Dunkerron Harbour is a sheltered anchorage situated on the north side of the Kenmare River about three miles southwestward of the town of Kenmare in southwest Ireland. It is a very good anchorage in a scenic setting with a convenient jetty to land upon or lay alongside overnight.

Situated in the north end of the Kenmare River and sheltered behind two groups of islands the harbour offers good protection and complete protection to shallower vessels that can work their way into the harbours shallower arms. Access requires straightforward navigation to pass between the surrounding islands and outlying rocks but it may be approached at any stage of the tide.

Keyfacts for Dunkerron

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 52.126' N, 009° 38.519' W

Near the pier for Dromquinna Manor. Water is deeper further to the west.

What is the initial fix?

This is located to the south of the approach path between the islands of Illaungowla and Dunkerron Island West that permits access to the harbour area.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

On the north side of the main navigational channel of the Kenmare River, Dunkerron Harbour is well sheltered by the Greenane and Cappanacush islands, to the west, and the Dunkerron Islands to the southeast. It provides a well-sheltered anchoring area with ample depths with excellent mud holding as well as the possibility of coming alongside the hotel's jetty.

Depths are sufficient for vessels of 3.2 draught to lie afloat about 300 metres south of Reen Point. Shallow-draft vessels will find better protection further west with depths reducing to about 1.4 metres west of Dromquinna Manor Hotel's jetty. The jetty has 1.8 metres on its west side and vessels may lay alongside by arrangement with the hotel. To the east of the jetty the depths get very shallow at low tide.

Approaches are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head . The channel to the upper part of the Kenmare River narrows 1½ miles before the Dunkerron Initial Fix is approached by Brennel Island on the south shore and Carrignaronebeg Rock, which are made known by lateral marks.

The 3-metre high Brennel Island is the highest part of a reef that extends a ⅓ of a mile from the south shore. Its outer eastern rock, Bat Rock with 0.8 metres of water over it uncovering at half-tide, is situated 230 metres to the north of the island and is marked by a buoy to the north.

Bat Rock – Starboard Buoy Fl G5s position: 51° 50.914'N, 009° 40.929'W

Carrignaronebeg rock lies in the middle of the Kenmare River opposite. It dries to 2.6 metres but covers at high water and is marked by Carrignaronebeg buoy.

Carrignaronebeg - Port Buoy Fl R5s position: 51° 51.102'N, 009° 41.368'W

The pass between Bat Rock and the Carrignaronebeg Rocks, is 500 metres wide and has 11 to 17 metres of water.

A small detached pinnacle called Bowlings Rock has 0.8 metres of water and lies ¾ of a mile to the east of Carrignaronebeg.

From the initial fix, leave the drying Cod Rock South, drying to 3 metres, and Cod Rock North, drying to 2.4 metres, to port, or west. Keep a reef extending 200 metres off the Fox Islands, terminating with The Boar, to starboard or east.


Anchor according to draft and conditions. As described above depths in excess of 3.2 metres can be found southward of Reen Point, with 1.8 metres available about midway between Reen Point and the Fox Islands, and 1.4 metres west of the jetty. As the bottom is soft miscalculations of the tide will cause little injury.

The jetty has a dredged channel that leads from the deep water to the south following the line of the jetty. It is also possible to land at Templenoe Pier which dries on the north shore. It is in excellent condition and may offer the possibility of going alongside and drying out.

Why visit here?

Dunkerron receives its name from the Irish Dún Ciarán, meaning Ciarán's fort. The name refers to the 13th-century Norman tower house Dunkerron Castle located in Templenoe on the north shore. The castle was the family seat of the O'Sullivan Mór family from the late 16th-century until it was confiscated in 1656 and given to Sir William Petty.

Dunkerron Harbour is a pretty 'Bay of Islands' with the three groups of large and well-wooded islands calling out to be explored. All the islands are largely ungrazed, unmanaged and overgrown almost to the point of being impenetrable. The Greenanes are much more attractive to picnic upon, but don't linger on any of the groups for when the water is away extensive glutinous mudflats appear that are almost impossible to escape from.

Dromquinna Manor which hosts the jetty and The Boathouse Bistro on the root of the jetty overlooking the harbour, is a mid-Victorian house built by Sir John Columb who was the local landlord of the time. In recent times it was converted into a hotel. Next to it is the Dromquinna Riding Stables and Open Farm, Kerry’s oldest family-run riding centre.

From a boating point of view, Dunkerron Harbour offers a safe and scenic base for anchoring which is convenient for visiting Kenmare. Good meals can be had in' The Boathouse Bistro,' and moorings or an alongside berth are available by arrangement in advance. We have left Jabulani there for a month. We anchored just south of the jetty, but there are places further to the West. Shelter is good here.

What facilities are available?

Water on the pier, but no power. The extensive hotel has all the facilities you would expect including showers. The touring caravan park has good provisioning capabilities. Templenoe has a post office and pub. Bus to Letterkenny for everything else.

With thanks to:

PETER CRAVEN

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