Dooneen Pier is situated in Co. Cork on the southwest coast of Ireland, five miles within and on the north shore of the Dunmanus Bay inlet. It provides an anchorage off a sturdy pier with a small village close inland.

The small rocky cove provides an exposed anchorage that can only be utilised with northerly component conditions. Daylight access is straightforward at any stage of the tide.

The anchoring area off Dooneen pier is steep-to and an anchor watch would be advisable here. A good weather window would be required to visit any of Dunmanus Bay’s havens if a vessel is time restricted. If the prevailing winds were to come on strong, though good shelter may be found further up the inlet, it would be difficult however to sail out of the bay.

Keyfacts for Dooneen Pier

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 33.848' N, 009° 43.690' W

This is about 200 metres east of the pier head and about the same distance from the rock with a bollard set on it situated close south east of the pier.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Dooneen Pier initial fix

51° 33.648' N, 009° 43.400' W

This initial lies about 300 metres east of Dooneen Point. Tracking 400 metres to the northeast from here leads to the anchoring area off the pier.

(ii) Dunmanus Bay initial fix

51° 30.700' N, 009° 51.200' W

This initial fix positions an Atlantic approach to Dunmanus Bay and is set midway between Sheep's Head and Mizen Head.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Details for the run up the long and narrow Dunmanus Bay are covered in the Dunbeacon Harbour entry.


The substantial old steamer pier, marked as Illaunglass on charts, will be more than visible from the initial fix. Situated to the north of Dooneen Point and on the eastern facing side of the headland, it is readily apparent. There are no outlying dangers offshore and the pier may be approached directly. The seabed here is steep and expect depths to rapidly decrease as the pier is approached.

Anchor about 50 metres off the pierhead where 5 metres can be found, making certain the anchor is well set.




The old stone pier's rough wall makes it unsuitable to come alongside. Vessels with a fender board should explore the pier well in advance. Best landings can be had by the dinghy at the steps. The more adventurous could also explore mooring 'bow and stern' off the old steamer turning bollard set on the little rocky outcrop to the southwest of the pier - laying between the pier and Carrignacappul. A road leads up from the pier to the peninsula above.

Why visit here?

Dooneen, in Irish An Dúinín meaning the “The Little Mound” or “Little Fort” indicating the area was once defended.

Today there is very little here apart from the old steamer pier with its unusual turning bollard standing on a nearby rock to the south. In settled conditions, Dooneen provides a good landing point to set down a shore party to explore the outer end of the Sheep’s Head Way.

For those with an older family aboard the area surrounding the pier could provide plenty in the way of safe exploration. Well protected from the prevailing winds, its craggy cliffs, coves, outcrops, inlets and high and low water caves, offer hours of dinghy or canoe exploration. One notable narrow cleft situated about 25 metres south of the pier runs back 50 metres into the cliff and is never narrower than a metre wide.

From a purely sailing point of view Dooneen offers a good lunch stop location, or in settled conditions, a night’s stop could be possible.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at this remote location. There is no slip at the pier.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Dooneen Pier.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Photography with thanks to Burke Corbett.

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