Lady Belle left Dungarvan Bay on June 15th and with following winds and lovely calm conditions along the south and west coast arrived in Westport on June 25th. Stopping over in Summercove, Baltimore, Crookhaven, Derrynane, Valentia, Brandon, Kilronan, Roundstone, Inishbofin, Inishturk along the way.
While we spent 10 days in Westport, it wasn’t all due to the persistent strong westerlies that prevailed for days!
Finally leaving Westport after 10 days the motor sail around Achill Head to Blacksod was lumpy enough but the moorings at Blacksod were calm and sheltered. The 160th anniversary of the Lighthouse here had been celebrated a few days earlier.
We left the visitor moorings at Blacksod for Kilcummin Head which is situated on the NW corner of Killala Bay. Passing inside the Inishkea Islands we were disappointed not to have been able to stopover there.
The north Mayo coast looked wonderful in the sunshine as Lady Belle enjoyed a great sail along it’s shores towards Killala Bay. Arriving at Killala Bay we rounded Kilcummin Head and just 1nm south is a lovely stop at the small village of Bunowna. 4 visitor buoys are available.
Next morning we headed across a fairly calm Donegal Bay towards Burtonport. The moorings at Arranmore can often be uncomfortable so we opted for Burtonport. Despite the falling tide Donal choose the more challenging Sound Channel rather than the more popular Rutland North Channel to Burtonport.
Berthing used to be allowed on the inside of the pier at Burtonport. Now visiting yachts are asked to use the outer pier wall.
The narrow rocky channel to and from Burtonport is well marked and always interesting. Once out we headed for Bloody Foreland and had a good sail from there for most of the day. Very calm winds were forecast so Inishtrahull was very possible for an overnight. Located north of Malin Head it is the most northerly island in Ireland
West side of Inishtrahull Portmore, the small inlet cove on the NE corner of Inishtrahull was calm. We tied to the single mooring there which we were surprised to find. It probably belongs to the tourist boat at Malin.
A walk ashore was essential.
The school house built in 1901 with the notable incorrect carved spelling of the island’s name. Inishtrahull was abandoned in 1928. The 4 red deer that were here on a previous day visit were culled as to boost their calcium intake they were eating the seabirds eggs. Now it’s just the various seabirds, rabbits and seals. Lady Belle had a lovely calm night there before heading to Port Charlotte on the south of Islay the next morning.
