Ballydowan is a small village, on the eastern shore of Larne Lough, which is situated on the northeast coast of Ireland. Located about a mile and a half within the lough it provides a secluded anchorage adjacent to a local mooring area.

The anchorage at Ballydowan affords good protection in the enclosed waterway of Larne Lough, but it is somewhat exposed to a fetch that can develop across the large expanse of water to the northwest. Access is straightforward as Larne Lough may be approached day or night, at any stage of the tide and in all reasonable conditions. Outside of the harbour, navigation aids become scarce but the trek down to the anchorage is via a deep channel with no obstructions, where it is simply a matter of passing along the shoreline to Ballydowan.

Keyfacts for Ballydowan

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 49.716' N, 005° 45.818' W

This anchorage is within Larne Lough and off Islandmagee’s western shore. The position is immediately south of the small spit of headland extending south from Ballydowan upon the lough’s eastern shore.

What is the initial fix?

Half a mile north of the harbour and approximately midway between Larne No. 1 and No. 2 Light buoys. This is set upon the leading lights alignment of 184.3° T that leads through the centre of the entrance channel.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Ballydowan with its small village ashore is situated within Lough Larne, just over a mile and a half to the southeast of Larne Harbour and off the western shore of Islandmagee.

Use the directions for Larne Harbour for approaches.

After entering the harbour continue south past Ballylumford Power Station and its pier, between the L-shaped ‘A’ wharf and No.7 buoy, and then along the western shore of Islandmagee. Here the eastern shore of the inner Lough is covered by a gravelly foreshore that dries up to 200 metres off. Outside of this, there is a 200 metres wide channel that carries 6 metres of water for half a mile. Close after the Larne Lough yellow buoy is passed to starboard it falls to 4 metres and then to about 2 metres abreast of Ballydowan.

Larne Lough - Buoy Yellow Fl.Y.5s position: 54° 49.901' N, 005° 46.481' W

Ballydowan is approximately a mile and a half from the main harbour and will be readily located by the local boats moored there.


Anchor 100 metres offshore in depths of 2 to 3 metres to the northwest of local boats. There is good holding here and very little tidal flow.

Why visit here?

Ballydowan derives its name from the Gaelic Baile Uí Dhubháin. Baile means ‘town’ Uí Dhubháin of the family Dhubháin. The name is derived from the Gaelic word dubh meaning "black" with Dhubháin been anglicised to ‘Dowan’ and often in other places ‘Gowan’.

Ballydowan was originally a lime kiln and its disused remains are still visible ashore. Today it is a quiet out of the way village on the rural Islandmagee peninsula. Curiously, and in the relatively modern history of 1710 and 1711, arrests were made in the area that led to Ireland's last ever witch trial in Carrickfergus when eight women were convicted of witchcraft. They were sentenced to one year's imprisonment and were each to be pilloried four times.

From a sailing perspective, situated on the sparsely populated western shore of Islandmagee, this anchorage is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Larne. Anchored off behind the gentle gradients on Islandmagee’s western shore, on the sheltered waters of Larne Lough, it makes for the perfect hideaway.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Ballydowan and little or nothing ashore apart from an old disused lime kiln. There is a village a mile inland towards the east coast which has a small shop and café.

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred in Ballydowan.

With thanks to:

Terry Crawford, local boatman of many decades. Photography with thanks to Eric Jones, Albert Bridge and Robert Ashby.

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