This is a useful pair of tidal back-eddies located in the coastal bights east and west of Kilmore Quay and the Saltee Islands, upon the southeast corner of Ireland. The route covers both of the eddies although in practice it will only be one of its western or eastern halves that will be used to commence a coastal passage.
Why sail this route?
Availing of one of the conjoining back eddies can add at least two hours of favourable tides to vessel making an east or westbound passage from the popular fishing harbour and marina of Kilmore Quay or the anchorages in this vicinity. This provides any inshore passage commenced in this area with the benefit of eight hours of favourable tidal streamsTidal overview
Today's summary tidal overview for this route as of Tuesday, April 29th at 06:58. Westbound vessels should be close south of Kilmore Quay at HW Dover -2:00, (HW Cobh +4:15 Hours) to make the best of the Ballyteige Bay eddy. East and northbound vessels should be at Saint Patrick’s Bridge at HW Dover + 4:15 (HW Cobh -2 Hours) to make the best of the best of the eddy in the bight between the Saltee Islands and Carnsore Point.East and northbound
(HW Dover +0415 to +0445)

Starts in 10:05:29
(Tue 17:04 to 17:34)
Westbound
(HW Dover -0200 to -0130) 
Starts in 03:50:29
(Tue 10:49 to 11:19)
What are the navigational notes?

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
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
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).
500 metres southeast of Carnsore Point, 52° 10.090' N, 006° 21.700' W
This is approximately 500 metres southeast of the point. This is close to the Carnsore point to keep a vessel well inside the Tercheen Rock, awash 400 metres to the north of Black Rock which is clearly visible.
► Next waypoint: 6.99 miles, course ⇓ 263.25°T (reciprocal ⇑ 83.25°T)
St. Patrick's Bridge - eastern approach alignment waypoint, 52° 9.260' N, 006° 33.000' W
This is positioned approximately a mile to the east of St. Patrick’s Bridge to align the best passage.
► Next waypoint: 1.04 miles, course ⇓ 270.01°T (reciprocal ⇑ 90.01°T)
St. Patrick's Bridge, 52° 9.260' N, 006° 34.700' W
The deepest part of the St. Patrick's Bridge, 2.4 metres CD to cross. From April to September two seasonal port and starboard light buoys are provided for this crossing with the direction of buoyage being from west to east. Green Buoy Fl. G6s 2M, Red Buoy Fl. R6s 2M.
► Next waypoint: 0.40 miles, course ⇓ 270.00°T (reciprocal ⇑ 90.00°T)
St. Patrick's Bridge - western approach alignment waypoint, 52° 9.260' N, 006° 35.350' W
About 400 metres west of St. Patrick’s Bridge and very close to the Kilmore Quay’s safe water marker. The harbour's leading marks will be coming in-line, on 007.8° T, at about this point.
► Next waypoint: 12.86 miles, course ⇓ 257.37°T (reciprocal ⇑ 77.37°T)