OVERVIEW
The Magharee Islands, or Seven Hogs, lie four miles due east of Brandon Point. The group of islands lie north of Rough Point the northern end of a sandy peninsula that separates Brandon Bay from Tralee Bay. Narrow and intricate Magharee Sound passes between the islets and the foul ground off Rough Point. The Sound is deep and wide with a least depth of 4.3 metres and is a ⅓ of a mile wide.

In moderate or clear weather with a favourable tide, there is no great difficulty in running through this cut that saves at least an hour's sailing and adds some interesting navigation. But during westerly gales, a heavy breaking sea breaks right across the sound where it meets an opposing current and it should be absolutely avoided. The worst conditions are to be found in a northwest gale or when there is a heavy swell. So it should be noted that this is not a foul weather short cut. In these times it is best to pass two miles north of the Magharees to avoid possible breakers over two shoals located to the north of the group.


LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 9.49 miles from the waypoint 'West Magharee Sound' to '200 metres south of Great Samphire Lighthouse' tending in a east south easterly direction (reciprocal west north westerly).







TRANSIT NOTES
Two transits mark the Magharee Sound’s best water. Admiralty Chart 2739 presents a leading mark shown of 106° T of the rock islet The Rose with the ruined square tower of Fenit Castle in line with the highest part of Church Hill, upon which stands two prominent churches. This will lead out through the eastern side of the sound. However, this transit may not always be easily picked out by an unacquainted visitor. Another possibly more easily identified lead through the sound is to give Illauntannig a reasonable berth and then keep Gurrig Island, a flat island that looks like a pan lid almost replete with knob, about its own breadth open to the south of the south point of Illauntannig, providing a line of bearing of 282° T astern.

The tides into Tralee Bay need to be factored into any transit as they attain a maximum rate of three knots here.

• • Dover HW (Cobh +0550) the in-going stream into Tralee Bay commences


• • Dover +0600 (Cobh -0035) out going stream from Tralee Bay commences

The deep water track through Magharee Sound has only 200 metres either side of it in places, and the sound itself is less than half a mile wide, so great care should be taken not to be pushed off the line.

In fine weather, the islands are stunningly beautiful. There is an anchorage available close north of the western approach to Magharee Sound off the island of Illauntannig .

What is the best sailing time?

Sailing season for Ireland is May to September, with June and July offering some of the best weather. Nevertheless the incidence of winds up to force seven and above in June and July are on average two days each month. 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 to a pleasure vessel sailing off the Irish coast.

With thanks to:

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