Boat to Irelands Eye at this time of year. (Jan, Feb, March)

oldscoil

Hi Folks,

Does anyone know if you can get to Irelands Eye at the time of the year.

Irelands Eye Ferries don’t seem to start until April http://www.islandferries.net/index.html , however I could’ve sworn I saw a passenger boat going out to the Island a few weeks ago from Howth Harbour.

I would really love to go over in the next two weeks.

Anyone got any info?

Thanks in advance Folks.

Pigeon Reaper

The only way to get over there is by private boat at this time of the year. The boat you saw may have been a race commitee boat from the yacht club or small crab boat.

tricky D

Pigeon Reaper is pretty much right.

Pix of the boat are on this page: http://www.islandferries.net/theboat.html

The boat is out of the water for the winter. It's not on its mooring at the moment.

bluestrattos

Sorry to dig this up, but can you get a little inflatable boat or a kayak, and just row yourself towards Ireland's Eye ?
From Portmaknock beach to the Ireland's eye beach.
I've been asking around, but I can't get a straight answer.
If Boards.ie fail to provide an answer as well, Irish Coast Guard will be my next step

The Hill Billy

An inflatable boat? That would be ridiculous, not to mention downright dangerous.
I'm also guessing that you are not a competent kayaker either.
So in answer to your question I would say No.

ElleEm

I thought Ireland's Eye was closest to Howth, not Portmarnock.

Wouldn't reckon it'd be safe to go over yourself, rowing would be ridiculous.
I have been over there a couple of times, on a boat with an engine from Howth, and it still takes about 20 mins. The sea is very choppy and it is very hard to actually "pull up" to Ireland's Eye.

bluestrattos

The Hill Billy wrote: »

An inflatable boat? That would be ridiculous, not to mention downright dangerous.
I'm also guessing that you are not a competent kayaker either.
So in answer to your question I would say No.

Thanks for the straight answer
Actually seems close, like 2km, and because it's close to shore, I assume the sea wouldn't be too bad.

But I'll get the proper boat like everyone else.

Just a quick question: would it be legal to do it (even if it was stupid/dangerous) ?

Dizzyblonde

As far as I know Ireland's Eye is now the responsibility of Fingal Co. Council so you'd have to check with them, but as far as I know you don't need permission to go over. People just pay to be brought unless they can make their own way over.

One thing to consider if you decide to row over, is whether it's nesting season for the gulls. They can be quite vicious and a few years ago a woman visiting the island with her boyfriend was attacked and injured by them http://www.herald.ie/news/woman-attacked-by-birds-1397938.html

tricky D

No permission is required for access.

Going over by inflatable is total madness as they get blown off course very easily as a pair of muppets found out last year. They got saved by the inshore lifeboat before they drifted beyond the Nose of Howth which would have had them in big trouble. There's also a strong current up to 6 knots.

Kayaking is fine if the weather is fair but definitely not to be done alone and only with someone experienced.

Apart from Island Ferries there's also 2 other boats for hire:
http://www.howth-boats.com
and
http://www.boattripshowth.com/

bluestrattos

Thanks for the quick answer and the links for the boats.
About that woman that was attacked by seagulls, my mind just jumped into the Hitchcock's classic "The Birds".

Again, thanks for the replies and I can assure you I don't intend to show up in RTE News at 9

fergal.b

There can be very strong currents and tides out there so I would not risk it if I had little knowledge of boats and water. You could try one of the sea safari's http://www.seasafari.ie/About/index.aspx or http://www.howth-boats.com/howth-boat-trips.php I don't think they land on it but will give you a spin around it and they are a lot of fun The http://www.islandferries.net/booking.html start in june so you don't have that long to wait if you want to land on it.

tbh

bluestrattos wrote: »

Thanks for the quick answer and the links for the boats.
About that woman that was attacked by seagulls, my mind just jumped into the Hitchcock's classic "The Birds".

Again, thanks for the replies and I can assure you I don't intend to show up in RTE News at 9

I did my competency certs right in the middle of howth/irelands eye/malahide and I promise you, you don't want to be out there in a kayak - very strong currents and massive swells with even a hint of wind.

tricky D

tbh wrote: »

I did my competency certs right in the middle of howth/irelands eye/malahide and I promise you, you don't want to be out there in a kayak - very strong currents and massive swells with even a hint of wind.

There's a few group kayaking expeditions on weekends and some evenings, including half day courses, so it is quite doable.

http://www.shearwaterseakayaking.ie are the organisers.

tbh

tricky D wrote: »

tbh wrote: »

I did my competency certs right in the middle of howth/irelands eye/malahide and I promise you, you don't want to be out there in a kayak - very strong currents and massive swells with even a hint of wind.

There's a few group kayaking expeditions on weekends and some evenings, including half day courses, so it is quite doable.

http://www.shearwaterseakayaking.ie are the organisers.

Sorry - typo. When I said the last you I meant I

cbreeze

Was heading out of howth marina last weekend and saw groups of kayakers around ireland's eye - better to travel there in a group for safety's sake or get the ferry - avoid going too far inland at this time of year because of the nesting gulls