Torr Head is situated on the northeast coast of Ireland three and a half miles south of Fair Head and twenty-three miles north by west of Larne. Vessels may obtain a temporary lunch stop or a tide wait anchorage out of the main tidal stream on either side of the headland.

Torr Head is a stay-aboard anchorage in an area with extreme currents where a vessel should not be left unattended or at least watched from the shore. Utilising both sides of the headland it offers good protection in settled or westerly component conditions but is completely exposed to anything from the east. Access is straightforward thanks to the absence of offshore dangers or any tidal restrictions.

The direction and velocity of the tide will be the central feature of any navigation planning in this area.

Keyfacts for Torr Head

Position and approaches

Haven position

55° 11.598' N, 006° 3.721' W

This is in Portaleen Bay 400 metres south of the Torr Head.

What is the initial fix?

This is on the 30-metre contour a ⅓ of a mile to south by southeast of the Torr Head.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

The picturesque Torr Head is a peninsula that rises to 67 metres over the sea and is surmounted by a disused coastguard watch tower. The remote headland has road access and the tiny Torr Head Harbour and its adjacent salmon station. Also known as Portaleen Harbour it is located on the south side of the headland and apart from this and the overlooking ruin of the old coastguard and watch house on the summit there is nothing else here.




In calm conditions, Torr Head can provide a temporary anchorage on either side of the headland in a remote and beautifully unspoilt location.



The best anchorage is to be had in Portaleen Bay on the south side of the headland. Landings can be made at the small harbour's slips, protected by a breakwater.




It may be possible to anchor overnight in settled conditions but be prepared to leave immediately should the winds pick up and take on an easterly component.

How to get in?

Offshore details are available in northeast Ireland’s coastal overview for Malin Head to Strangford Lough . The prominent headland is rendered unmistakable by being located 3½ miles southeast of Fair or Benmore Head Ireland's northeast corner. Likewise, the 265 metres high peak of Carnaneigh standing 2 miles south by southeast of Torr Head makes for an excellent seamark. A radio mast also stands conspicuous 1 mile west by northwest of this head.




Vessels converging on Torr Head will find no outlying hazards north of Hangman and Maiden Rocks situated 18 miles to the southeast. Keep 400 metres out from the slopes of the Antrim Mountains, which push out almost vertically to the coast in the vicinity, clears all dangers.




The direction and velocity of the tide will be the central feature of any navigation planning in this area. They attain a rate of 4 knots off the pitch of the point off Torr Head. On a still day when the flood tide is running, it roars with the sound of a fast-flowing river around the headland.




From the Torr Head initial fix, set approximately 500 metres to the northeast of the head, select the side of the headland that offers the best shelter from the prevailing conditions and round the head as appropriate.




Work slowly into a depth of preference and find a sandy spot where it is possible to anchor. Shallower berths are available on the southern side of the headland in Poertaleen Bay which is overlooked by Torr Head Harbour which is also known as Portaleen Harbour.




Landings are possible in the dock but if the salmon station is active do ask permission from the owners who are operating the salmon nets when making an approach.

Why visit here?

Torr Head derives its name from the Irish word 'tor' meaning 'tall or steep rocky height'. This aptly describes the headland which is an excellent example of metamorphosed limestone and indicative of Ireland and Scotland’s volcanic rock sequences. Here, erosion has destroyed younger rocks, uncovering a very ancient land surface.




With its very exposed location and its remarkable projecting headland jutting out into open sea, Torr Head provides a focal point for one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in Northern Ireland. Torr Head is Ireland's closest point to Scotland and this area of the Antrim coast has been settled since Mesolithic times (7000 - 4000 BC). The strong associations between the North Antrim Coastline and Scotland have played a particularly important role in defining the cultural heritage of the area. Previously part of the ancient sea kingdom of Dalriada, the Scottish influence is evident everywhere in place-names, music, language and dance and the area has many literary associations.




'The Childen of Lir', a famous Irish legend involves the main characters in the story spending time on the 'Sea of Moyle' which is an old name for the North Channel. The old coastguard station stands on the traditional site of a fort belonging to Barrach, one of the Red Branch warriors, who features in the tale of 'Deirdre and the Sons of Uisneach'. Sleacht Bharraigh, Barrach's Grave, is the name given to the passage tomb on top of Greenanmore to the west. On the summit of Carnanmore to the southwest lies another, almost intact, passage tomb with decorated roof slabs.




The walls and ruins of the later nearby Altagore Cashel, Altagore being English but cashel means a heap of stones, also marks its defensive nature. The structure dates back to the early Christian period 500-1200 A.D. and circular fortified farmsteads such as this were usually earthen mounds called 'raths', 'fortified positions', inland. Altagore was built where stone/rock was more available than soil whereas a few miles away but lower down are five raths where soil is more abundant than stone. The inside diameter is approximately 16 metres, the width of the walls is 3 metres and the original height is estimated to be 4 metres. The entrance being quite small it would have provided defence against moderate attacks but it would have been unlikely to hold out against a determined Vikings assault. Altagore Cashel remains today because the area's rock is in abundance as a construction material. Much larger versions such as 'Grianan' of 'Aileach' between Derry and Letterkenny were the residences of major clan chiefs.




The area needed its defences as Antrim would be fought over by the McQuillans, McDonnells and near neighbours the O'Neills. Its turbulent history is reflected in the many battle sites throughout the area such as Slieveanorra, Glentaisie and Rathlin. Throughout this tempestuous history, Torr Head would often have been the last hope for Scottish clans beckoning aid from allies the highly visible Argyllshire some twelve miles across the North Channel.




The head's most important years would date back to the 1800s when it recorded the passage of transatlantic ships. The ruined buildings below Torr Head were established in 1822 as custom houses and a lookout station. At this time, similar to Malin Head, it was a semaphore station that had one of the first of Marconi’s wireless telegraphy systems installed.




The semaphore signalling station recorded the passage of trans-Atlantic ships and relayed the information to Lloyds of London and the port of destination via wireless telegraphy. The station and coastguard houses near the car park were abandoned in the 1920s. The old radio masts and outbuildings were once a transmission and listening station for the Royal Air Force and can still be seen on the Hill at Torr Head.




The small Torr Head Harbour, also called Portaleen Harbour, nestled close to the shore on the south side of the headland is an old salmon fishery station with a winch. On weekdays during the late spring and summer, when salmon are migrating, a net is stretched across the bay to catch salmon nosing their way along the coast in search of their particular spawning river. There is also a Cod migratory route close offshore of Torr Head.




Today Torr Head is off the beaten path in a sparkly populated part of the coast and although accessible by road it draws a handful of sights seers each day and little else. This lends an unspoilt nature to this coastline along with a strong sense of remoteness, tranquillity and naturalness. If time permits and a competent crew member can be left aboard to maintain an anchor watch, it is very much worthwhile launching the dinghy to land a shore party here.




A hike aloft is rewarded by extensive panoramic views across the North Channel towards Islay, Kintyre, Ailsa Craig, Arran and the Rhins of Galloway. Likewise, the area’s rolling moorland hills provide excellent walks through varied coastal geology that contain large swaths of semi-natural grasslands, scrub, pockets of broadleaved woodland and small rippling streams.




But a boat watch must be maintained here as these dramatic slopes shelve quickly and fall away into deep turbulent waters and the alternating currents roar through the North Channel accelerating off the point of the headland.




From a boating perspective, Torr Head, akin to its nearby northern Murlough Bay, provides a place to step out of the run of the current along this coastline. Although Torr Head's holding is not as good as Murlough Bay, it does offer a steeper peninsula that provides better shelter from the prevailing winds. This is a considerable advantage in this area making it a good place to await a favourable tide or to have a lunch break. With enough crew aboard to watch the boat and land a shore party, there is also the opportunity to enjoy the strong sense of remoteness and tranquillity the headland has to offer.

What facilities are available?

Apart from the small pier and slip on the south side of the head there is nothing ashore here.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to a vessel anchored off Torr Head. Any vessel here will most likely be alone in this isolated corner of Ireland.

With thanks to:

Terry Crawford.