What's the story here?

Glenbrook is the best anchorage in West Passage, the narrow reach of the River Lee west of Great Island that continues through Lough Mahon and eventually to Cork City.

How to get in?

The run up the Lower Harbour to Passage West is best described in the Cork City Marina entry.

The West Passage is entered between the large shipbuilding yard at Rushbrook on Great Island and Monkstown on the opposite western shore, and the anchorage off Glenbrook is about ¾ of a mile above Monkstown. Keep clear of the busy cross-river car and passenger ferry operates from just south of Glenbrook on the west shore to Carrigaloe to the north of Rushbrook on Great Island.

Between Monkstown and the shipyard there are three separate overhead power cables, but with ample clearance.

Anchor in line with or very close outside the moored craft in a depth of about 3.0 metres keeping well clear of the main shipping channel, and it is essential to have a riding light showing at all times.

About ¾ of a mile upriver at Passage West there is a 20-metre long secure pontoon where a landing or temporary berth may be carried out. The pontoon has a depth alongside of 5.8 metres LAT and has a security gate.

Why visit here?

Monkstown, Glenbrook, in Irish Gleann an Fheileastraim, and Passage West are three close-knit villages side by side along the regional R610 route that runs from south Cork City along the western shores of Cork Harbour to Ringaskiddy. It is hard to distinguish where Passage West ends and Glenbrook starts as they are joined together and there is no obvious border between the two, and Monkstown is a short distance further south. The towns are 19kms south of Cork City and only 6 km from the south Cork City suburbs.

Passage West, Glenbrook and Monkstown are great mooring areas and are very popular during the summer season. Monkstown Bay itself is a pleasant and safe sailing area, while being within easy reach of the marinas and restaurants at East Ferry and Crosshaven, and the open waters of Lower Cork Harbour. In suitable wind conditions, excellent sailing is to be had past Glenbrook and up towards Cork City.

There are launching facilities at Monkstown, and Glenbrook had one public slipway whilst Passage West has two slipways with pedestrian access only. There is a further excellent slipway at Ferrypoint, hidden opposite the Ferry Arms. The area has one sailing club, Monkstown Bay Sailing Club in addition to two rowing clubs. Moorings in Cork Harbour are administered by the Port of Cork. At present the area does not have visitor moorings but one of the better anchorages for visiting yachts is Glenbrook with good holding in mud.

The cross river car and passenger ferry from Glenbrook to Carrigloe takes about 4 minutes and the two ferry's can each carry 200 passengers and 27 cars, and the ferry provides easy access to Great Island and East Cork. It is only a 10 minute drive to the ferry terminal at Ringaskiddy, from where boats depart regularly for France. A regular bus service of Bus Eireann links Passage West, Glenbrook, and Monkstown to Cork City, whilst the train from Cobh to Cork City stops at Carrigloe on the other side of the West Passage channel, which means that the big city is easily accessible.

Monkstown is well known for its excellent golf course, deep sea fishing, sailing club, restaurants and pubs, whilst Passage West is an old maritime town where a visitor will sense the importance that this town assumed in times past. It is from here that Captain Roberts set out and crossed the Atlantic in the first passenger steamship “The Sirius”. A plaque along with a piece of the ship proudly commemorates this journey next to the cross-river ferry terminal at Glenbrook.

Glenbrook was originally a seaside resort and is most famous for the Turkish bath-houses and Hydro that were established there. The first baths in Glenbrook intended for use by the public were opened in 1838 and were known as the Royal Victoria Monkstown and Passage baths. When first built they comprised slipper baths, showers, and a cold plunge pool, all of which were luxuriously fitted out. It was not long before these facilities were augmented by the addition of accommodation and food. Gardens were added and a variety of outdoor activities were organised to attract and entertain visitors who lived in villages close by. But the Royal Victoria Baths were not long to remain the only bathing facilities at Glenbrook.

In 1852 Dr Timothy Curtin the well respected hydropathic and homoeopathic doctor purchased Carrigmahon House together with 13 acres of wooded and landscaped gardens with the intention of opening a hydropathic establishment close to the Royal Victoria Baths at Glenbrook. St, Ann's Hill located within a few miles of Cork city was Ireland's first hydropathic establishment and it is possible that Curtin had been part of the staff there. After lengthy problems with the heating system for the Turkish baths, the Royal Victoria Baths closed round about 1870, and the Hydro closed shortly after in 1876 following Curtins death. The old railway line, once used for ferrying visitors to the summer resort town and the Turkish baths is now a pleasant walk offering scenic vistas of Cork Harbour.

What facilities are available?

A short distance north of the ferry slipway at Glenbrook is a public slip which is accessible at high water, and from there a 10-minute walk takes the visitor to the shops and facilities at Glenbrook and

Passage West; the former has small local shops and the latter more extensive shops and services including supermarkets, 2 Allied Irish Banks, Post Office, 5 Doctors, a Pharmacy and a Public Health Centre tele:021 4841628. There is a choice of bars, bistros and restaurants at both locations, and the local Bus Eireann service passes through Passage West, Glenbrook and Monkstown. Marine engine repairs are available at Passage West, and Marine electronics at Glenbrook, but the nearest chandlery is at Cork. There is a signposted scenic walk along the path of the old railway line that affords excellent views of Cork Inner Harbour, for which trail maps are available. Passage West Gardai (police) Station is situated at Ferryport which serves, Passage West, Glenbrook and Monkstown tele:4841001.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at this location.

With thanks to:

eOceanic research.