Kilronan is a good anchorage and the only reliable haven in the Aran group. In moderate weather, the bay offers all-around shelter, but it is exposed to the entire fetch of Galway Bay. It, therefore, becomes untenable in strong winds between north and east and in a northwest gale a heavy swell rolls right into it. Access is straightforward at any stage of the tide and it has lights and markers that assist a night entry.
Keyfacts for Kilronan
Nature
Considerations
Protected sectors
Summary
A good location with straightforward access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
53° 6.996' N, 009° 39.979' WThis is the head of Kilronan breakwater where a light is shown Fl.G.1.5s 5M.
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
Not what you need?
- Caladh Mór Pier - 3.2 nautical miles ESE
- Inisheer - 5.9 nautical miles ESE
- Kiggaul Bay - 7.8 nautical miles NNW
- Dinish & Furness Islands - 9.4 nautical miles NNW
- Sruthan Quay - 9.8 nautical miles NNE
- Greatman's Bay - 9.8 nautical miles N
- Rossaveel - 9.8 nautical miles NNE
- Doolin Pier (Ballaghaline Quay) - 11.2 nautical miles ESE
- Kilkieran Bay - 12.6 nautical miles N
- Fanore Bay - 13.2 nautical miles E
- Caladh Mór Pier - 3.2 miles ESE
- Inisheer - 5.9 miles ESE
- Kiggaul Bay - 7.8 miles NNW
- Dinish & Furness Islands - 9.4 miles NNW
- Sruthan Quay - 9.8 miles NNE
- Greatman's Bay - 9.8 miles N
- Rossaveel - 9.8 miles NNE
- Doolin Pier (Ballaghaline Quay) - 11.2 miles ESE
- Kilkieran Bay - 12.6 miles N
- Fanore Bay - 13.2 miles E
Chart
What's the story here?
Image: Tourism Ireland
Translating to 'Large Island' in English Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Island Group. It is 7½ miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point. To seaward, it presents a perpendicular barrier of a cliff, while on the opposite side, the land descends from its summit to the shore in a succession of abrupt ledges and terraces. On this Galway Bay side of the island, it is indented by Killeany Bay near its southeast end. Tucked into the western end of Killeany Bay is Kilronan the principal town and harbour of the island group.
Image: Aran Camping & Glamping
The inner pier is used by multiple ferries and fishing vessels. There is the possibility of a berth on the pier inside the new breakwater with a floating pontoon suitable for visiting yachts. 8 visitor moorings can be found just south of the piers. It is also possible to anchor 200 to 400 metres south of the pier in 3 metres but do not berth in such a fashion as to obstruct ferries manoeuvring to go in and out of the harbour. Killeany Bay provides the only truly reliable anchoring location within the island group of not advisable in winds from the northwest, through north or east.
Image: Mark Ashley Miller
The best advice can be obtained from the Aran Kilronan Harbour Master Patrick McDonagh +353 (0)91 509 352, +353 (0)87 908 8379, patmcdonagh@galwaycoco.ie. There are also several visitor moorings; of which the ones nearest the shore are in depths of as little as 1 metre.
How to get in?
Image: Tourism Ireland courtesy of Lukasz Warzecha
Use Ireland’s coastal overview for Loop Head to Slyne Head for seaward approaches. The mile-wide entrance to Killeany Bay has a well-covered narrow ridge, called the Bar of Aran, extending across it. It extends in a southeast direction from Carrickfadda Point with 3 to 4 metres of cover. It then descends into a 300 metres wide channel between it and the foul ground that extends from Straw Island. This end of the Bar of Aran and the commencement of the entrance channel is marked by the starboard Killeany buoy.
Bar of Aran – starboard buoy Fl G 3s position: 53°07.259'N, 009° 38.226'
Image: Michael Harpur
Close east of the bay is the 11 metres high Straw Island. This is located about ½ a mile north of the northeast extremity of Inishmore Island and connected to it by the drying Cush Spit. The west side of the island is foul out to 400 metres. A light is shown on the north side of the island from a white tower and substructure with a red railing.
Straw Island - Lighthouse Fl(2) 5s, 11m 15M position: 53° 07.065’N, 009° 37.840’W
Image: Sonse
The entrance channel lies between these two and has 7.6 metres of water, deepening to 9.3 and 10.3 metres a short distance within, then decreasing gradually to the shore. An extensive flat, with from 3.1 to 3.7 metres of water over it gradually filling to the western half of the bay.
Image: Gareth Thomas
From the Initial Fix track in on the alignment of 226° T of the north side of a small sand patch close southeast of Killeany Point and the striking ruin of Teampal Bheanáin situated high on a ridge, which dominates the approach to the bay. This leads through the entrance that is flanked by a starboard buoy 'Bar of Aran' and the foul ground extending from Straw Island on the east.
If in any doubt pass close to the 'Bar of Aran' starboard buoy as Straw Island requires a berth of 600 metres to clear its foul ground that extends out to 400 metres.
Once south of the Killeany buoy starboard marker, it is safe to steer west-southwest for the end of Kilronan pier. Keep watch for lobster pots as they are laid close inshore throughout the bay.
Image: Aran Camping & Glamping
Anchor 200 to 400 metres south of the pier in 3 metres. There are also several visitor moorings; of which the ones nearest the shore are in depths of as little as 1 metre. But do not berth in such a fashion as to obstruct ferries manoeuvring to go in and out of the harbour.
Image: Graham Rabbits
Kilronan is situated on the north side of the bay with an L-shaped pier head, on which stands a light 2FR vert. The pier extends southwest from a point and is about 150 metres east of the village. A large new harbour and outer breakwater now protects it from the east. This is also lit at the head, Fl G. 4s, plus a starboard buoy will be seen to the south of the outer pier.
Image: Mark Ashley Miller
If the opportunity presents itself, as the harbour is usually crowded, a berth may be had alongside the 190-metre-long pier. There are depths of 2.7 metres alongside at the pierhead which is usually occupied by fishing vessels or the ferry that has priority. The new pier provides protection from easterly winds and the heavy swell resulting from northwest winds. Care should be taken not to impede the ferry or fishing activities if coming alongside.
Image: Deirdre via CC NC-SA 2.0
Alternatively, the old west pier may provide a temporary high-water berth. It has a clean bottom and about 2 metres may be afforded here after half-tide.
Image: Tourism Ireland
In strong east or southeast winds, it is best to anchor in the southeast end of the bay off Trawmore Strand clear of the submarine cables. In the southwest corner is the little drying boat harbour of Killeany that may offer a berth for those that can take to the hard.
Image: Il Turista Informato
The end of the pier dries to 1.5 metres and so does the channel to the first beacon. The harbour is entered via a channel marked by a pair of concrete alignment of beacons, in line 192° T, and flanked by two pairs of concrete port and starboard marks.
Why visit here?
The Aran Islands, in Irish Oileain Arann, are a group of three islands situated in a northwesterly to a southeasterly direction at the mouth of Galway Bay. The Irish word Árainn means "long ridge" which is an apt description for the island group. The three islands comprise of Inishmore, in Irish Árainnmhór or Inis-Mór, or Big Island; Inishmaan, in Irish Inis-Meáin or Middle Island; and finally Inisheer, in Irish Inis-Oirr or East Island.Image: Sonse
Inishmore is by far the largest island being 14kms (8.7 miles) in length and 3.8 kms (2.4 miles) in width with a total area of about 7,635 acres. It has about 1,100 inhabitants and the most populated of the group. The fishing port of Kilronan is Inishmore's main village, and in summer it is a hive of activity. A host of yachts will be moored in the harbour and the little village will be alive with visitors sampling the local pubs and restaurants which often offer classic impromptu Irish singing and dancing.
Image: Tourism Ireland
The island as a whole is a major tourist destination, with bed and breakfast accommodation scattered across the island. They come to experience the island’s strong Irish culture, loyalty to the Irish language, its unique environment and the wealth of Pre-Christian and Christian ancient sites including Dún Aonghasa. The island’s size makes all this available by foot, but alternative means to explore the island are available such as hiring a bicycle or taking a pony and trap, and for the less energetic, taking a guided tour on the minibus from the pier.
Image: Tourism Ireland
The island’s wealth of antiquities, including several ancient stone forts and churches, are outstanding. The most impressive is the aforementioned well-preserved stone 1st-century fort Dún Aonghasa. It has huge semi-circular walls right on a cliff edge that falls perpendicular to over 100 metres into the Atlantic Ocean below. The forts structural perfection and the awe-inspiring position has moved many experts to pronounce it one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Europe and it has been designated a World Heritage Site. In short, described as "the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe", it is an experience not to be missed. Likewise, the Atlantic Ocean views from the surrounding cliff tops are superb.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Another fort Dún Dubhchathair, that translates to ‘The Black Fort’, situated on Inishmore's southern cliffs is thought to be the oldest of the forts. Another Dún Eochla is the smallest of the forts and it has a Neolithic tomb. This fort is found in the middle of the island south of the village of Eochaill, meaning Yew wood. from which it gets its name. The fort is circular and consists of two terraced walls. Exact dates are not known but it is thought to be somewhat later than Dún Aonghasa possibly late Iron Age. Nearby are the remains of an early 19th-century lighthouse which while on the highest point of the island was too badly placed to have been effective use.
Image: Tourism Ireland
A small heritage park is located nearby that features examples of a traditional thatched cottage and an illegal poteen distillery. Teampal Bheanáin, used for entry alignment marker with Killeany Point, are the ruins of an ancient church measuring under 11 ft x 7 ft. A unique example of Celtic church construction. It marks the location of the original monastic settlement founded by Benen, a disciple of St. Patrick, the national saint of Ireland. It dates from the 11th-century, and has stood unaltered a thousand years. It is reputed to be one of the smallest churches in the world.
Image: Seba Sofariu
The island has a wealth of history that is far beyond the capability of this overview. This is very well catered for by a visit the Inishmore Tourist Office or better still the Ionad Arainn Heritage Centre that is a few minutes’ walk from Kilronan. It presents a guided tour that takes its visitors through 2000 years in the life and times of an Aran islander. The Centre also shows the 1934 documentary film 'Man of Aran' by Robert O'Flaherty which should be seen if possible. Other works of literature by some of the islands best-known writers and poets including Liam O'Flaherty and Mairtin O'Direain are also available here. Both were inspired by life on the islands of Aran, and O'Direain is thought of as Ireland’s unacknowledged poet laureate. In addition to this Ionad Arainn has many displays of local crafts such as curragh and traditional Aran sweater making.
Image: Seba Sofariu
Walkers will find the island a paradise. A journey over the craggy cliffs and along the indented coast will present an abundance of wildlife plus hundreds of varieties of wildflowers that have for centuries offered inspiration to the artists and photographers exhibited in Ionad Arainn.
Image: Seba Sofariu
The island’s ecosystem is unique and an extension of The Burren. Its terrain is composed of limestone pavements with crisscrossing cracks known as grikes, crevices, leaving isolated rocks called clints. The grikes provide moist shelter, thus supporting a wide range of plants including dwarf shrubs. This added to the islands unusually temperate climate, with average air temperatures ranging from 15°C in July to 6°C in January, provides one of the longest growing seasons in Ireland or Britain that supports diverse and rich plant growth. The island has arctic, Mediterranean and alpine plants side-by-side, due to the unusual environment. Late May is the sunniest time, and also likely the best time to view flowers, with the gentians and avens peaking, but orchid species bloom later.
Image: Seba Sofariu
From a boating perspective Inishmore, Árainnmhór or Inis Mhór, akin to Skellig Michael, is one of Ireland’s unique and magical experiences. Yet unlike Skellig Michael, it supports a good anchorage with resources ashore to make it viable for a stay of several very enjoyable days.
What facilities are available?
Diesel fuel may usually be obtained from a fishermen's cooperative on the quay. Likewise fresh water is available from a tap at the pier. Groceries may be obtained from the village of Kilronan. This is the principal village of Inishmore, and caters for its permanent 1,100 population of which about 270 are located in the village. This is vastly swelled by holiday makers in the summer. Shops, a pub, restaurants and bicycle hire will all be found here.There is a regular ferry service to Galway and Rossaveal in Connemara. There is a small airfield on Killeany Point, a mile to the southeast, from which there are services to Galway and Connemara Airport.
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Kilronan.With thanks to:
Gareth Thomas, Yacht Jalfrezi.Aerial view of Kilronan
Add your review or comment:
Florian Pittet wrote this review on May 20th 2022:
We took a visitor mooring in Kilronan, the closest to the shore. The low tide was announced at 0.34m above LAT in Galway. Our boat is a 2.2m /0.8m draft lifting keel. At one point we had to lift the keel because we were touching the ground. OpenCPN chart says that the depth is 1.2 m at LAT. This information must be quite right. This confirms the informations on your website.
We also spent two days in the harbour alongside with a big fishing boat. Obviously there is no port authority to rely on. No electric plug available close by. There is a water tap on the wall were the touristic horse and carriage are waiting for clients. (too far to use a hose to the boat).
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