Frenchport, or Portnafrankagh, is a little creek on the north side of Anuagh head, about 2 miles to the south-west of Eagle island, in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. It affords an anchorage in moderate weather but is quite exposed to the Atlantic swell and difficult to enter in heavy weather.

The anchorage is on the north side of the creek providing tolerable shelter with straightforward access in all but westerly winds.

Keyfacts for Frenchport (Portnafrankagh)

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 14.433' N, 010° 4.888' W

this is the position at the pierhead on the south shore

What is the initial fix?

this is set in the Atlantic Ocean at a point midway between Annagh Head and Port Point

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How to get in?

The 'Slyne Head to Erris Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southbound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Why visit here?

Frenchport, or Portnafrankagh as it is more commonly known, is a quiet and peaceful location. It provides tolerably safe shelter with straightforward access, though often in some discomfort due to the roll coming from the direction of the entrance, and is subject to swell irrespective of the direction of the wind.

There are no facilities in this inlet, although there is a newish pier on the south shore that has a small slip on its southeasten side where it is possible for a dinghy to land at neap tides but which dries at spring tides.

Although normally quiet and peaceful the Mullet Peninsula becomes busier in the summer with tourists enjoying the beautiful beaches which stretch for miles, anglers and fishermen trying their luck, and walkers exploring the sandy barrenness of the area.

The Mullet Peninsula, also known as The Mullet, is a peninsula in the barony of Erris in Co. Mayo and consists of a large promontory connected to the mainland at Belmullet by a narrow isthmus. It is about 33kms long and 12kms wide at its widest parts and about 50 metres wide at its narrowest. Its northernmost point is Erris Head and the peninsula's doglegged shape forms two bays Blacksod Bay and Broadhaven Bay. The Mullet is part of the Mayo Gaeltacht, Irish speaking district, where Irish is the most common language in the rural areas, while English is also commonly spoken in Belmullet.

In the nortwest of the Mullet peninsula a site for testing full scale ocean wave power devices has been selected between Frenchport Pier, Annagh Head and Cross. The wave energy potential in the Atlantic Ocean between North Mayo and West Donegal is one of the best in the world for the development of this exciting new renewable energy technology.

Although the inlet has no facilities, supplies can be obtained from Belmullet which is four miles away, and there is a small shop and a pub at the village of Corclogh which is two miles inland. As an alternative to landing at the pier, it is also possible to land on the Cats Tail, a shingle reef at the head of the bay.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Frenchport except for a slip, but limited provisions are available at the nearest village Corclogh which also has a pub; other supplies are available at Belmullet including a local bus service Bus Eireann route 446.

With thanks to:

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