I have the Irish Cruising Club Pilot for the eastern half - it really is very good and I would recommend it.
Strangely - we have talked about heading over to Ireland next year
Not sure what we're doing next year, but Ireland remains a possibility.
We missed out Carlingford and Strangford Loughs and went by Portpatrickand Peel, then Howth last year. However, would like to visit Carligford Lough - looks like a lot to see and explore.
We enjoyed the east coast of Irelend, met old friends and some interesting people, but, to be honest, while views of sandy beaches and fine headlands were great, we found that we missed the inlets, lochs, islands, and rocks of the west coast. Started to feel more at home once we were beyond Cork.
Our feeling is that we'd be more likely to go back to the area from West Cork to Donegal. It's a huge area with marvellous sailing. Perhaps handy anchorages are not as plentiful as on Scotland's west coast, you can generally find shelter within 4 hours of sailing, although there are some big coasts with very little. Having said that, we found the CG forecasts helpful.
If we're not sailing there next year, then you'd be welcome to use our charts (UKHO on east side, Imray on West, and cancelled chart in fathoms for Carnsore Point to Cork), and the ICC South and West pilot. For, of course, the usual consideration.
TBH, we didn't intend sailing the south and west coasts. We were heading for the Scilly Isles but took a wrong turning somewhere. Hence the odd choice of charts. While the Imrays were adequate, I felt that we missed the opportunity for exploring some of the nooks and crannies on the west coast.
Donald
Sounds as if it was a bit boring at times (Beaches and headlands). I've had a quick look on Google earth at the coastline - isn't technology a wonderful thing.
I would like to go to Carlingford and Stranford Loughs but am unsure if there is anything of interest other than a few places between Belfast and Dublin - correct me I'm missing out places of interest!
Intention is to make big day sail hops where necessary and spend time in the more interesting places.
Strangford is really interesting.
We were sailing around there when there was still a bit of the troubles. We were in Bangor one evening and recommended to stay in the marina as there was a bit of a stramash kicking off in the town.
Ardglass was another place where we sensed a bit of an atmosphere.
Friends tell me that stuff is over now....
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