Kilkieran Bay is an eight mile long inlet off the northern approaches to Galway Bay situated to the west of Lettermullen and Gorumna Islands, and approximately 32 miles to the west of Galway itself, on the west coast of Ireland. It provides an anchorage with some seasonal moorings for visitors off a small fishing village and pier set in rural surroundings. The bay affords many other anchorages including one in Ardmore Bay off the pier with the possibility of a dinghy landing at the quay.

The deep narrow bay offers good protection in all conditions except for strong south westerlies. Access is straightforward at all stages of the tide and in most conditions. However the approach is encumbered with several rocky patches that require attentive navigation in daylight.

There are fish farms in the vicinity.

Keyfacts for Kilkieran Bay

Position and approaches

Haven position

53° 19.320' N, 009° 43.906' W

this is the position at the pierhead at Kilkieran

What is the initial fix?

this is the position in the North Sound approach to Galway Bay, midway between Dinish Island and Birmore Island

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Kilkieran Bay is an extensive inlet that opens between Dinish and Birmore islands, and is about two miles to the north of the highly conspicuous Golam Head that provides an excellent sea mark.

How to get in?

Use Ireland’s coastal overview for Loop Head to Slyne Head for seaward approaches. The bay penetrates inland in a north-easterly direction for a distance of eight miles, with high tide passes extending in a more easterly direction to Upper Camus Bay and the adjoining lakes. The channel leading to it is encumbered with several rocky patches lying near the fairway that has excellent depths of between 11 to 16 metres.

The upper part of these waters is generally shallow and studded with dangers, but most of the dangers are above water and can be easily identified. The lower part of the inlet, abreast of Kilkieran cove affords a good anchorage, with mooring buoys indicated on the chart, with very good depths.

Twelve visitor moorings have been laid at the anchorage between Kilkieran Cove to the east of the village and the Kinnelly Islands, which offer good shelter but are uneasy berths in strong winds from the southeast to the northeast. A visitor [2022] reported that the mooring they picked had less than 2 metres depth at low tide.

The well-built pier at the southern end of the village dries, but there is about 2 metres depth at low water springs for a landing at the quay. A short walk up to the village from the quay leads to a hospitable pub and a small supermarket shop.

It is also possible to spend a night at the anchor at 53° 21.6039' N 009° 41.4043' W where is a little pier and a slipway to land.

Why visit here?

The village of Kilkieran derives its name from the Irish words 'Cill Chiaráin' which means 'Ciaran's Church'.

Saint Ciarán, also known as Ciarán of Saigir (5th century – c. 530), also known as Ciarán mac Luaigne or Saint Kieran, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland and is considered the first saint to have been born in Ireland. He lived in the village for many years and today there is a national school, a church and a holy well named after him. Also on the hill overlooking the whole of Kilkieran there is a cross erected in his honour and in front of a place called Leaba Chiaráin, or Ciaran's bed.

There are two regattas held annually in Kilkieran. A traditional Sailboat regatta that includes Galway Hookers is held on the first weekend in July and a rowing regatta featuring currachs on the 9th of September as part of a local festival titled Ciaráns Day.

From a boating point of view, this is another useful bay along this coast. The navigation is quite demanding over there and there is no room for mistakes. But it rewards a visitor as it's a nice place to visit, with nice views over the Connemara mountains.

What facilities are available?

Kilkieran village has a pub, a restaurant at the top of the pier called Coyne’s Bar and Bistro has been recommended as being one of the most refined pubs in Ireland with superb food served by very kind and children friendly staff. THere is also a small supermarket shop, a post office, and a slip.

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