Killary Bay lies on the west coast of Ireland, halfway between Aughrus Point and Roonah Head. It is a deeply indented fissure that is eight miles long and has numerous mussel farming lines throughout the bay.
Killary Harbour offers good protection in all but westerly conditions. Access is straightforward with a buoyed, lit channel leading up a deep fjord-like inlet. First-time visitors should nevertheless approach Killary Harbour with caution, particularly at night or in heavy weather.
Keyfacts for Killary Harbour
Summary
A good location with straightforward access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
53° 35.867' N, 009° 41.752' WThis is the position at the head of the bay approach to Leenaun
What is the initial fix?
What are the key points of the approach?
- Bring the beacons on Doonee Islet and Inishbarna into alignment 099°T.
- Enter between Inishbarna and the north shore and proceed up the deep inlet.
Not what you need?
- Little Killary Bay (Salrock) - 5.5 nautical miles W
- Ballynakill Harbour - 10.3 nautical miles W
- Fahy Bay - 11.5 nautical miles WSW
- Bertraghboy Bay - 11.9 nautical miles SSW
- Westport - 13.3 nautical miles NNE
- Clifden - 13.7 nautical miles WSW
- Rosmoney (Collan More Harbour) - 14.1 nautical miles N
- Roundstone Bay - 14.4 nautical miles SSW
- Clifden Boat Club - 14.5 nautical miles WSW
- Cleggan Bay - 14.9 nautical miles W
- Little Killary Bay (Salrock) - 5.5 miles W
- Ballynakill Harbour - 10.3 miles W
- Fahy Bay - 11.5 miles WSW
- Bertraghboy Bay - 11.9 miles SSW
- Westport - 13.3 miles NNE
- Clifden - 13.7 miles WSW
- Rosmoney (Collan More Harbour) - 14.1 miles N
- Roundstone Bay - 14.4 miles SSW
- Clifden Boat Club - 14.5 miles WSW
- Cleggan Bay - 14.9 miles W
What's the story here?
Image: Matt Dean via CC BY 2.0
Killary Harbour is a narrow deep Atlantic Ocean inlet that forms the border of Counties Galway and Mayo. For nearly half its length, it runs southeastward from the Atlantic, and then it turns and runs directly east. During its course, it varies in width from 200 to 800 metres in width and is 8½ miles long and deep to within 1 mile of the head of the bay. Its entire length is flanked by high mountains which descend in rugged precipices down to the shore. With its magnificent dramatic scenery, it has been likened to a miniature fjord though a good deal shallower.
Image: © PETER CRAVEN
The inlet provides several sheltered anchoring locations along its length for all classes of vessels with leisure craft usually needing to pass about 3 miles up the inlet for it to provide shallow enough water to drop anchor. However, in unsettled weather, any westerly winds funnel up the inlet which can make for uncomfortable berthing at the usual anchorages.
How to get in?
Image: James Stringer via CC BY-SA 2.0
Use western Ireland’s coastal overview from Slyne Head to Erris Head for approaches. From seaward the surrounding landscape has several mountains, Mweelrea situated about 2 miles east by northeast of the entrance, being the highest, most prominent and making for a spectacular backdrop.
Image: Herr Olsen via CC BY 2.0
Mweelrea at 814 metres it is the 26th-highest peak in Ireland and upon its first sight gives the impression of being much higher than it is in reality, from it rising so dramatically from the sea coast. It readily identifies the entrance for several miles in all directions.
Image: Andreas F. Borchert via CC BY-SA 2.0
The western approach to Killary Harbour lies between Inishbofin and Inishturk and is easily identified. Proceeding through the centre of the fairway between the islands has no dangers until the meridian of Inishdalla has been passed. The principal hazard that then borders the approach to the initial fix is the isolated Pollock Shoal that lies 6 miles west by northwest of the entrance to Killary Harbour and has 3.7 metres of water over it. Pollock Shoal breaks and, as such, should not present a surprise. Keeping Mweelrea between the bearings of 095° and 100°T will pass to the south of Pollock Shoal. Likewise, Inishturk tower in a line with the west end of Inishdalla, astern, also passes to the southwest of Pollock.
Image: Tourism Ireland
From the initial fix bring the beacons on Doonee Islet and Inishbarna into alignment 099°T. Both islets lay off the peninsula of Rossroe, that separates Killary Harbour from Little Killary Bay to the south. The alignment leads between O'Mally Breaker and Carrickgaddy Rocks and then, south of Inishdegil More and northward of Thanymore shoal that has 8.8 metres over it. During heavy weather, most of the dangers break.
Image: © PETER CRAVEN
When the eastern extremity of Inishdegil More bears about north (000°T) the course should be altered to pass through the northwest-facing entrance channel between Doonee and Inishbarna islets to the south and Dooneen islet to the north. A lit port Blackrock marker buoy, Fl.R.6s, flanks the north side of the channel ¼ of a mile west of the Dooneen islet. This marks the Black Rocks that lie off the north point of entrance and being 1 metre high are always above water.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Within the entrance, between Inishbarna and the north shore, which is little more than 300 metres wide, a depth of 24 metres will be found. The shores are steep-to and fringed by a very narrow margin of about 100 metres of rock and stone that shows at low water. 2 miles within, about south of the Summit of Lugaloughan, the depth decreases to 15 metres, from hence the average depth is about 10 metres, on a muddy bottom.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Throughout this entire length, a perfectly clear channel presents itself that is marked by lighted beacons at various intervals until the head of the inlet is approached. However, a sharp eye should be maintained throughout for inlet's extensive fish farms. The harbour has many mussel cages that principally lie off the southern side of the harbour.
Image: unukorno via CC BY 2.0
These are marked on the fairway side by lit yellow special mark buoys and beacons mounted on the rafts, Fl.Y.5s. Positions of the farms are only approximately charted and are often moved without notice and there is the occasional unmarked mussel raft on the north side, so vigilance is essential.
Image: Google
The most popular anchorages, in order, are off Gubbadanbo, on the south shore ⅔ of a mike within the entrance. It has a small quay which dries.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Off Dernasliggaun's Killary Lodge, an Adventure Centre, that may be accessed through an opening in the mussel rafts. Anchor in 2 to 4 metres and land, with prior permission at the Adventure Centre's private slip.
Image: Google
Off Bundorragha on the northern shore about 5 miles within the inlet where there is a small quay at the village. Anchor south of the beacon in 5 to 7 metres. Swinging space is limited for long vessels but ample room is available further out in settled conditions.
Image: Tourism Ireland
At Leenaun where there are 8 seasonal visitors moorings which lie off an old stone quay that dries, and there is a slip at the side of the quay suitable for a dinghy landing.
Why visit here?
Killary Harbour, from the Irish An Caolaire Rua which stems from caol(sh)áile, a compound of caol, meaning 'narrow inlet' and sáile meaning sea (water)’, which developed to caoláire that was anglasised to 'Killary'.Image: Andreas Riemenschneider via CC BYSA 2.0
Set at the heart of Connemara Killary Harbour is a wonderful fjord, which has scarcely has any parallel in the British Isles, it more resembles the coastal scenery in Norway. It is best known as Ireland's only glacial fjord, though some also include Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough in that description. The long narrow inlet runs inland to the very heart of the mountains for a distance of almost 10 miles. On each side, steep and precipitous mountains descend to the water‘s edge that varies in colour depending on where the sun hits.
Atlantic Ocean
Image: Tourism Ireland
The mountain scenery on its northern shore is it's absolute finest and is much greater than the southern side, which is in places merely hilly. It is at its most impressive at the entrance where the enormous walls of Mweelrea fall steeply into the inlet. Connacht's highest, rising to 814 metres (2,670 ft), Mweelrea takes its name from the Irish Cnoc Maol Réidh, 'bald hill with the smooth top' that aptly describes the Giant of the West. But not far away to the south behind its hills high mountains again present themselves in the form of the Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Once inside and away from the Atlantic swell the excessive stillness of the land-locked water, in which the shadows of the hills are so clearly reflected, make for a stark contrast from the preceding Atlantic Ocean. Ringed by mountains, the scenery is spectacular, awe-inspiring and dramatic, and feels all the more peaceful when visited from seaward. The fjord is often visited by dolphins so if you are lucky you may not be the only mariner entering the haven.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Killary is now a centre for aquaculture well known for producing some of Ireland’s most delicious mussels. These shellfish are celebrated at the Connemara Mussel Festival in Tullycross. From a boating perspective, if its stunning scenery that attracts you then Killary Harbour is a location not to miss on this coast. Its good shelter also makes a wonderful place to drop into.
Image: Tourism Ireland
What facilities are available?
There are two minor settlements within the harbour, on the southern side near the mouth of the fjord lies the hamlet of Rosroe, whilst the larger village of Leenaun lies at the head of the inlet. Facilities are limited though Leenaun does have water, petrol, a small shop, Post Office, Pubs and restaurants and a hotel.With thanks to:
PETER CRAVEN & eOceanic.Views of the fjord from a boat tour
About Killary Harbour
Killary Harbour, from the Irish An Caolaire Rua which stems from caol(sh)áile, a compound of caol, meaning 'narrow inlet' and sáile meaning sea (water)’, which developed to caoláire that was anglasised to 'Killary'.
Image: Andreas Riemenschneider via CC BYSA 2.0
Set at the heart of Connemara Killary Harbour is a wonderful fjord, which has scarcely has any parallel in the British Isles, it more resembles the coastal scenery in Norway. It is best known as Ireland's only glacial fjord, though some also include Lough Swilly and Carlingford Lough in that description. The long narrow inlet runs inland to the very heart of the mountains for a distance of almost 10 miles. On each side, steep and precipitous mountains descend to the water‘s edge that varies in colour depending on where the sun hits.
Atlantic Ocean
Image: Tourism Ireland
The mountain scenery on its northern shore is it's absolute finest and is much greater than the southern side, which is in places merely hilly. It is at its most impressive at the entrance where the enormous walls of Mweelrea fall steeply into the inlet. Connacht's highest, rising to 814 metres (2,670 ft), Mweelrea takes its name from the Irish Cnoc Maol Réidh, 'bald hill with the smooth top' that aptly describes the Giant of the West. But not far away to the south behind its hills high mountains again present themselves in the form of the Maumturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Once inside and away from the Atlantic swell the excessive stillness of the land-locked water, in which the shadows of the hills are so clearly reflected, make for a stark contrast from the preceding Atlantic Ocean. Ringed by mountains, the scenery is spectacular, awe-inspiring and dramatic, and feels all the more peaceful when visited from seaward. The fjord is often visited by dolphins so if you are lucky you may not be the only mariner entering the haven.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Killary is now a centre for aquaculture well known for producing some of Ireland’s most delicious mussels. These shellfish are celebrated at the Connemara Mussel Festival in Tullycross. From a boating perspective, if its stunning scenery that attracts you then Killary Harbour is a location not to miss on this coast. Its good shelter also makes a wonderful place to drop into.
Image: Tourism Ireland
Other options in this area
Clare Island - 9.4 miles NW
Rosmoney (Collan More Harbour) - 8.7 miles N
Westport - 8.2 miles NNE
Rabbit Island - 10.7 miles NNE
Ballynakill Harbour - 6.4 miles W
Fahy Bay - 7.1 miles WSW
Bofin Harbour - 11.4 miles W
Cleggan Bay - 9.3 miles W
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Killary Harbour.
Detail view | Off |
Picture view | On |
Views of the fjord from a boat tour
Add your review or comment:
Mark Ashley-Miller wrote this review on Jul 19th 2023:
8 good visitor moorings with good depth just west of Leenaun pier. 53' 35.900 9' 42.694. Look well maintained. Mark 19 July 2023
Average Rating: UnratedPeter Olden wrote this review on Jul 20th 2022:
Given there are 8 visitor mooring available I was surprised that there is no water available at the nice stone pier near Leenaun - it looks like there was at some point. Also there was no place to leave rubbish even for a fee. The addition of these two facilities would be very useful. On a positive if you have a decent tender (subject to reasonable winds) you can head up towards the mouth of the Erriff River and land on a slipway there for a short walk to the famous Ashleigh Falls (bring anchor or a long rope as there is no place to tie up the dingy) there is also a lovely walk on the left bank of the river Erriff while heading upstream. You can also tie up to a nice pier where the Bundorragha River meets the sea, here you can take a lovely walk up the beautiful Delphi Valley - Delphi Lodge (NB Lodge as opposed to Resort) is also open for Lunch these days and selling Smoked Salmon and you have the stunning Fin Lough and Doo Lough either side of it. On your way back if you get chatting to the mussel farmers you may be able to procure some beautiful mussels - 3 year old vintage highly recommended.
Average Rating:PETER CRAVEN wrote this review on Feb 9th 2020:
You can have a nice hot seaweed bath just outside Leenaun.
Pubs and restaurants in Leenaun.
Easy tender landing in protection of pier to west of marker.
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