Ireland:Strangford Lough
From Skipper2Skipper
| Where Am I? | |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe -> Northern Ireland | |
Latest Information
Nothing to report, if you have anything to add, please add it here. Don't forget to put a date next to it!
General
It is a popular tourist attraction noted for its fishing and the picturesque villages and townships which border its waters. The most notable of these is Portaferry, a small village of around 3,000 people.
The island studded sea lough is the largest inlet in the UK and Ireland, covering 150 square kilometres. Almost totally landlocked, the lough is approached from the Irish Sea through the eight kilometre long fast-running tidal narrows, which open out into more gentle waters where, it is said, there are 365 islands, one for every day of the year. In reality there are 70. Countless tidal rocky outcrops called pladdies litter the Lough and mudflats, along with marshes, rocks, bays and headlands. The Lough is a conservation area and its abundant wildlife recognised internationally for its importance. It is also an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds.
Strangford Lough is a shallow sea lough and the Lough's northern tip is only about 6 km from the outskirts of Belfast. About a third of the Lough is intertidal - best seen from the huge expanses of sandflats exposed at the northern end at low tide. At high tide this area is covered in shallow water. The southern entrance to the Lough is a deep channel about 8km long, called the Narrows. From Portaferry across the Narrows to Strangford is just 0.5km. The currents in between are extremely strong and fast - up to 8 knots (4m/s). The Lough is huge - almost like an inland sea. It's the largest sea Lough in the British Isles, covering 150 sq km. It is also a great place for marine life.
Three hundred and fifty million litres of water flow in and out of Strangford Lough twice daily so it's perhaps no surprise that it's one of the richest marine environments in Europe. Two thousand marine animals and plants have been recorded in and around the Lough - that's almost three quarters of all the species recorded around the Northern Ireland coast. Because Strangford Lough is so big, there's a wealth of wildlife from seals and basking sharks to tens of thousands of birds that make remarkable journeys halfway across the world to get here. This beautiful, wild and rugged landscape is just 13 miles from Belfast city centre!
Approaches, Routes and Navigation
Tidal information and currents
The southern entrance to the Lough is a deep channel about 8km long, called the Narrows. From Portaferry across the Narrows to Strangford is just 0.5km. The currents in between are extremely strong and fast - up to 8 knots (4m/s).
Charts
- Admiralty Charts SC2156 Strangford Lough
- C62 Irish Sea Plans Entrance to Carlingford Lough, Portavogie, Skerries Bay, KHkeel Harbour, Maiahide Inlet, Ardglass, Entrance to Strangford Lough 1:280,000
Weather
Major ports
Marinas and Anchorages
Anchorages information goes here
Quoile Marina
See Quoile Yacht Club below!
Whiterock Marina
Portaferry Marina
Chandlers and Repair Facilities
Victuals (Food and Drink!)
Sailing Clubs
Strangford Lough Yacht Club
Whiterock Strangford Lough Killinchy Co Down Website
Killyleagh Yacht Club
Cuan Beach Strangford Lough Killyleagh Website
Quolie Yacht Club
The Quoile Yacht Club was founded in Downpatrick at the Quoile Quay, on the then tidal Quoile River, in 1954. When, in 1962, the Ministry of Agriculture built a barrier at Castle Island, to alleviate the regular damaging flooding to which Downpatrick was subjected in times of high tide and heavy rain, they agreed to relocate the club to the seaward side of the barrier. The site was excavated and levelled, and a slipway provided. Thus the Club was reborn on its present site, with sheltered deepwater moorings, space for caravans, clubhouse and parking. After 40 years of investment and improvement the Quoile can boast the best facilities on Strangford Lough.
21 Castle Island Road Downpatrick. Co. Down BT30 7LD Telephone:- 028 4461 2266 Club Secretary:- info@quoileyc.com
- The pontoon, Club bar and showers and payphone are available for use by visitors.
- Bar opens Sat. 1700-2300, Sun. 1500-1700, Wed after evening racing.
- The pontoon has water and mains electrical points.
- The pontoon can be very busy at weekends but space can usually be found during weekdays.
- To make the maximum use of the pontoon, boats cannot be left unattended over night, and the maximum time on the loading bay is 1 hour.
- The slipway and quay can be used for drying out, should this be necessary.
- Diesel available from pier head at HW by arrangement.
- The Club would be grateful for a donation for use of the pontoon, electricity and showers.
Navigation
Having entered Strangford Lough the passage to the Quolie Club is straightforward. Keep on a transit between the windmill above Portaferry and the middle of Killyleagh town.
After leaving the moored boats at Killyleagh to starboard, Killyleagh reefs to port, and entering the Quoile river estuary, the first mark to pick up is the ToadStone pole, 54.22.46N, 005.40.03W This pole is left to starboard and has deep water up to the mark.
The next pole, which marks the Gibbs Island / Scotsman pladdy and the entrance to the Quoile moorings, has a crows nest type structure on top and is easily recognised. The Scotsman should also be left to starboard and given a wide berth. Four visitor moorings, in line, lie ahead and are available free of charge.
Places and things to see
- Walking
- Bird watching
- Marine life
