Located on Ireland’s southwest coast, the tiny Coney Island is situated at the head of Long Island Bay, north of Long Island and between it and the mainland. It offers an anchorage off a secluded island in Long Island Channel.

Set within an enclosed channel the anchorage offers good protection from all but very strong easterly or south-easterly winds. Approaches to the general area are straightforward at any stage of the tide and the approach to the channel's eastern entrance is lit.

Keyfacts for Coney Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 30.125' N, 009° 34.097' W

Just east of the island in about 3 metres of water.

What is the initial fix?

This is 300 metres west of the Amelia Rock Marker and on the harbour’s 346° T in-line leading through the entrance. The anchoring area in Schull Harbour is a mile and a half from here.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Coney Island is a small squarish island, about 250 metres broad, situated in Long Island Channel. The island lies on the east side of the mouth of Croagh Bay, rises to only 11.9 metres high and it is shoal northward of the island to the mainland. It is a privately owned island with a holiday home nestled just west of its centre. The island presents landing beaches to the northeast, southeast and western sides which in the case of the latter has a small pier that encloses the tiny beach.




The best anchorage is to be found to the northeast of Coney Island where 3 metres of water will be found.

How to get in?

Offshore details are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview of Cork Harbour to Mizen Head for seaward approaches. Vessels approaching from the south may use the Schull Harbour general approach directions and initial fix. This is the principal approach, the safest and is lit.




These directions should be used in conjunction with the Long Island entry as the anchorage is situated less than a ½ mile west by northwest from Long Island pier.




The Long Island entry also provides additional directions for vessels intending to enter Long Island Channel's western end from the southwest via Goat Island Sound or Man of War Sound.




Vessels taking this western approach should be careful not to cut the southern corner of the island as a foul drying area extends 80 metres to the south of Coney Island. Do not pass from Croagh Bay around the north side of the island, between it and the mainland, as it is very shallow with a large part of it drying from the island side at low water.




Anchor according to draft to the east of the island where excellent mud holding is to be had. Land by dinghy on the islet’s northeast beach or at the small western pier where an enclosed beach will be found.

A well-worn path leads up from the pier to the islands only house that is privately owned and let out for holidays.

Why visit here?

The name 'Coney' is used in several places around Ireland. One would think that the name refers to a past glade of fir trees that were on the island but the name is simply an anglicisation of the Irish word coinín or 'cunneen' meaning a rabbit. So the name points to its heritage of rabbit warrens that would have survived better offshore where they were less likely to be subject to preditors.

The very small Coney Island is a privately owned island. It has a single holiday home is set west of the middle of the island where visitors can enjoy its three tiny beaches. Outside of this, the island is wide and ungrazed.

From a boating perspective, Coney Island offers complete rural seclusion in beautiful Cork scenery. The Fastnet Rock lighthouse is in full view from here, yet a vessel is well protected from the open Atlantic Ocean and is very close to Schull Harbour. It is one of the many anchorages that lie in and around Long Island Channel and would, along with Croagh Bay, be the preferred Long Island Channel option in strong westerlies.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at this remote anchorage.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to vessel anchored in Long Island Channel.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.