Celtic Seminar 2 - An Introduction to Cruising the East and North Coasts of Ireland - Norman Kean

Norman Kean, Editor of the Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions and frequent contributor to YM will take you on a journey along the coast line he knows and loves   -  from Tuskar Rock off the SE corner of Ireland to Erris Head via the Irish Sea and North Channel. This is a very mixed cruise, starting in the Irish Seam, in the lee of Ireland, the waters are well sheltered, have well spaced harbours and marinas taking in the capital city, Dublin, famous for its history and nightlife. From there we have the opportunity to explore Carlingford Lough on the border with Northern Ireland and the amazing sheltered ing ground which is Strangford Lough, and then to Belfast Lough and the capital city, Belfast - home of Harland and Wolff, builders of the Titanic. From Belfast Lough we leave the Irish Sea via the North Channel and head past Fair Head and through the lively Rathlin Sound, stopping off at either the pontoons on Rathlin Island where we can enjoy walks around the island, see the seals in Mill Bay and visit the sea-bird centre; or head for the high life of Ballycastle with its sheltered marina and which boasts some of the best fish and chips in the British Isles, fresh from their own boats.

As we head westward out of Rathlin Sound things change, we are becoming exposed to the Atlantic but there are attractions, we pass the Giant's Causeway and Lough Foyle and so back into the Republic. From there it across Donegal Bay and so to Erris Head where we ended our cruise last week.

This will take place on Thursday 28th January at 19.00 and is the second of 5 sessions of an online Celtic Seminar which is intended to provide information and background for those members considering a cruise in the area. The format of the talks will be a presentation of 40-60 minutes by a speaker who is very familiar with the area followed by the opportunity to ask questions or start a discussion taking the total meeting time to ~90 minutes. Norman Kean, the speaker for this talk is the editor of the Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions and so we could not be in better hands.

This will be an online meeting using Zoom, open to members, including Crewing Service members, only, and so you will need to be logged in to see the instructions on how to register for the meeting.