[#2 Ireland – Scotland 2024] From Dublin to Bangor (Belfast Lough)

by Karukinka | May 1, 2024 | Karukinka, Ireland-Scotland 2024, Sailing trips

After a brief stopover in Dún Laoghaire, the official stamp on the passport of the animal Toupie (which gives him the right to travel to the United Kingdom) and the passage of a gale, Milagro and his crew set off again. towards the north, in scattered areas. rain and wind W to SW 4 to 6 Beaufort. Under 2-reef mainsail, 1-reef mizzen and Yankee, Milagro sails at 6.5 knots, leaving the Baily lighthouse in her wake.

In the evening the wind drops seriously and the choice is made to enter Carlington Bay (Carlington Lough, on the border between Ireland and the United Kingdom), to drop anchor in front of the village of Greencastle. The entrance is narrow via the north channel and the markings are not always lit after dark. After a night slalom between the mooring buoys (thanks to the flashlight!), we drop anchor a short distance from a pontoon used by fishermen and maritime pilots dedicated to going up the river to the ports of Warrenpoint and Newry.

The next morning we discovered the ruins of the castle which overlook the village. We learned a few hours later, during the visit, that it was built in the 13th century and that it was the scene of numerous clashes. Around us are green hills and meadows, and a blue sky which contrasts with the weather information from France received from our loved ones: in Nantes, it’s raining!

After britton pancakes and chocolate-banana cake, we set off again to anchor in front of the small port of Kilkeel. No wind and no swell, enough to make us forget that we are sleeping in a boat! The next morning, same thing: calm. We will have the nice surprise, a few days later, to discover that while we were sorting out a small detail on the Mainsail, Stuart Pirie took a beautiful image of Milagro and completed his profile on Marine Traffic!

We choose to move forward despite the absence of wind, the objective being to be in Bangor that same evening. So we go back to the engine near the coast to enjoy the landscape and Damien then devotes himself to replace two reefing lines which crossed each other in the boom. Among the things seen that day, the St John’s Point lighthouse, the entrance to Donnaghadee harbor with its church and colorful houses, large gray dolphins escorting us into Donnaghadee Sound, under a sunset, into Belfast Lough.

After sunset and a brief stop at the diesel pontoon, we moor in the Bangor marina. The next day a strong gale is forecast, we will stay sheltered!