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Ardgroom is situated on the southwest coast of Ireland, upon the south side of the Kenmare River bout halfway down the north side of the Beara Peninsula. It is a large coastal bight with a quay that is extensively used for aquaculture.

Ardgroom is situated on the southwest coast of Ireland, upon the south side of the Kenmare River bout halfway down the north side of the Beara Peninsula. It is a large coastal bight with a quay that is extensively used for aquaculture.

The land-locked harbour offers an excellent overnight anchorage with protection from all conditions. But Ardgroom requires highly involved navigation as the intricate entrance utilises transit beacons to marks a dog-legged approach. These are often grey or obscured by trees and very hard to see - particularly so in the early part of the day with the sun in the east. This makes it a testing exercise for the first visit, with daylight, settled conditions under engine and in a vessel with good manoeuvrability a prerequisite.
Please note

The harbour is full of rocks, spits and marine farms that are often very close to the initial leading lines so they must be very carefully followed.




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Keyfacts for Ardgroom Harbour
Facilities
Gas availableTop up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationJetty or a structure to assist landingScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinitySet near a village or with a village in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Note: fish farming activity in the vicinity of this location

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Minimum depth
3 metres (9.84 feet).

Approaches
1 stars: Highly involved navigation; complex dangers that require arduous navigation, good visibility and settled conditions.
Shelter
5 stars: Complete protection; all-round shelter in all reasonable conditions.



Last modified
February 14th 2022

Summary

A completely protected location with highly involved navigation required for access.

Facilities
Gas availableTop up fuel available in the area via jerry cansShop with basic provisions availableHot food available in the localityPublic house or wine bar in the area


Nature
No fees for anchoring or berthing in this locationAnchoring locationJetty or a structure to assist landingScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinitySet near a village or with a village in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Note: fish farming activity in the vicinity of this location



Position and approaches
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Haven position

51° 45.230' N, 009° 52.666' W

In the centre of the anchorage off the pier.

What is the initial fix?

The following Ardgroom initial fix will set up a final approach:
51° 46.000' N, 009° 52.863' W
This waypoint is 400 meters north of Dog Point, on the 135 degree bearing leading onto the Halftide Rock beacon (800 metres out).


What are the key points of the approach?

Offshore details are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head Route location.

  • Good visibility, settled conditions, binoculars, and a bearing compass are recommended for a carefully piloted approach under power.

  • This requires the use of multiple transits based around five unlit stone beacons.

  • The final approaches then skirts mussel rafts.


Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Ardgroom Harbour for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Kilmakilloge Harbour - 1.6 nautical miles ENE
  2. Sneem Harbour - 3.4 nautical miles N
  3. Ballycrovane Harbour - 3.8 nautical miles SW
  4. Mill Cove - 6 nautical miles S
  5. Ormond's Harbour - 6.3 nautical miles NE
  6. Castletownbere (Castletown Bearhaven) - 6.3 nautical miles S
  7. West Cove - 6.7 nautical miles W
  8. Adrigole - 7.3 nautical miles SE
  9. Dunboy Bay & Traillaun Harbour - 7.4 nautical miles SSW
  10. Lawrence Cove - 7.4 nautical miles SSE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Kilmakilloge Harbour - 1.6 miles ENE
  2. Sneem Harbour - 3.4 miles N
  3. Ballycrovane Harbour - 3.8 miles SW
  4. Mill Cove - 6 miles S
  5. Ormond's Harbour - 6.3 miles NE
  6. Castletownbere (Castletown Bearhaven) - 6.3 miles S
  7. West Cove - 6.7 miles W
  8. Adrigole - 7.3 miles SE
  9. Dunboy Bay & Traillaun Harbour - 7.4 miles SSW
  10. Lawrence Cove - 7.4 miles SSE
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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Chart
Please use our integrated Navionics chart to appraise the haven and its approaches. Navionics charts feature in premier plotters from B&G, Raymarine, Magellan and are also available on tablets. Open the chart in a larger viewing area by clicking the expand to 'new tab' or the 'full screen' option.

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What's the story here?
Ardgroom Harbour and Pallas Pier as seen from the southwest
Image: Michael Harpur


Located on the south shore of the Kenmare River, directly opposite to Sneem Harbour on the north shore, Ardgroom harbour straddles the county boundaries of Cork and Kerry border. It has very little development and being wooded all along its inner parts is very pretty. The busy working Pallas Pier lies in its northwest corner sheltered by a long spit of land called the Cus that juts out from the inner side of the western entrance. The small village of Ardgroom lies inland to the southwest.

Local fishing boats alongside Pallas Pier
Image: Michael Harpur


The land-locked harbour Ardgroom Harbour offers protection from all conditions off Pallas Harbour with 2 to 6 metres of water. However, Ardgroom has an intricate entrance, using multiple transits, which it is best to assume, will be difficult to distinguish. Principally, the first of which is often obscured by trees and very hard to see. This makes it a testing exercise for the first visit where daylight and settled conditions are a prerequisite. The inner bay is much given to mussel fishery but do not be deterred by the hectares of mussel barrels as there is ample room.


How to get in?
Spacious Ardgroom Harbour as seen from eastward
Image: Michael Harpur


Convergance Point Use Ireland’s coastal overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head Route location for seaward approaches. Progressing up the Kenmare River the opening of Ardgroom will be very conspicuous from some distance. Knocknamona, its low dark western point, slopes down from an elevation of 60 metres, and is surrounded by outlying dangers. The Kidney Rocks, running off more than 200 metres about a ½ a mile southwest of Dog’s Point, are generally visible in the wash of the sea. Then entrance is then easily identified by Dog Point, rising to a height of 62 metres and Carravaniheen Island, 1 metre high, situated a little under ½ a mile to the northwest of the point.

Ardgroom's inner harbour as seen from the southwest
Image: Michael Harpur


Stay clear of Carravaniheen as it is foul with submerged rocks extending 200 metres to the southwest, and a ⅓ of a mile to the northward and northeastward. There is a marine farm between it and the shore.


The principal beacons in Ardgroom's Harbour mouth
Image: Michael Harpur


Within this is the harbour mouth that is found with a ridge of isolated rocks, reefs, islets through which the entrance channel is marked by unlit beacons, including an outer single beacon and two pairs of leading beacons within the harbour.

Initial fix location From the initial fix turn on to the 135° T track leading onto the Halftide Rock Beacon. This is the commencement of three sets of alignments that must be accurately steered, making sure to pick up the next pair in plenty of time so as not to overrun the intersection points. Vessels are advised to come in under power with a good bearing compass and binoculars to hand. All three leading lines for entry are as follows:
Please note

To assist we provide alignment waypoints that help to position the vessel for the key points of the entry. But do not rely on the waypoints to take a vessel in, only use them to help position the sightlines and the vessel to pick up the beacons.




Steering in on the Halftide Rock Beacon (prior to the aquafarm)
Image: Burke Corbett


(i) Steer a bearing of 135° T into the single Halftide Rock Beacon a ⅓ of a mile east southeast of Dog’s Point. Mussel rafts extend from Dog’s Point to Black Rock which makes itself known by its white pillar. On closer approaches, the Halftide Rock Beacon is then passed on its northern side.

  • Waypoint 135° and 099° leading bearings intersection point – position: 51°45.750N 009°52.431W
    This waypoint is the charted intersection point of the lead in of 135° T on the Halftide beacon and the second 099° T (R 279° T) pair of beacons leading to Black Rock Beacon. It is approximately 80 metres northwest of the conspicuous black beacon by Halftide rock where the vessel should turn to port.


(ii) Then steer a bearing of 099° T leading line provided by the pair of beacons of the Black Rock (front) and the rear found in the trees about ½ a mile behind.


Black Rock the lower and front of the first pair of leading beacons
Image: Graham Rabbits


It is the latter rear beacon that is sometimes made inconspicuous by bushes. Even when they are cut back they tend to hide it from view and only its top shows at first. It will, most likely, be seen when the intersection point has been reached. It is important not to mistake the white bungalow for the leading mark or several white chimneys that are more conspicuous surrounding it.


Rear mark as seen from a over a mile through mist (pushed image)
Image: Graham Rabbits


This is the critical path to track in on as it leads between the awash Ship Rock and outer awash extremity rocks of Skellig Rock, on the north side, and the Sko Rock awash extremity on the south. It also leads over the harbour's rocky bar that has a least depth of 2.4 metres at about the midpoint of this alignment.

  • Waypoint 009° and 026° leading bearing intersection point – position: 51°45.659N 009°51.506W
    The following waypoint is the charted intersection with the second 099° beacon leading to Black Rock (white beacon) and the third 026°/206° (astern) leading line off Yellow Rock (dark concrete with faded black painted bands) into the harbour. It is approximately 120 metres west by northwest of the Black Rock beacon where the vessel is turned to starboard.


(iii) Then steer a bearing of 206° T following a reciprocal astern bearing of 026° T on the pair of beacons fronted by Yellow Rock (front) and the rear beacon on the north shore about 300 metres behind. This proceeds in deep water for about a ½ a mile until the northern line of mussel rafts appear.


The second pair of beacons Yellow Rock 026° T (astern) inline
Image: Graham Rabbits


  • Waypoint 026° leading bearing endpoint – position: 51°45.205N 009°51.862W
    This waypoint is on the alignment before the northern line of the mussel rafts that occupy the southern half of the bay will be encountered. This is before the charted line ends as the encroaching rafts have now occupied this space.



Approaching Ardgroom's Harbours extensive mussel rafts
Image: Burke Corbett


It is then safe to turn westward into the harbour which has plenty of water. Follow the line rafts westward and pass to the south of Cus Island keeping well clear of it as foul ground extends 300 metres outward of its southern extremity. Running along the seaward edge of the barrels is the easiest way to clear the shallows to the north.


Skirt the mussel rafts in the south side of the bay and to the west of Cus
island for Pallis Pier

Image: Michael Harpur


Continue towards the western shore skirting the mussel rafts in the south side of the bay and those to the west of Cus island and its foul ground.


Yacht anchored off the end of Pallas Pier Ardgroom Harbour
Image: Graham Rabbits


Haven location Anchor to the south of Pallas Pier or pass around the west side of the mussel rafts and anchor to the northwest of the quay according to conditions. The bottom consists of sand/mud offering good holding but questionable around the shale bank near the harbour.


The slip on the southern side of the pier
Image: Michael Harpur


Land at the pier or its slip on the southern pier.


Why visit here?
The origin of the name Ardgroom is uncertain. Some believe it derives from Árd gruama, 'gloomy height' referring to its overlooking mountain's dark surface being shrouded in sea fogs. Alternatively, and more widely held, it is derived from the Irish Dhá Dhrom, which means 'two drums'. This refers to its two gravelly hills of Dromárd and Drombeg, which were deposited by a glacier.


The Ardgroom Stone Circle
Image: Philip Hay via CC BY-SA 3.0


Whichever the case this is an area is steeped in history and a number of megalithic monuments can be explored nearby. The most picturesque of these is the Ardgroom Stone Circle which can be found a couple of miles to the southwest of the village. Located in the lowlands between the harbour and the hills it is also sometimes also known as the Canfea Stone Circle after the local townland. The circle consists of 11 stones, 9 of which are still upright with one alignment stone outside the circle. Unusually for a stone circle, its stones tend to taper toward points, possibly to echo a craggy conical hill standing south by southwest.


Dunkerron Mountains seen out through the entrance to Ardgroom
Image: Tourism Ireland


Its positioning was certainly intended as the vistas from the site are spectacular. All around are high mountains, small green hills, crags, and all around the chorus of trickling streams descending to the sea.


Cashakeelty Stone Circle
Image: © Clay Piercy


About a mile to the northeast lie the remains of another stone circle called the Cashakeelty Stone Circle. It was on an ancient track, known as the Green Road, that connected the two sites and also connected communities by spanning a good part of the peninsula. Only three stones from this alignment group remain in place today. But, once again, the panoramic views near the alignment stones are vast.


Both of these sites feature on the Beara Way - Long Distance Walking Route. Also in the vicinity are the remains of at least two ring forts and stone rows. Ardgroom is also a base for exploring the scenic glacial valley around Glenbeg Lough nestled into the Berra Penninsula.


Pallas Pier takes its name from when Ardgroom was a seine fishery
Image: Michael Harpur


Pallas Pier takes its name from the period from the 16th century onwards to beyond Victorian times when seining was extensively carried out in the Southwest Coast of Ireland. Fish Palaces or Pallices, the outlying curing stations, were numerous in Ardgroom Harbour. In Victorian times when the fish were landed, they were either salted or stored in ice. An ice ship called the 'Trafalgar' anchored near Deenish Island to collect the fish. When she was full she was towed away to England by the paddle boat Trojdan. 'Trafalgar' would eventually be wrecked in Berehaven Bay. An old processing building remains to this day with holes in the wall that supported the beams that extended out over the barrels of fish to extract/press out the valuable oil, which was in much demand across Europe.


Sunrise as seen from the cockpit whilst anchored in Ardgroom Bay
Image: Graham Rabbits


From a boating point of view, Ardgroom offers a landlocked harbour with perfect security off of Pallas Pier. Although it has been encroached upon by aquaculture it remains a lovely bay with high ground on the south side and some beautiful views. The only challenge is the navigation that could provide a spot of interesting pilotage in good conditions.


What facilities are available?
There are no facilities in Ardgroom Harbour save for a Pallas pier and slip. The small Ardgroom village, 3.4 Km (45 minutes walk) from the pier has most village amenities, including a wonderful restaurant. Harrington's general store incorporates the post office and a service station will meet most general requirements. The 282 282 runs service stops and Harrington's and the shop runs an early morning minibus service to Cork every day except Thursdays (booking essential). A local taxi is run by John O'Shea, Tel: +353 87 6713372, or contact Harrington's shop.


Any security concerns?
Never an incident known to have occurred in Ardgroom.


With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.







Pallas Harbour, Ardgroom



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Add your review or comment:


Pietro Totaro wrote this review on May 11th 2018:

Hi,
actually, the first, 2nd and 3rd picture show Cleandra Harbour, out and 3 miles WSW from Ardgroom Harbour. The view in the third picture is from Shamrock Cliff and not from Droumard. Near Droumard, in fact, there is a nice pier on Ardgroom Harbour.
Kind regards,
Pietro

Average Rating: Unrated


Michael Harpur wrote this review on May 18th 2018:

Thank you that is so helpful. I have now put that to rights. Any other issues please let me know.

Average Rating: Unrated

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