Portachurry is a narrow rocky inlet situated on the south west corner of Inishtrahull Island that lies approximately six miles east of Ireland's northmost point Malin Head. In very settled conditions a temporary respite anchorage could be had here in the mouth of the inlet or a small boat could come alongside a small jetty at the head of the inlet.
Portachurry is a stay-aboard anchorage that only affords tenacious protection from northerly winds. It is however severely exposed to Atlantic swell and holding can be poor off the rocky inlet. Access requires careful navigation and good visibility as the surrounding inlet is fringed with rocks and the area is subject to strong currents, standing waves and tidal races.
Keyfacts for Portachurry
Last modified
June 23rd 2025 Summary* Restrictions apply
A stay-aboard location with careful navigation required for access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
55° 25.716' N, 007° 14.575' WThis is the approximate anchoring location off the mouth of the inlet on the southwest corner of the island.
What is the initial fix?
The following Portachurry Initial Fix will set up a final approach:
55° 25.600' N, 007° 14.786' W 
What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in the northeast Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Malin Head to Strangford Lough 
.
.- Vessels approaching from the east will find open water all the way to Inishtrahull and Portmore.
- Vessels approaching from the west should avoid the Garvan Isles and will find it easier to round Inishtrahull's southern side.
- Align a bearing of 227° T of the conspicuous red tripod crane situated on the Portmore quay and track into the cut.
- Pass between the flanking outer rocks and continue up the centre of the cut.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Portachurry for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Portmore - 0.5 nautical miles NE
- Malin Harbour or Slievebane Bay - 4.6 nautical miles SW
- Culdaff Bay - 8.3 nautical miles SSE
- Tremone Bay - 11 nautical miles SSE
- Kinnagoe Bay - 13 nautical miles SE
- Lenan Bay - 14.9 nautical miles SW
- Portkill - 15.6 nautical miles SE
- Portnocker - 16.1 nautical miles SE
- Moville - 16.1 nautical miles SSE
- Carrickarory Pier - 16.2 nautical miles SSE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Portmore - 0.5 miles NE
- Malin Harbour or Slievebane Bay - 4.6 miles SW
- Culdaff Bay - 8.3 miles SSE
- Tremone Bay - 11 miles SSE
- Kinnagoe Bay - 13 miles SE
- Lenan Bay - 14.9 miles SW
- Portkill - 15.6 miles SE
- Portnocker - 16.1 miles SE
- Moville - 16.1 miles SSE
- Carrickarory Pier - 16.2 miles SSE
Approaches to the island are detailed in the islands primary berth of 
The Portachurry initial fix is 400 metres southwest of the bay and 600 metres south-southwest of Inishtrahull lighthouse on the summit of the hill that makes up the western side of the island. A bearing of 45° T from the initial fix will lead into the anchoring location. The southern shore of Inishtrahull is steep to, free of off lying dangers and can be approached as close as 100 metres. 
