Oyster Haven is a sea-inlet on the south coast of Ireland situated about ten miles southwest of the entrance to Cork Harbour and two miles east of the entrance to Kinsale Harbour. The harbour offers a picturesque and secluded anchorage with few shore facilities.

The natural harbour offers complete protection from all conditions but it can be subject to swell in developed southerly conditions. This is particularly the case in the lower section of the harbour that becomes uncomfortable in stiff conditions from south round to southeast. In these conditions, it is advisable to take the vessel up the northwest arm of the harbour, which will support vessels of up to two metres. Oyster Haven provides straightforward access and may be entered in daylight in almost all conditions on any state of the tide.

There is an unmarked and covered rock inside the harbour. This is easily avoided by taking a westerly route up through the harbour but should be noted from the outset.

Keyfacts for Oyster Haven

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 41.720' N, 008° 27.180' W

In the middle of the anchorage to the northwest of Ferry Point in 3.7 metres.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is outside the haven entrance. It is approximately a quarter of a nautical mile east of Ballymacus point, quarter of a nautical mile to the north of Big Sovereign Rock and quarter of a nautical mile to the west of Little Sovereign.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Oyster Haven is a large 'Y' shaped sea-inlet situated two miles to the east of Kinsale Harbour. The townlands bordering the northern and eastern sides of the inlet are also known as Oysterhaven and there is a small hamlet on the east side of the harbour. Oysterhaven is home to The Oysterhaven Centre , a watersports and outdoor education" centre and the overlooking Kinsale Hotel & Spa .




At the entrance of the east arm of the haven, there is an anchorage off the eastern slip that has 3 to 4 metres. This anchorage is exposed to any seaway with southerly quadrants. Better protection will be found above Ferry Point in Murray's Creek, the inlets northwest arm, in 3 to 5 metres of water. In stronger southeasterly conditions, the eastern arm of the creek provides good protection in 3 metres close to the shore. Vessels that can dry will find perfect protection by penetrating deep into Murray’s Creek or Ballinclashnet Creek the eastern arm of Oyster Haven.

How to get in?

Approach details are available in southeastern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head . Oyster Haven may be positively identified from seaward by its off-lying Sovereign islets that lay outside its entrance.




These are two high rock islands that share the same name and the most conspicuous of these is the Big Sovereign islet. Situated a ½ mile south of the entrance, Big Sovereign is made up of two steep green-topped rocky outcrops, 22 and 28 metres high.




They are divided into almost two equal parts by a cleft that is about the length of a small boat. A rocky outcrop that dries to 2.1 metres lies within 100 metres southeastward of the rocks but good depths will be found 200 metres out from the rocks all-around.




Further inshore and 200 metres off the eastern point of the entrance is the 16 metres high rocky Little Sovereign islet. There is deep water between Little Sovereign islet and the mainland save for the Sovereign Patch that has the least depth of 2.1 metres LAT. A safe passage may be made between Little Sovereign and the shore for vessels of a moderate draft during settled conditions or above half tide. Otherwise, keep south of Little Sovereign.




From the initial fix the harbour will be wide open and it is safe to proceed up the centre of the entrance between its western Ballymacus Point and unnamed eastern entrance point situated a ¼ of a mile northwest of Little Sovereign.




Proceeding northward past Kinure Point on the eastern shore, about 0.6 miles northeast of Ballymacus Point. The inner entrance is narrow, but there is plenty of water at the mouth of the harbour that it is free of obstructions.




The only danger in the way of vessels entering Oyster Haven is in the inner harbour area beyond Kinure Point. This is the covered and unmarked Harbour Rock that has 0.9 metres LAT of water over it.




Harbour Rock lies about a ½ mile within the entrance, about halfway up inside the harbour abreast of Ferry Point, nearly midway between it and the opposite shore where the slipway can be seen on the eastern shore. The best channel is to the west of Harbour Rock standing about 150 metres off Ferry Point where the rock is passed to starboard. There is ample space with the passage between Ferry Point and the Harbour Rock being approximately 300 metres wide.



The alignment of Big Sovereign on Kinure Point leads over Harbour Rock. So a clearing line of keeping Big Sovereign open of Kinure Point provides a back transit to avoid the rock.




The anchorage is on the north side of Ferry Point, at the entrance of the western arm, in 3 to 5 metres of water. Find a location that is comfortable and anchor about a midpoint between the shores.




There is good holding in mud but do be careful that the anchor does not foul in seaweed. It is slightly confined by other boats and moorings in the season and an alternate anchorage can be found in the middle of the harbour in settled conditions. Land at the slip on the opposite shore to Ferry Point where a large white coastguard building will be seen.




Both these locations can be exposed to a heavy sea with southwesterly winds. In these conditions, a vessel can obtain better shelter by continuing up the northwestern arm of the bay into the picturesquely forested 'Murray’s Creek' often also known as Belgooley River.




The creek is subject to silting so vessels proceeding up the creek should take it steady with an eye to the sounder all the way. Expect to find 2 metres all the way up to a small quay where it is best to anchor in excellent mud holding. After this, it narrows and quickly becomes shallow. Many moorings will be encountered all the way up the creek.




In any developed southeasterly or easterly conditions, the easterly side of the haven provides the best protection anchored in sand as close to the eastern shore as draft will permit.

Why visit here?

Oysterhaven, in Irish Cuan Oisre, as noted by A. Reilly’s Cork history of 1701 derives its name from the excellent oysters that can be found here.




Historically very little has happened in this secluded and tranquil location. Its most significant historic building is the grim ruins of Mount-Long Castle overlooking the haven. The huge fortified mansion was built by John Long in 1631 in the reign of Elizabeth. When it was complete it consisted of the main block surrounded by four towers that were enclosed within a park of 1000 acres. But John Long would only enjoy it for a decade by which time he had become High Sheriff for County Cork and it would only survive intact for two more years.

In the autumn of 1641, the Confederate Rebellion erupted. In this rising the Irish Catholics attempted to take advantage of the turmoil in England caused by the Civil War. John Long and his sons, John and James Long, were considered a rebellious arm of the family and they joined their fellow Catholics. They departed the castle to join the rebels on a hill a few miles away at Belgooly which were being supplied with arms and ammunition by the Catholics of Kinsale. The following spring Lord Baltinglass landed at Kinsale to march on the rebels. He finally defeating them after a battle near Bandon.

After the battle, John Long sent his daughter to set fire to Mount Long so as to deny Cromwell the house. Long and his sons fled but were captures at Youghal and brought them back to Cork in chains and he was imprisoned in Shandon Castle. Cromwell subsequently annexed the estate given to the Cromwellian soldier Giles Busteed. John Long remained in prison in Shandon Castle for ten years, until Cromwell sent over one John Cooke to try 'certain persons alleged to have performed deeds contrary to the uses of warfare'. John Long was convicted of treason and sentenced to death along with 34 other prisoners. He was hanged at Shandon Castle in 1652 when he was 64 years old.

Located in a rural setting on the bank of Oyster Haven Bay, the very striking ruin of Mount Long Castle still stands guard over Murray's Creek 1 mile up from the anchorage. A fine example of a 17th-century fortified house, it was built at a time when more domestic houses were coming to replace the defensive tower house. Mount Long Castle was more ornamental in its design than the older type of tower houses, such as Blarney Castle, which were built solely for the purpose of defence. These uncomfortable buildings were designed to withstand attacks and sieges. But by the time of Mount Long, the effective development of artillery meant that castles were no longer impregnable and so builders of the time tended to opt more for decoration and comfort when the prime use of the buildings was no longer defensive. Evidence of the scars caused by the fire can be seen on the wooden lintels of the embrasures of the tiers of two-light windows with hoodmoulds.




The haven's only other footnote in history was during the 'Siege of Kinsale' when it was used by the British army as a place to land supplies. After the Boyne, William occupied Dublin and the Jacobites retreated to the west of Ireland. William attacked Limerick in August 1690 but was repulsed. To secure the Jacobite-held ports of Cork and Kinsale on the southern coast, he dispatched a force under John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. After taking Cork all that remained for the Williamites was to take Kinsale which was strongly defended by two forts, the Old Fort, also known as James' Fort, and the New Fort or Charles Fort.




The English forces besieging Kinsale then brought supplies to their camp, located to the north of the town, from ships anchored in Oyster Haven and then by boat up Murray Creek to Brown's Mills. Marlborough attacked the fortifications but was unable to take them by storm. The Old Fort only fell after an accidental explosion in its gunpowder magazine, which killed 40 and made a successful assault possible. After some 200 were slain the rest surrendered, receiving mercy. Charles Fort, however, held out for ten days and surrendered only after receiving guarantees that its 1,200-strong garrison could march away to Limerick.




After this brief flurry of activity in the 17th-century, Oyster Haven returned to the tranquil and picturesque harbour it is today. It now hosts a peaceful community that mainly consists of retired people and occasional wealthy owners of its holiday homes. You will see many other yachtsmen coming and going from their moorings. All of which is being overlooked by the Kinsale Hotel & Spa.




For the cruising boatman, it provides sheltered bays that make for a very pleasant anchorage with quick access to open water. It is a place where a vessel can peacefully swing on its chain away from the world of hustle and bustle whilst trailing a fishing line off the stern.

What facilities are available?

Oyster Haven has little or no facilities apart from a pier and slipway to land a dingy on. It has a very high status hotel, set in 90 acres of mature wooded parkland with panoramic views overlooking Oysterhaven Bay. The busy town of Kinsale however is only five to six kilometres away six and the bay is only 20 minutes from Cork International Airport.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred in Oyster Haven.

With thanks to:

Anthony McCarthy, local yachtsman.Photographs with thanks to Erik Sykora, Michael Harpur and Burke Corbett.