pool, or ‘Dorn’ which is the local expression for this type of bay, is situated inside Island Taggart where you will the East Down Yacht Club is noted on Admiralty Chart 2156. The pool is tidal restricted and best entered and exited from Holm Bay to the south.

The internal pool has a minimum of 2 metres at LWS but at half tide, the access channel will have as little as a ½ metre. Approaches, from the South, should be in the latter part of the flood between HW-3 and HW+3, draft dependant.


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 there are two approaches, direct to East Down Yacht Club inner pool via Holm Bay utilising the Holm Bay Initial Fix that is north of Barrel Rock. Or, alternatively, come south of Barrel Rock to the Killyleagh Initial Fix and enter from Holm Bay from the south and then approach the inner pool.

The first approach is the most direct route, a distance of just under 2½ miles from the Lough’s entrance, and is an approach into Holm Bay between Barrel and Long Rocks. Barrel Rock which uncovers at low water is marked by a perch and normally has racing Mark 4 close by. This route is most likely to take a vessel directly over McLaughlin Rock that has a chart Datum of 2.7 metres and is unlikely to be an issue to most cruising vessels but may be worth some consideration. A special note should be made of an outcropping to the south-west of Long Rocks.

The southern approach to Holm Bay is described by the Killyleagh Initial Fix between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are both marked by perches. Skate Rock, to the south of Barrel, uncovers at four hours of ebb and normally has a racing mark K close by. This approach has a useful transit to help pass between the Barrel and Skate rocks. Look astern on approach and keep Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island and you will find the Killyleagh Initial Fix is on this transit indicated on the Admiralty chart between the rocks. Once Barrel rock is passed (stay well clear) turn for Holm Bay


There are three clearly marked visitors’ moorings in Holm Bay (locally pronounced Home Bay) and this is an ideal location to await a flood tide to enter the inner pool.

A line of two to three visitor moorings mark the mid-channel position of the small pool. Holding in the inner pool is very good but due to strong currents that can run up to 1.5 knots through the anchorage, most people pick up moorings here. Pontoon berthing is generally available except during events when facilities may be overrun. There is no charge for using the pontoons but a donation is much appreciated if possible.

Why visit here?

This quiet picturesque anchorage offers complete protection and has all the resources of ‘East Down Yacht Club’ immediately to hand plus Killyleagh, the largest town on the shores of the Lough, just one mile away.

The anchorage is also alongside Island Taggart, one of the largest islands in Strangford Lough, which is attractive and worthy of a visit. The island is owned by the National Trust who preserve the two small farms that existed here in the past. Much of the filming of ‘December Bride’ took place on Island Taggart in early 1990s particularly the Echlin farmhouse. The movie was based on Sam Hanna Bell's 1950s novel describing a tight-knit Presbyterian community in turn-of-the-century Northern Ireland. It is a remarkable story of passion and politics set against a rural backdrop.

A host of wildlife such as badgers foxes and otters now reside on Taggart, and camping is also permitted. It is a must visit location for any visitors to the anchorage at East Down Yacht Club.

What facilities are available?

‘East Down Yacht Club’ has good facilities for both cruising and racing boats with a nine acre site, that includes a modern clubhouse, a caravan and camping park, car parking, a boat-park and a slipway. Fresh water is available on the pontoon but no power. There are showers and a well stocked bar at the Yacht Club which is well supported on race nights and at weekends and has a welcoming relaxed atmosphere. The club has the facility to haul out yachts of up to 10 metres.

The club is a mile outside of Killyleagh, the largest town on the Lough, where a visitor can find an alternative hotel and more pubs. With a population of almost two and half thousand the town has good shopping plus a basic chandlery, garage, bank, taxis and buses. A five tonnes crane is available for hire on the quay and some boat and rigging repairs can be addressed here. It is situated on the A22 road to Downpatrick which is a sizeable town that serves as the commercial and administrative centre for the locality.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred at East Down Yacht Club.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades. Photography with thanks to Rossographer.

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