
Spiddle is situated mid way along the northern shore of Galway Bay on the west coast of Ireland, and has a small tidal harbour with a narrow entrance which dries at low water.
It has tolerable shelter but is exposed to the south east, and some fetch can occur in winds from the east through to the south west. Access is straightforward when entering in favourable conditions.
Keyfacts for Spiddle
Last modified
July 19th 2018 Summary* Restrictions apply
A tolerable location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
this is the position at the pierhead at Spiddle.
What is the initial fix?
The following Rossaveal initial fix will set up a final approach:

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 Spiddle for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Fanore Bay - 7.4 nautical miles S
- Ballyvaughan Bay - 9.2 nautical miles SE
- Rossaveel - 9.3 nautical miles W
- Galway Docks - 9.4 nautical miles E
- Aughinish Bay - 9.7 nautical miles ESE
- Sruthan Quay - 10.1 nautical miles W
- South Bay & Rincarna Bay - 12.4 nautical miles E
- Greatman's Bay - 12.7 nautical miles W
- Kinvara Bay - 12.9 nautical miles ESE
- Caladh Mór Pier - 13 nautical miles SW
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Fanore Bay - 7.4 miles S
- Ballyvaughan Bay - 9.2 miles SE
- Rossaveel - 9.3 miles W
- Galway Docks - 9.4 miles E
- Aughinish Bay - 9.7 miles ESE
- Sruthan Quay - 10.1 miles W
- South Bay & Rincarna Bay - 12.4 miles E
- Greatman's Bay - 12.7 miles W
- Kinvara Bay - 12.9 miles ESE
- Caladh Mór Pier - 13 miles SW
How to get in?

Why visit here?
Spiddle on the eastern side of Connemara's Gaeltacht district is a vibrant friendly seaside village where the people speak both Irish and English, and it is probably best known for Colaiste Channacht to which students come from all over Ireland and the world to learn the Irish language, culture and traditions. The village name An Spideal is thought to have derived from Ospideal, meaning hospital, named after a hospital within the village during the middle ages.Spiddle is a tourist centre with a harbour and a scenic blue flag beach ideal for swimming, and other local activities including walking, golf, and sea and river fishing. The Owenboliskey River is situated on the west side of the village where it discharges into Galway Bay.
Spiddle is a haunt of artists and musicians of all kinds, and it is the place where the Irish group the Waterboys recorded half of their song Fisherman's Blues, and all of their other well known song Room to Roam. The Irish TV soap opera series Ros na Run is also filmed in Spiddle.
The village services include hotels and B & B's, several small shops including newsagents, grocers, butchers and a small department store. There is also a Post Office, a pharmacy, a bank and a petrol station in the centre of the village. There are several pubs and restaurants where on most weekend nights and sometimes during the week in the summer, traditional Irish music is played. The village is served by Bus Eireann route 424 from Galway city.
Spiddle Craft Centre is a major tourist attraction in the village where you can see crafts being made and which gives a rare opportunity to purchase unique handmade gifts directly from the skilled Artisans themselves. The centre consists of a range of workshops including candle making, leather work, pottery, screen printing, weaving, celtic jewellery, wood turning, bodhran making (Irish frame drum), and siopa Gaelige (Irish language books and DVD's etc.).
What facilities are available?
There are several small shops in Spiddle village including newsagents, grocers, butchers, a small department store, pharmacy, post office, a bank, and a petrol station in the centre of the village. There are small hotels and B & B's, and several bars and restaurants. The village is served by Bus Eireann by route 424 from Galway City.With thanks to:
inyourfootsteps.com site research.



About Spiddle
Spiddle on the eastern side of Connemara's Gaeltacht district is a vibrant friendly seaside village where the people speak both Irish and English, and it is probably best known for Colaiste Channacht to which students come from all over Ireland and the world to learn the Irish language, culture and traditions. The village name An Spideal is thought to have derived from Ospideal, meaning hospital, named after a hospital within the village during the middle ages.
Spiddle is a tourist centre with a harbour and a scenic blue flag beach ideal for swimming, and other local activities including walking, golf, and sea and river fishing. The Owenboliskey River is situated on the west side of the village where it discharges into Galway Bay.
Spiddle is a haunt of artists and musicians of all kinds, and it is the place where the Irish group the Waterboys recorded half of their song Fisherman's Blues, and all of their other well known song Room to Roam. The Irish TV soap opera series Ros na Run is also filmed in Spiddle.
The village services include hotels and B & B's, several small shops including newsagents, grocers, butchers and a small department store. There is also a Post Office, a pharmacy, a bank and a petrol station in the centre of the village. There are several pubs and restaurants where on most weekend nights and sometimes during the week in the summer, traditional Irish music is played. The village is served by Bus Eireann route 424 from Galway city.
Spiddle Craft Centre is a major tourist attraction in the village where you can see crafts being made and which gives a rare opportunity to purchase unique handmade gifts directly from the skilled Artisans themselves. The centre consists of a range of workshops including candle making, leather work, pottery, screen printing, weaving, celtic jewellery, wood turning, bodhran making (Irish frame drum), and siopa Gaelige (Irish language books and DVD's etc.).
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Rossaveel - 5.8 miles WSruthan Quay - 6.2 miles W
Greatman's Bay - 7.9 miles W
Kiggaul Bay - 9.2 miles W
Dinish & Furness Islands - 9.9 miles W
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Galway Docks - 5.8 miles ESouth Bay & Rincarna Bay - 7.7 miles E
Kinvara Bay - 8 miles ESE
Aughinish Bay - 6 miles ESE
Kilronan - 9.3 miles WSW
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