Dunnycove Bay is a small bay on the southwest coast of Ireland situated halfway between Galley Head and on the western entrance to Clonakilty Harbour. It offers a secluded anchorage off a small slip with a path up to the road.

The anchorage provides good protection in westerly and northerly conditions but is entirely exposed to the southwest through east to northeast. Access is straightforward as there are no off-lying dangers in the approach to the bay and it has deep water up to the shores.

Keyfacts for Dunnycove Bay

Position and approaches

Haven position

51° 33.635' N, 008° 53.499' W

This is off the slipway in the southwest corner of the bay.

What is the initial fix?

This is ¾of a mile out from the south side of the bay.

What are the key points of the approach?

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What's the story here?

Dunnycove Bay is situated on the west side of Clonakilty Bay about 3 miles to the northeast of Galley Head. It lies between Dunnycove Point and Duneen Head and has a small slip and beach in its southwest end. Steep steps and then a pathway lead from the slip to the road above. There is also a second slip in the centre of the bay at Ballycusheen, about 800 metres northward.




Clean and level, the bay affords an anchorage in depths of from 6 to 8 metres over a level area of fine sand. Protection is good with westerly winds, but it is entirely open to the southeast and east.

How to get in?

Use Ireland’s coastal overview for Cork Harbour to Mizen Head for seaward approaches and the directions Clonakilty (Ring) for local approaches. Galley Head 3 miles to the southwest of the bay makes Dunnycove position unmistakable. A conspicuous water tower stands at 107 metres and ½ a mile due west of Dunnycove, 7¼ miles northeast of Galley Head, that helps to finally position the bay from seaward.




Vessels moving between Dirk Bay and Dunnycove Bay, a distance of 1½ miles, should note the shore is skirted by several patches of foul ground, known as Cow, Keameen, and Bellows rocks. Although all are deep they may cause disturbed water. Keeping ½ a mile off the shore clears these dangers.


From the initial fix the bay is less than ¾ of a mile to the west. Dunnycove Bay itself is entered between Dunnycove Point and Duneen Head located 1½ miles north-northeast and is free of obstructions.




Anchor according to the prevailing conditions in the bay. The slip is in the southwest corner around Dunnycove Point is where the best shelter from the prevailing conditions may be found.



Land by tender at the slip or on the beach immediately alongside. There is also the alternative slip at Ballycusheen in the centre of the bay.

Why visit here?

Dunnnycove, or in Irish Dunnycoohig, takes its name from the ancient Dún Uí Cobtaig. Dún in Irish is a fort and Cobtaig refers to the O'Cowhig clan, as such the name means 'O'Cowhig's fortress'. This name directly refers to the tower house the clan held and the ruins of it can be visited over Dunnycove Point.




The name O'Cowhig, from Cobh-thachi or O'Cobhthaigh, now O'Coffey, means 'victor' or 'victorious'. The progenitor after whom the surname was called was Cobhthach Finn, son of Dunghalach, the twelfth in descent from Lughaidh Maccon. This was an ancient family who had been dynasts, chief lords, that originated as a sept of the O'Driscoll clan who held the southwest part of Carbery.




Little is known of the clan save that when the Corcalee royal family subdivided and the O'Cowhigs became dominant in this eastern portion of their territory called Tricha chead meadhonach. Tricha chead meadhonach meaning 'the middle or central cantred' with the word 'cantered' being a Norman term for a subdivision of a county that would be replaced by baronies in the 16th-century. The area was later held by the Barrys when it would take the name of the barony of Barryroe and is now known as Bariyroe East and West; Barryroe corresponds to the area of coastland between Clonakilty and Timoleague.




Being the only safe anchorage between Glandore and Ring, Dunnycove would later become the station of the western coastguard. This was part of the detachment within the district of Kinsale that in total comprised a force of 8 officers and 63 men, under the superintendence of a resident inspecting commander. But, aside from this, it has remained the very quiet out-of-the-way place that is experienced today.




Recessed between Dunnycove Point and Duneen Head, this a pretty little bay formed by a row of little indents that fall precipitously to a lower rock platform. Protected by the headland the water is very calm and on a clear day, much of the flat plateau of its sandy seabed can be seen through its transparent turquoise waters. This makes its tiny beach very popular with locals in summer and it is ideal for a spot of bathing.




The bay is also popular with small open angling boats from May to September when it provides a respite from the westerly Atlantic swell, along with easy boat launching off Dunnycove’s slip or at nearby Ballycusheen. Between these, there is a mixture of craggy and sandy coves where anglers regularly bring in flatfish, dogfish, bass and ray.




From a boating perspective, being just a mile and a half from Galley Head, it is a very useful passage maker stopover for a lunch break or rest point whilst making passage along the coast. Its high ground also offers good protection from severe westerly weather. The bay has no facilities apart from its slips. However, those prepared to stride out will find basic provisions in the small village of Ardfield, in Irish Ard O'bhFicheallaigh meaning 'height of Feeley's', and often called Ardofoyle, a mile’s walk inland from the slipway.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities at Dunnycove Bay itself, but 1 mile inland from the slipway at the village of Ardfield there is a post office, a pub, a hotel that has bar meals and a fine dining restaurant, and a golf course nearby.

With thanks to:

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