OVERVIEW
The back eddies situated in Ballyteige Bay and the bight between the Saltee Islands and Carnsore Point can then be utilised to take a vessel to Hook Head or Carnsore Point ready for the turn of the main body of the tide.

Using the times provided here a vessel may avail of the Ballyteige Bay eddy to carry it 14 miles to Hook Head where it may pick up the commencing favourable stream along the coast afterwards. The west setting tide is however not as strong as those of the Irish Sea and it could be said to be insignificant off Duncannon. Nonetheless, it can be a very useful lift when making a westbound passage.

The eddy in the bight between the Saltee Islands and Carnsore Point may also be availed of to commence an eastbound passage to support the ten miles passage that takes a vessel around Carnsore Point. This sets the vessel up perfectly at the Fundale Buoy to avail of a full six hours of the strong Irish Sea tides as the flood north to speed a passage up the Irish Sea. This full route is detailed in the separate Dublin - Kilmore Quay inside the banks entry.

Vessels sailing in these waters should be attentive to navigation. The Saltee islands are fronted by numerous rocky shoals with several outlying dangers. Similarly St. Patrick's Bridge has shingle and rock banks that extend 1½ miles southward from Kilmore and a mile north from the northeast point of Little Saltee. It should only be crossed at the marked point where the greatest depth of 2.4 metres is available. It is advisable to avail of the cruising notes for the area that can be found in the Southern Ireland Coastal Description - Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour .

LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 21.29 miles from the waypoint '500 metres southeast of Carnsore Point' to '1 mile south of Hook Head Light' tending in a westerly direction (reciprocal easterly).







PASSAGE NOTES
Use the following rule of thumb timings to avail of this set of back-eddies when departing from Kilmore Quay or anchorages in its vicinity.

Westbound vessels should be close south of Kilmore Quay at HW Dover -2:00, (HW Cobh +4:15 Hours).

East and northbound vessels should be at Saint Patrick’s Bridge HW Dover + 4:15 (HW Cobh -2 Hours). This will provide two hours of favourable tide for the passage to Carnsore Point. Upon rounding the point 6 hours of strong north going tides in the Irish Sea can be availed of. The eastbound route is detailed to Dublin in the Dublin - Kilmore Quay inside the banks entry.

What is the best sailing time?

Sailing season is May to September, with June and July offering some of the best weather. Nevertheless the incidence of gales in June and July are on average two days of winds each month of winds up to force seven. So you may be either held up or having a blast depending on your sailing preferences. Ireland is not subject to persistent fog statistically complete days of persistent fog occur less than once in a decade.

Are there any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred sailing off the Irish coast.

With thanks to:

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