Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Kinish Harbour, more commonly known as An Cúinne, is a sheltered muddy tidal inlet in the centre of Sherkin Island the greater part of which dries and is bestrewn with rocks. At high tide, the Kinish Harbour is full of water but at low tide, it mostly dries to an extensive mudflat with only a narrow channel of water flowing at the mouth of the harbour. It has a small quay on its southwestern side.

The landlocked harbour provides good protection, complete protection for those that can take to the bottom on its shores. Deep waters, in excess of 4 metres will be found at Kinish Narrows in the harbour entrance which is constantly scoured by the rise and fall of the tide.

How to get in?

Use Ireland’s coastal overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head for seaward approaches. Kinish is entered from Roaring Water Bay through a narrow passage on the northwest side of Sherkin Island about ¾ of a mile east by northeast of Drowlaun Point. Use the Oldcourt local approach directions to the northwest side of Sherkin. Local knowledge will provide the best advice and it is essential to seek it before making an approach. Failing this reconnoitre the approaches with a tender.

From the initial fix steer 150°T towards the harbour entrance for about 500 metres. Use eyeball navigation to approach the entrance. After 500 metres the final approach is laden with rocky shoals that necessitate clear settled water and eyeball navigation that is too complex to describe. Beware of Carrogoona Rocks just east of the entrance.

The best water is to be had in Kinish Narrows just inside the narrow passage at the entrance. This narrow strait has a sand and pebbles bottom and a steep slope of boulders and bedrock on each side. Get the anchor well in as currents, attaining as much as 2kn reportedly, will be experienced here.

Land by tender on the muddy shores of the island or at the quay at high water.

Why visit here?

It is unknown how Kinish Harbour, more commonly known as the An Cúinne, got its name. An Cúinne, means 'the corner' which would perfectly describe a berth in the almost landlocked harbour. Likewise, Kinish, is most likely an anglicisation of Cill Inish, 'church of the island'. This would perfectly fit as the inlet is overlooked by the site of the original and present St Mona’s Church.




All earliest known references to churches and Christianity on Sherkin are attributed to St Mona who, according to tradition, is the patron saint of the island. Little, however, is known of St Mona and what is at best ambiguous. In the (2012) Dictionary of Irish Saints, Ó Riain, referring to Mughain (Mona), saving [she may] be the patron of Kilmoon on Sherkin Island in the Cork Parish of Tullagh, whom the genealogists attached to the same branch of the Corca Laoighdhe (Corkalee) as Liadhain, mother of Ciarán of Seirkeiran and Cape Clear Island'. This would make her more than a century older than St Ciaran which gives rise to the question of how Mughain (Mona), was Christianised so many years earlier? St Ciaran, born on Cape Clear in 352 AD, according to tradition and the Annals of Innisfallen, was the first person to preach Christianity in Ireland.




Whatever the case, all records point to it being St Mona establishing the earliest Christian Church on Sherkin Island overlooking the inlet. The current St Mona’s Church Sherkin Island was built in 1830 to replace the older ruinous building located close by. Interestingly, Sherkin's Mass Rock, which was used in penal times, also overlooks Kinish Harbour. It lies in a secluded spot, in the townland of Farranacoush, to the west surrounded by higher land to the east, north and south. The site is obscure as these places had to be in case of discovery by the authorities. Lookouts would have probably been posted in the high surrounding ground when service was observed.




During these times Kinish served as a safe anchorage to small fishing smacks. As many as thirty at a time would take refuge here during a prevalence of bad weather. The island's National School was opened on the shores of Kinish Harbour in 1891. This was originally opened as a school for boys, as the girls had their own separate primary schoolhouse, which has since been transformed into a holiday home. Secondary education for the children of Sherkin would always remain across the Bay to Baltimore.

But Kinish Harbour's busy times were in bygone years. It is now a quiet place that has more the appearance of a solitary salt-water lake. A single boat or two may be observed reclining idly on the beach and little else. At high tide, Kinish Harbour is full of water but at low tide, it is an extensive mudflat, with only a narrow channel of water remaining at the entrance. The broad inlet in the heart of the island forks the central roads that lead from the ferry landing stage at Abbey Strand. One road to the east leading to a drying pier at the north-eastern corner of the island; the other to the west out to the islands best beaches of 'The Cow' and 'Silver Strands', with their fine sands and safe bathing. Both beaches are accessible from the west side of Kinish Harbour.




The south side of Kinish Harbour has saltmarsh communities and is the only substantial strand of woodland on the island. It is the drab mudflats here that are the main interest for birds and those who like to watch them. The harbour's denizens are Redshank, Oystercatchers, Greenshank's, Little Egrets, Grey Herons, Curlew and even the odd Hooded Crows swoop into feast here when the tide goes out. Then, at low water, the exposed mud is full of clams, razor-shells, shrimps, crabs and worms upon which they feast. This makes it an ideal location for birdwatchers with a bilge keel vessel that can take to the mud.

From a boating perspective, this secluded landlocked harbour still presents a safe retreat from the storms of the Atlantic. And although mostly drying Kinish Narrows will always provide deep water. But a vessel would have to get in safely before any advancing system.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities in Kinish Harbour.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a boat in Kinish Harbour

With thanks to:

Diarmuid Minihane, Baltimore Harbour Master.