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Please note

eOceanic has been made aware of this haven. We are looking for a sailor with first-hand experience to provide their direct personal insights so that we may complete our write up. In advance of this we have posted these preliminary research notes. Do you know this location? Please contact us or click the 'Report a Mistake or Omission' button below to help share this location with the sailing community.


Tory Island, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north west coast of Ireland, is the country's most remote community. It offers several anchorages to choose from, plus the option to berth alongside the jetty at the island's small harbour.

Tory Island, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north west coast of Ireland, is the country's most remote community. It offers several anchorages to choose from, plus the option to berth alongside the jetty at the island's small harbour.

The island offers varying degrees of shelter that range from tolerable to good depending on weather conditions. Access to the tiny island is straightforward when unaffected by weather from difficult quadrants or tidal consideration.
Please note

If planning a visit to Tory Island from either Bunbeg or Magheraroarty, the 7.5 mile trip is challenging and some foreward planning is recommended.




4 comments
Keyfacts for Tory Island
Facilities
Water available via tapTop up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableSlipway availableHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPost Office in the areaBicycle hire available in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationBerth alongside a deep water pier or raft up to other vesselsVisitors moorings available, or possibly by club arrangementBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderQuick and easy access from open waterScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinitySet near a village or with a village in the immediate vicinityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Note: strong tides or currents in the area that require consideration

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Minimum depth
2 metres (6.56 feet).

Approaches
4 stars: Straightforward; when unaffected by weather from difficult quadrants or tidal consideration, no overly complex dangers.
Shelter
3 stars: Tolerable; in suitable conditions a vessel may be left unwatched and an overnight stay.



Last modified
July 10th 2021

Summary

A tolerable location with straightforward access.

Facilities
Water available via tapTop up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableSlipway availableHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the areaMarked or notable walks in the vicinity of this locationPost Office in the areaBicycle hire available in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationBerth alongside a deep water pier or raft up to other vesselsVisitors moorings available, or possibly by club arrangementBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderQuick and easy access from open waterScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinitySet near a village or with a village in the immediate vicinityHistoric, geographic or culturally significant location; or in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Note: strong tides or currents in the area that require consideration



Position and approaches
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Haven position

55° 15.782' N, 008° 13.548' W

this is the position at the pierhead at West Town on Tory Island.

What is the initial fix?

The following Tory Island initial fix will set up a final approach:
55° 12.744' N, 008° 15.222' W
in the North Atlantic Ocean midway between Tory Island and Bloody Foreland.



Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Tory Island for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Toberglassan Bay - 5.3 nautical miles SSE
  2. Tramore Bay - 8.2 nautical miles SE
  3. Inishsirrer Island - 9.5 nautical miles SSW
  4. Gola Island - 11.3 nautical miles SSW
  5. Bunbeg - 12.7 nautical miles SSW
  6. Sheep Haven - 13.9 nautical miles ESE
  7. Owey Island - 14.6 nautical miles SSW
  8. Mulroy Bay - 14.6 nautical miles ESE
  9. Cruit Bay - 15 nautical miles SSW
  10. Burtonport - 18.4 nautical miles SSW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Toberglassan Bay - 5.3 miles SSE
  2. Tramore Bay - 8.2 miles SE
  3. Inishsirrer Island - 9.5 miles SSW
  4. Gola Island - 11.3 miles SSW
  5. Bunbeg - 12.7 miles SSW
  6. Sheep Haven - 13.9 miles ESE
  7. Owey Island - 14.6 miles SSW
  8. Mulroy Bay - 14.6 miles ESE
  9. Cruit Bay - 15 miles SSW
  10. Burtonport - 18.4 miles SSW
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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Chart
Please use our integrated Navionics chart to appraise the haven and its approaches. Navionics charts feature in premier plotters from B&G, Raymarine, Magellan and are also available on tablets. Open the chart in a larger viewing area by clicking the expand to 'new tab' or the 'full screen' option.

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How to get in?
Route location The 'Erris Head to Malin Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northeast bound Route location sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southwest bound Route location sequence; western approaches may use either description.

This tiny island which is situated about 7.5 miles north northeast of Bloody Foreland, Irish : Cnoc Fola), with a population of about 150 is just 2.5 miles long and 0.75 miles wide and is bleak and desolate in appearance. The north side of the island consists of conspicuous cliffs and the land sloping southwest away from them gives it a wedge-like appearance when viewed from the northwest. The island usually appears as a low cluster of rocks but is not easily identified when in line with the high hills on the mainland. It can be reached by the two ferries which sail on a daily basis from Bunbeg (An Bun Beag) and Magheraroarty (Machaire Rabhartaigh) the journey taking about 40 minutes. Every two weeks a helicopter visits bringing a doctor to the island's health centre.

The island has two principal settlements, West Town (An Baile Thiar) on the south coast southeast of the lighthouse, and East Town (Baile Thoir) near the southeast extremity of the island. West Town has a small harbour which is enclosed to the west and south by an L shaped jetty which has about 120 metres length for alongside berthing in a depth of 2.5 metres, and has a convenient slipway adjacent to it.

It should always be borne in mind when anchoring off Tory Island that the weather in this area is particularly liable to sudden change and a boat should be prepared and ready to leave at short notice. The sandy Toberglassan Bay in Tory Sound off the sand isthmus that joins the two halves of Inishbofin about 5 miles south southeast of Tory Island affords a sheltered anchorage close at hand.

Camusmore Bay on the south side of Tory close to West Town affords a temporary anchorage in 5 to 10 metres depth, which is clear of the reefs on the west side of the bay, and is sheltered from northwest through north to east southeast.

In light winds from the west, Port Doon at the southeast end of the island affords an anchorage in depths of 5 to 7 metres, and in a calm sea a yacht can berth at a 24 metre long quay with a depth of 1.5 metres alongside.

Portnaglass on the north side of the island east of the lighthouse affords shelter in strong southerly winds. Except for a rock lying close off the west shore near the entrance and a drying ledge off the boulder strewn beach at its head, the bay is believed to be clear of dangers.

If planning a visit to Tory Island the 7.5 mile trip from either Bunbeg or Magheraroarty is challenging, however the Inishbofin group of islands shelters half of this, and the journey can be broken. As the exposed part of the passage between Tory and Inishbeg takes an hour or so, and another hour is needed for the passage between Inishbeg and Magheraroarty, it is impossible to organise slack water all the way across, but most travellers agree the reward at the end of the trip is well worth it as Tory Island is a most remarkable place.


Why visit here?
Tory Island, Irish : Oilean Toraigh or Thorai; is Ireland's most remote inhabited island where time seems to have stood still; the story telling, music, song and dance of the people of the island are vibrant expressions of a distinctive Gaelic language and culture. The people know how to enjoy life as anyone who has attended a Ceilidh there will confirm, as the music, dancing and craic can last until daybreak and everyone joins in, even the visitors, and although the main language spoken on the island is Irish, English is also used.

Tory gets its name from either the Irish for rock : tor, or the Irish for robber (pirate) : torai. The first meaning refers to the cliffs and rocks that surround the island and the second refers to the first inhabitants of Tory, and indeed all of Ireland, the Fomorians, a sea faring band of pirates said to be descendents of Noah. Their king was Balor who was known as Balor of the Evil Eye or Balor of the Mighty Blows. At the far east coast of the island on the rock stack called Tor Mor lies the ruins of a promontory fort called Balor's Fort (Dun Bhaloir).

Surviving harsh winters the islanders are resilient and independent and many of Tory's old customs survive, such as the long standing tradition of appointing an island King (Ri Thorai). The King is chosen by consensus of the islanders and this unique tradition does not exist anywhere else in Ireland. The current King is painter Patsy Dan Rodgers who has no formal powers though duties include being a spokesperson for the island community and welcoming people to the island as they arrive on the ferries.

The Tau Cross (An Chros Tau) is probably one of the most recognisable images of Tory. The cross made of one piece of slate 2 metres high and 1 metre wide stands beside the pier and dates from the 6th century or perhaps earlier. The cross is of great importance to the people of the island and many fishermen still pray at it before setting off to sea. The Tau Cross on Tory is the only one in Ireland still in its original position, and its origin is somewhat confusing with many theories. The first mention of Tau is to be found in the Old Testament in Ezekiel “Go through the city of Jerusalem and put a Tau on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done”. The Tau is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is almost identical to the letter T. The Tau Cross is also used in a symbol of the arm of Jesus crossed over the arm of St. Francis each with a hand outstretched and showing the mark of the crucifixion.
The views on and from Tory are amazing, gazing over the cliffs into the churning Atlantic crashing off the jagged rocks many feet below is truly breathtaking, or walking along Tory's only road with views of almost moonscape granite strewn land to the east of the island leading to the cliff edges, and then to the west of the island with its distinctive lighthouse. Tory Island lighthouse is situated at the far west end tip of Tory and is one of 11 Donegal lighthouses. It was designed by George Helpin and building on it commenced in 1828 and was completed in 1832 when the light was established. It is one of 3 lighthouses in Ireland in which a Differential Global Positioning System is installed.

Facilities on the island are mostly situated at either West Town or East Town, and they include fresh water, petrol and diesel fuel available by jerry can, 2 provisions shops, post office, hotel and hostel, pub and bars, a restaurant and a cafe, and a cycle hire shop. A local bus provides a tour of the island which doesn't take long as the island has only one road.


What facilities are available?
Facilities on the island are somewhat limited and what is available is centred around the main settlement of West Town where there is a hotel and a hostel, fresh water available, petrol and diesel available by jerry can, a pub and a bar, a restaurant and a cafe, a post office, and a cycle hire shop.


With thanks to:
inyourfootsteps.com site research. Photography with thanks to Colin Park, David Baird, Joseph Mischyshyn, Kay Atherton and Kenneth Allen.





























The following videos may be useful to help first time visitors familiarise themselves with Tory Island.


The following videos present a photo montage of views of the Island.







A photograph is worth a thousand words. We are always looking for bright sunny photographs that show this haven and its identifiable features at its best. If you have some images that we could use please upload them here. All we need to know is how you would like to be credited for your work and a brief description of the image if it is not readily apparent. If you would like us to add a hyperlink from the image that goes back to your site please include the desired link and we will be delighted to that for you.


Add your review or comment:


Paul Harrison wrote this review on Sep 14th 2015:

Water tap on harbour wall.

Average Rating: Unrated


Charlie Kavanagh wrote this review on Jul 19th 2017:

The harbour in West Town is sheltered in all weathers and if space is available to tie alongside or raft up to other vessels it is a comfortable location to overnight for a visit to this beautiful remote island 11 miles north of the Donegal coast. Care should be taken not to block the ferry berth on the west pier near the steps and crane. Bird life abounds on the island and in particular, the very rare corncrake can be heard in the meadows adjacent to West Town. A circular ramble out to the Lighthouse opens fabulous views of the island and back to the hills of Donegal. The King of Tory, Patsy Dan Rogers is also likely to bid you a warm Cead Mile Failte to his kingdom and if you have a mind to, you can even purchase some of his art.

Average Rating: Unrated


Iain Miller wrote this review on Dec 4th 2017:

Tory Island is a virtually undiscovered rock climbers paradise with the north coast of the island being one continuous granite sea cliff. Click an download the free guidebook at

http://uniqueascent.ie/tory_island

Average Rating: Unrated


Michael Harpur wrote this review on May 22nd 2018:

Thank you for commenting.
Firstly, my apology. We have to date only been only able to place reference notes for the northwest corner of Ireland. We do intend to fully write up the northwest coast, but we recognise that this will take a concerted effort to do correctly and we have not been able to apportion the time for that campaign yet.
When we do, comments like yours will be invaluable and, in the meantime, for those cruising the coast in advance of that write up. So please keep commenting they are enormously helpful. Thank you for your patience.

Average Rating: Unrated

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Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site. Free to use sea charts courtesy of Navionics.