Killowen is located on the northeastern shore of the Carlingford Lough inlet that is set into Ireland's northeast coastline. It offers an anchorage and a place to pick up moorings off a small village plus the facilities of a local yacht club.

The anchorage offers good protection in the sheltered Carlingford Lough. However, if the wind comes on strong from northwest round to south, it would be more comfortable in the marina on the southern shore. Protection can be sought from a northeasterly by tucking in under the mountain at Wood House half a mile along the coast to the north of Killowen Point. The entire inlet is also subject to heavy squalls descending from the hills in northwest winds. Killowen may be accessed via Warrenpoint Port’s illuminated deep water shipping channel that runs the entire length of the lough. Careful navigation is generally required for this location owing to exceptional currents in the lower lough and at the entrance.

Keyfacts for Killowen

Position and approaches

Haven position

54° 4.555' N, 006° 11.390' W

Approximately three hundred metres west of the Carlingford Lough Yacht Club on Killowen point.

What is the initial fix?

500 metres due south of Hellyhunter, a south cardinal buoy Q(6) +FL1.15s. From here the line of the entrance’s leading light beacons may be picked up.

What are the key points of the approach?

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How to get in?

Killowen is a small village based at the foot of the forested Slieve Martin, where the Mountains of Mourne terminate approaching the head on the north-eastern shore of Carlingford Lough inlet.

Use the directions provided for Warrenpoint for approaches and the run up the lough.

After passing south of Killowen Point and the No. 23 green starboard buoy, it will be tempting to turn up for Killowen. However, at low water, there is a shallow area of water that extends west of the Killowen Bank and it is best to continue on to the midpoint between the No. 23 and No. 25 Light buoys, the latter marks the entrance to the buoyed Warrenpoint approach channel, before turning north for the anchorage.

No. 25 Green Light buoy – Fl. G 3s position: 54° 04.200’N, 006° 12.100’W

The anchoring position will make itself readily known by the local vessels moored off Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. Come up on the outside of these vessels and anchor approximately 300 metres offshore. Vessels that can take to the ground can practically anchor anywhere in this locality.

If the wind comes on strong from northeast round to southeast you would be more comfortable in the marina on the southern shore. However, as mentioned above, protection can be sought from a northeasterly by tucking in under the mountain at ‘Wood House’ half a mile along the coast to the north of Killowen Point. The Wood House is a historical building that is easily identified by its gables and chimney. Here you will find better depths closer to the shore with 2 LWS metres available approximately 400 metres from the building on a bearing of 45°.

The Yacht Club has set in place six substantial club moorings that are marked and made available for visitors. The hire rate for boats is £10 per day or part thereof, and there is a reduced weekly rate of £50.

Land at the slip outside Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. If landing at LWS, be prepared to lift your motor and use oars to come in the last length.

Why visit here?

Killowen derives its name from the Irish Cill Eoghain, meaning 'Owen's Church'. It is spelled in many different ways "Eoghain's church", Cill Eoin, or alternatively Cill Abhainn.

The church that provided the village with its name has been difficult to locate. A 1609 map of Ulster indicates a church in this district near the Cassy water. But this is most likely the old church that gives its name to the townland of Kilfeaghan, Cill Fhelchin meaning `Fechin's Church'. This was named after the 7th-century Irish saint Saint Féchín or Féichín who died in 665. Though there is no trace of it today, old people once called it "Seanchill or Shankill that means `Old Church'.

Lewis, writing in 1836, speaks of the remains of the old church of Killowen in his time and he puts them on a par with the ruins of the former parish church in Kilbroney. But it is thought that these remains must have occupied the old site in Kilfeaghan and the position of the church that provided Killowen with its name remains a mystery. The first post-Reformation church in Killowen district was erected in 1779 and is now used as a school. The first stones of Killowen’s current ‘Church of the Sacred Heart’ were only laid in 1870 and it was opened in 1872. Whatever the case Killowen’s history goes back much further to megalithic times for this is an ancient part of the country.

This is well evidenced by the Kilfeaghan Dolmen located about two km from Killowen. This prehistoric dolmen site shows human inhabitation existed here between 3000 and 4500 years. The portal tomb stands in farmland on the eastern slopes of Knockshee overlooking the Lough. Its gigantic capstone measures at least 2.5 metres long and is about 1.5 metres thick. Known locally as “The Big Fella” the capstone is estimated to weigh between 35 and 40 tons and is said to be one of the biggest in Ireland. Beneath this enormous capstone two portal stones have partly sunk into the ground bearing this weight through the centuries. The tomb’s chamber faces north and the cairn is believed to have extended further northward. Excavations at the site earlier this century unearthed various bones and pottery.

Another prehistoric site was discovered by chance on the shore of the loch near Killowen in 1976. Unearthed in advance of a road widening scheme the Ballinran Court Tomb, sometimes known as the Giant's Grave, was situated close to the shore of Carlingford Lough. The tomb had a very long gallery, over 12 metres long, aligned north-south, opening onto an approximately circular forecourt at its north end. No traces survived of the cairn or any kerb or revetment. One of the two portal-stone sockets still contained the fractured stump of the stone which had stood in it. No burial deposits could be found in situ, although some cremated bones, presumably human, and three primary flint flakes were found.

From a boating perspective, the small village provides another excellent anchoring location on the lough. Its primary attraction are the excellent facilities provided by Carlingford Lough Yacht Club.

What facilities are available?

Carlingford Lough Yacht Club has a bar and shower facilities that are available when it is open. They are more than helpful and delighted to assist visiting boatmen. Please do return the compliment by providing custom to their bar etc. Minor repairs can be undertaken here or at nearby Rostrevor and Warrenpoint.

Two miles away Rostrevor village has a population of 2500, and is popular among holiday-makers so expect to find almost all provisioning necessities there. Nearby Warrenpoint has excellent road links and bus services available to Carlingford/Cooley as well as the major population centres of Ireland. International air services are available from Belfast airport 96 km. Minor repairs can be undertaken.
Useful transport contacts in this area:
Dundalk Train Station + 353 42 933 5521
Dundalk Bus Station + 353 42 9334075
Newry Bus Station + 44 28 30623531
Newry Train Station + 44 28 30269271

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at Killowen and Carlingford Lough Yacht Club.

With thanks to:

Charlie Kavanagh ISA/RYA Yachtmaster Instructor/Examiner and Henry McLaughlin Carlingford Lough Yacht Club secretary. Photography with thanks to P Flannagan, Garry Harper and Eric Jones.