Located in the centre of Roaringwater Bay, Heir Island is immediately northwest of Sherkin Island and southwest of the mainland. The smallest of the three inhabited islands in the bay area, this is a secluded anchorage close to its popular east-facing and shoreward facing beach.

Set behind islands and the mainland, with rocky shoals breaking any seaway, the anchorage offers good protection from all but very strong southerly winds. Approaches to the general area, from the north end of Baltimore Harbour or directly from Long Island Bay, are unmarked, intricate and challenging. All of this requires careful navigation in settled conditions with good visibility.

Keyfacts for Trá Bán

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 29.762' N, 009° 25.473' W

This is off the beach where vessels normally anchor

What is the initial fix?

This is set on the clearing line of bearing 230°T of Clare Island's Doonanore Castle ruins open east of Illauneana, as best seen on Admiralty 2129.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Heir Island, also known as Hare Island or Inis Uí Drisceoil, is the third largest of the archipelago of islands in Roaringwater Bay and the fourth-largest of Carbery's Hundred Isles, after Sherkin Island, Clear Island and Long Island. Trá Bán is a sandy stretch that faces the entrance to the River Ilen.




Best depths are off the northeastern shoreline where 2 metres LAT can be found about 150 metres out.

How to get in?

Offshore details are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head . Seaward approaches and run up The Sound, from Baltimore Harbour, are covered in the Oldcourt River Ilen description as the anchorage lies off of its approach path.




When abreast of Two Woman’s Rock prepare to break off this track but steer northwest to clear a shallow area with 1.5 metres over it that extends about 400 metres from Two Woman’s Rock. Once clear of this shallow area turn towards the headland that extends to the northeast of the beach and start to sound in. Do not steer to the centre of the beach as there are multiple rocks awash close south of a west bearing line off of the north face of a rock that is always dry and situated off of the beach.




Anchor according to draft in mud and sand that offers excellent holding. Best water will be found keeping about 150 metres off the northeastern shoreline.

Land on the beach in the middle of the island or at the East Pier.

Why visit here?

Trá Bán, means 'white beach' in Irish and it perfectly describes the fine sandy beach lapped by idyllic waters.

One of several Heir island beaches it is by some margin its best beach sheltered from the prevailing westerly wind. The beach is well used as an anchorage and landing point for leisure craft during the summer months. It is one of Heir Island's many wildlife preserves - see Heir Island (East Pier) for island information.

What facilities are available?

The island has two piers, and a shop whose location is in the main hamlet on the west side of the island, where fresh bread which is made on the island is available. Although the small island does not have a pub, it has holiday rentals, an art gallery, a sailing school, an outdoor activities camp, a permanent restaurant and an occasional restaurant located in the Sailing School. The permanent island restaurant is reputed to be very good and is by prior reservation only.

Heir Island is accessible by boat all year round by ferry. The main way to get to the island is via the island ferry that departs from Cunnamore point to the island's main pier 6 times a day, every 2 hours, from 8am to 6pm during the summer. Another ferry services Heir and Sherkin islands from Baltimore & Cunnamore throughout the Summer months of July and August.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a boat anchored off Heir Island.

With thanks to:

Diarmuid Minihane, Baltimore Harbour Master.