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What's the story here?

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.




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?

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.



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.





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.




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.




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.




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.




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.




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.




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.



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.




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.




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'.



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.




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.




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.




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.

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.