
This is a tolerable location in anything south round to northwest or in settled conditions. However, the bay is entirely exposed to any wind that has the slightest easterly component. Access is straightforward at any state of the tide as the bay is open, clear of danger and shoals gradually to the shore.
Keyfacts for Ardmore Bay
Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Approaches
Shelter
Last modified
December 4th 2020 Summary
A tolerable location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
At the head of the small pier’s outer breakwater.
What is the initial fix?
The following Ardmore Bay initial fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in southern Ireland’s Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour
.
- Between Helvick Head and Youghal Bay the coast is high, bold, precipitous and free from outlying dangers.
- Pass into the bay northeast of Ardmore Head and anchor according to draught.
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 Ardmore Bay for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Youghal - 4.7 nautical miles W
- Knockadoon Slip - 6.7 nautical miles SW
- Helvick - 8.9 nautical miles NE
- Dungarvan Town Quay - 9.2 nautical miles NNE
- Ballynacourty (The Pool) - 9.6 nautical miles NNE
- Ballycotton - 12.8 nautical miles SW
- Stradbally Cove - 13.8 nautical miles NE
- Northeast of Great Island - 18.5 nautical miles WSW
- Boatstrand Harbour - 19 nautical miles NE
- East Ferry Marina - 19.1 nautical miles WSW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Youghal - 4.7 miles W
- Knockadoon Slip - 6.7 miles SW
- Helvick - 8.9 miles NE
- Dungarvan Town Quay - 9.2 miles NNE
- Ballynacourty (The Pool) - 9.6 miles NNE
- Ballycotton - 12.8 miles SW
- Stradbally Cove - 13.8 miles NE
- Northeast of Great Island - 18.5 miles WSW
- Boatstrand Harbour - 19 miles NE
- East Ferry Marina - 19.1 miles WSW
Chart
What's the story here?

Image: Michael Harpur
Ardmore Bay (northeast of Ram and Ardmore Heads) is an open bay, with the small historic village Ardmore at its head. The village is overlooked by the ruins of a cathedral and the 12th-century Round Tower situated to the southwest. It is primarily a seaside resort, with a permanent population of around 430, which increases in the tourist season.

Image: Michael Harpur
The east-facing bay is exposed but clear of danger, and shoals gradually to the shore. It affords temporary anchorage in fine weather on a bottom of rock and sand. Landings can be made on the small breakwater and boat slip in the corner of the bay near the village. Locally referred to as the boat cove, it is protected by two breakwaters and has recently seen some significant development. It lacks any depth of water to enable a vessel to come in and is primarily used to protect landings and to enable a handful of small local open fishing boats to be hauled clear of the water.

Image: Burke Corbett
The Cliff House Hotel, conspicuously situated on the south shore of the bay, has laid two heavy-duty moorings in the bay. These are situated directly in front of the hotel and in close proximity to the harbour. Use of the moorings is free of charge but, it goes without saying, vessels making use of these should reciprocate usage by bringing trade to the hotel. To ensure availability contact the hotel in advance on
How to get in?

Image: Conor Lennon

Image: Burke Corbett
Vessels approaching from all other directions will find the Ram Head peninsula (sometimes Rams Head or Ram’s Head) readily identifiable from the south by its distinctive square watchtower. Vessels should keep at least 500 metres off Ram Head and/or outside the 10-metre contour to avoid off-lying rocks and shallows.

Image: Burke Corbett

Image: Burke Corbett
The mouth of the bay is just under a mile wide between Ardmore Head and a rocky point called the Black Rocks, which form the north boundary of the bay. The Black Rocks uncover out to a distance of 400 metres from the shore.

Image: Burke Corbett
From the centre of the bay, proceed towards the village pier situated in the southwest corner of the bay. An ancient round tower, standing on the slope of a hill a little above the village of Ardmore, will be a conspicuous marker. It is advisable not to progress any further in of a clearing line of 230° T to the Bay’s distinctive Round Tower. Staying east of this clearing line keeps a vessel clear of the Black Rocks.

Image: Burke Corbett

Image: Conor Lennon
Land alongside the village slip, which is substantially buttressed by a recent breakwater and an outer pier. Do not cut the corner of the new inner breakwater that extends eastward from the shore alongside the slip. A rocky outcrop extends from the head of this breakwater; likewise the inner shore beneath the cliff face is rocky.
Why visit here?
Ardmore derives its name from the Irish Aird Mhor, meaning the 'great height', which describes the bay’s eastern promontory, rising to 58 metres. The village is historically significant for being the birthplace of Irish Christianity.
Image: Tourism Ireland
The monastery was founded here as early as AD 316 by St Declan, who was born in Ireland and educated in Wales. This was nearly a century before the coming of St Patrick (AD 390-461), who was born in Scotland. The ruins of the small church of St Declan's Oratory are overlooked by the village’s signature landmark, the 30-metre high, 12th-century Round Tower. Standing over the village and bay, and highly conspicuous on the latter stages of an easterly approach, this tower is believed to mark the burial place of St Declan.

Image: Tourism Ireland
Many believe the stone Round Tower was a bell tower, but it what is certain is that it was a place of refuge for the Monks and important ecclesiastical documents and treasures. The entrance doorway of the tower is some four metres above ground level and would have offered a short-term bolthole from a seaborne raid. It can be visited today via a short ascent from the village, where St Declan's Well will be passed in the vicinity of the footpath starting to the east of the pier.
What cannot be seen today is any trace of Ardmore Castle or, more appropriately, castles. There is no visible trace of these today, but this was not always the case. Smith, writing in 1746, records: 'Ardmore is now no more than a village, there appears at present, the stump of a castle; and not long since, was a much larger one there, which was taken down.'

Image: John Finn
In 1844 Mr O’Flanagan wrote in his Historical and Picturesque Guide to the Blackwater in Munster: 'There are also traces of two ancient castles, but neither history nor tradition throws any light on the persons by whom or the purposes for which they were erected.' They had evidently completely vanished by 1860, when Hayman’s Guide to Youghal, Ardmore and The Blackwater appeared, as he has no mention of them. One castle stood just below the Oratory immediately outside the cathedral grounds. It was laid siege to in 1642 and capitulated within a day.

Image: Tourism Ireland
Borlace’s account of the battle is militaristic, triumphant and, to be entirely objective, the surrender of the castle was the only reasonable outcome. Moreover, the defenders fought a stalwart battle throughout the day. It was only after the church and tower had been taken, situated on the higher ground above the castle and eliminating more than a quarter of the defending forces, that the castle was surrendered 'on mercy'. 'Mercy' was scarce that day, however, as Borlace continues 'women and children [were] spared, but a hundred and forty men were put to the sword'. Objectively, the taking of the castle was very much less the brave feat that colours Borlace’s narrative. The Garrison that took the castle was sizeable and one of several operating in the area; as Borlace describes in the advance to the castle: ‘Our forces were about 400. All muskets, besides 60 horse, part of the two Lords troops.’ This vastly outnumbered and outgunned the 140 defending men, who had only two muskets to hold the church and castle from the advancing garrison of professional soldiers.
On leaguer’d castle wall,
When bastion, tower and battlement,
Seem nodding to their fall.
From The siege of Ardmore Castle, 1642 by James Buckley.

Image: John Finn
Today Ardmore is a quaint little seaside resort and fishing village. The level of fishing activity is small, however, and declining due to a lack of harbour investment. Only a limited number of open-boat fishermen are active from the village. As a tourist resort Ardmore is thriving, largely driven by its beautiful protected beaches. Fronting Ardmore Bay is the mile-long Blue Flag beach known locally as the ‘main beach’, while the adjacent Curragh, Ballyquin, Whiting Bay and Goat Island are four equally stunning beaches.

Image: Michael Harpur
The village itself has an art gallery, pottery and craft shops, plus a choice of fine hotels, restaurants and pubs for that most important meal. It has the added enchantment of being part of the Gaelic-speaking 'Coastal Gaeltacht' district of the Ring (An Rinn). Signposts, shop names and businesses of the community are all conducted in Gaelic. This makes for a unique visitor experience, as the love of Irish music, song and dance, together with the language, is very special.

Image: Tourism Ireland
Those who like to stride out should not miss the highly rewarding Cliff Walk out along the Ram Head peninsula. This begins near the Cliff House Hotel and ends back in the village main street, and is well marked by posts along the route. It provides breath-taking scenery and views over the extent of Ardmore Bay from the 64-metre-high rocky headland. There are several historic features of interest en route.

Image: Kevin Higgins via CC BY-SA 2.0
Located on the inner shore of the peninsula is the notable wreck of the Samson, which was a crane barge. It was being towed from Liverpool to Malta when, during a storm in December 1987, it was cut loose from its two tugboats off the Welsh coast. The crew members were subsequently rescued and the Samson blew a couple of hundred miles to its final resting point on the rocks of Ardmore Bay. Here it has been rusting away ever since, cast in its new role as tourist attraction and popular wreck for divers.

Image: Michael Harpur
There are many other older wrecks in the bay area, including the Marechal de Noailles, Bandon, Peri, Scotland, Sextusa, Peg Tranton, and the more recent Anne Sophie and Fee des Ondes. The remaining keel of the latter wreck may still be seen at low tide on the main beach. Four miles out to the south of Ram Head lies the wreck of Cunard Line’s SS Folia, which draws much attention for both local and visiting divers. The 131-metre (430ft), twin-funnelled passenger liner was built in 1907 and was armed with a 12-pounder 12-cwt stern gun during World War I. She was nonetheless torpedoed in March 1917 by a German U-Boat about 4 miles southeast of Ram Head when bound from New York to Bristol. The U-Boat commander allowed the crew to take to their lifeboat, who then heard the church bells of Sunday Service. Following the sound, they arrived into Ardmore, where they were well catered for by villagers. The captain and 67 crew survived the sinking, while seven were found to be missing, presumed killed by the explosion. The stern gun from the Folia was recovered by a team of local divers and presented to the village of Ardmore in March 2017.

Image: Michael Harpur
The well-kept family resort and small, quaint fishing village has plenty to offer the passing cruiser. It may not be the best anchorage in the world, but is perfectly serviceable for a short stay. Moreover, access is direct and easy, plus there is a very good landing area. Once inside, the village is charming and it comes with beautiful sweeps of beach, wonderful and interesting cliff walks, and offers a superb archaeological site to explore.
What facilities are available?
Ardmore has in the past been largely overlooked by the cruising community and as such has few facilities specifically tailored to visiting yachtsmen. The small pier and quay has a slipway. The village immediately above has facilities to support a permanent population of about 350, which is vastly increased during the summer by visitors, as well as those who stay in the caravan park above the beach. The main street has a mini supermarket, a pharmacy and a number of pubs, restaurants and hotels. A petrol station is open in the village during the summer providing fuel by Jerry can. Bus Éireann provides a three-times daily bus service, No. 260 Ardmore / Youghal / Cork, and the twice daily 362 Ardmore / Dungarvan / Waterford. Waterford airport is within 40 minutes’ drive. The hotel offers showers and internet access for people using its facilities.Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored or on moorings in Ardmore Bay.With thanks to:
Burke Corbett and Siobhan Ryan, THE CLIFF HOUSE HOTEL, Ardmore, Co Waterford.Photos with thanks to Burke Corbett, Mik Herman, Kevin Higgins, Mjrogers50, John Finn and Michael Watson.Aerial overview of Ardmore Bay
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