Overwintering in Ireland

Kilrush Marina

Until recently, there were few choices of where to overwinter a yacht in Ireland, especially on the west coast. Slowly, options are opening up but they still necessitate careful planning. Overwintering in the water and on the hard are both options in some places. Ireland has a temperate climate and, although it can be miserably wet and windy in the winter, it generally does not freeze. The east coast has more facilities but is also considerably more expensive. In many places on the west coast, cranes are used to lift boats out rather than Travelhoists. 

EU but not Schengen

Many people don't realize that Ireland is a member of the EU but not a signatory of the Schengen agreement. Therefore, overwintering in Ireland could possibly satisfy the Schengen Visa restrictions. The Visa reads: "The Uniform Schengen Visa stands for a permit of one of the Schengen Area Member Countries to transit or reside in the desired territory for a certain period of time up to the maximum of 90 days every six month period starting from the date of entry." 

Aleria in Galway


East Coast

  • North of Dublin, Malahide Marina offers full-service berths, but no hardstand.
  • Howth Yacht Club offers full marina services, good club facilities, and winter racing. The club operates a 15-tonne crane for liftout and has a hardstand.
  • South of Dublin, Dun Laoghaire Marina offers reduced rates for winter and excellent access into Dublin for boats that want to remain in the water. Yachts Clubs in town, DMYC, RIYC, RStGYC and NYC, offer their members storage on their own hard standing but space is limited.
  • Greystones Marina offers in water and on land overwintering in beautiful County Wicklow. 
  • The 'Marina' at Waterford is actually a few pontoons near the city centre. Waterford Marina is reasonable and in the city centre so transport is convenient. But in 2020, construction on the waterfront caused the closure of the marina. 

South Coast 

  • New Ross Boatyard in Kinsale has limited space if you want to lift out. 
  • Outside the town of Kinsale, Kinsale Boatyard have good lift out crane and storage, and good for engine etc. maintenance.  It is possible to overwinter in the water at several boatyards in Crosshaven, including RCYC and Crosshaven Boatyard where there are excellent mechanics. 
  • East Ferry Marina in Cork Harbour is well sheltered and probably a bit more reasonable than the other marinas in Cork Harbour. Also likely to have availability.
Mooney's in Killybegs, Donegal
West Coast
  • O'Donovan's Oldcourt Boatyard, up the Ilen river from Baltimore, has a 70-ton Travelhoist and full services. Access may be constrained by draft. 
  • Lawrence Cove Marina in Bantry Bay offers limited winter layup facilities. 
  • Kilrush Marina on the Shannon River is a nice place to leave the boat but not necessarily a convenient place to remain with it. The town is small, and there is limited public transport, but it does have proximity to Shannon Airport. They do have now a very nice and secure marina that has been significantly upgraded and a 40-ton Travelhoist. Winter in the water or out. The management is efficient and pleasant, and they offer discounts to members of major sailing organisations. One of the best shipwrights in Ireland is resident there. 
  • There will come a time when Galway will be the place to overwinter in Ireland. Being in the heart of the very vibrant old city and college town with good road and transportation links (rail, bus, air) is an enticing proposition. Galway Bay is easy to access and central in location. The old commercial harbour, despite offering finger piers and electricity at the docks now, lacks in other facilities -- there are no toilets or showers, no laundry, and no fuel dock. Overwintering the boat is possible, but people are not permitted to live aboard in the harbour. There are no showers or toilets and no reliable haulout facilities. The new marina in process of approval and development will change all that. Yachting will have its own location far away from the commercial operations, making it a cleaner and better-appointed proposition. But it will be several years before that plan becomes a reality. 
  • Rossaveal at the NW end of Galway Bay has a small craft harbour in which it is possible to lay up a boat for the winter in the water. There are limited facilities at present. 
  • Killybegs used to be unfavourably disposed to "yachties" but all that has changed with the construction of a 64-berth pontoon. It is classified as a small craft harbour not a marina as it does not have the attached facilities. Haulout is available in Killybegs at Mooney's Boats. They have a 75-ton Travelhoist, a chandlery, and exceptional metalworks but limited services for yachts. 
On the hard in Kilrush

Haulout in Kilrush


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