Protected sectors

What's the story here?

Kilkeel Harbour is a small artificial harbour that extends 600 metres inland from its pierhead. The harbour consists of a drying outer harbour that is connected to an inner basin by a narrow walled channel. It is a major fishing port that services about 100 fishing vessels, which is the largest fishing fleet in Northern Ireland. The town of Kilkeel is situated close northwest of the harbour.



Kilkeel is not set up for leisure vessels but leisure craft are permitted to use the harbour provided berthing space is available. This can present a challenge owing to space constrictions and the high level of fishing activity, particularly so in the evenings when its active fishing vessels return. So finding a berth will be an issue but boats are usually accommodated. Although there are pontoons at the head of the inner harbour these are normally shallow and fully occupied by small open fishing craft. The most likely berth will be rafted up to a fishing boat.




The access channel to Kilkeel has a maintained depth of 1.5 metres LAT but outside the harbour entrance, there is a moving sandbar that can reduce depths to 1.2 metres LWS, so vessels operating on the margins should make enquiries. The inner harbour has 1.3 metres LAT but 2 metres can be expected MLWS. Any vessels carrying a draft of 1.5 metres, or greater, should make the approach at about ±2 hours of low water to be safe.




These expectations have to be moderated after a southwest gale which causes a sandbank to build outside the harbour entrance. It can reduce the access depth to 1 metre or less. The natural flow of the Kilkeel River clears a shallow channel through this. But this takes time and after such weather conditions. So seek advice as to the degree of silting that has occurred if a visit is following a southwest gale and plan to work the tides accordingly. In all events at least 3 metres over the bank is a fair expectation at half-tide.

For all these reasons it is essential that the harbour master be contacted in advance of arrival on [VHF] Ch 12 or 14, +44 28 417 62287, +44 77 0257 3879 during normal working hours are Mon - Fri 8 am to 4.30 pm, Sat 8 am to 12 noon, excluding Sundays and Statutory Holidays.

How to get in?

Seaward approaches are detailed in eastern Ireland’s coastal overview for Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay . The small fishing port is situated 3.2 miles northeast of Cranfield Point at the entrance to Carlingford Lough. Vessels approaching from the south will find the coast from Carlingford Lough for the most part composed of low ranges of clay cliffs, based on a foreshore of rocks and boulders. This is backed by the lofty summits of the Mourne Mountains. Tracking a path in line, or immediately outside Hellyhunter and the Kilkeel Bay Buoy, clears all dangers of which the majority are situated off the Cranfield Point area.

Kilkeel Bay Buoy – Outfall buoy Fl.(4).Y.12s position: 54° 3.252' N 005° 58.573' W




Vessels approaching from the north should keep 500 metres off the shoreline, and/or in no less than 10 metres of water, to the low-lying Lee Stone Point situated about 600 metres to the northeast of the harbour entrance. The point has a rocky beach with a huge granite boulder at its extremity.




From Lee Stone to Kilkeel the shoreline becomes foul and it is advisable to keep at least 1,200 metres off. Steering to pass close east of the Kilkeel Bay Buoy clears all dangers.





From the Kilkeel initial fix, track in on the harbour’s recommended initial approach line of bearing 341° T to the head of the South Pier and a ½ mile out. A good mark for finding the pierhead is the conspicuous red brick coastguard station with a white flagstaff situated approximately 300 metres west by northwest of the South Pier light.

At night there is a sectored light at the head of South Pier providing an initial approach from seaward in a white sector of 313°–017°T. The South Pier is lighted Fl WR 2 sec, Meeney's Pier, the North Breakwater behind, Fl G.36m4M.




When closing in on the South Pier alter course to the starboard until the side of the pierhead opens and track in a northwestward direction into the harbour for the last 100 metres. Stay close to the pierhead of South Pier and then between the heads of South Pier and Meeney's Pier, a breakwater on the north side.



Then the course turns immediately west and then northwest into the harbour. The entire area on the north side of the channel, behind Meeney's Pier, or breakwater, dries and is rarely used. Continuing past this northwestward up the harbour taking the 13-metre wide walled channel that leads to Meeney's Dock, or the Old Dock.




This is a small basin with a slipway at its head which provides for turning room and the potential to come alongside if so directed.




Continuing past Meeney's Dock the channel widens and then a 12-metre wide opening leads into the Inner Harbour at the northwest end. The Inner Harbour has depths of at least 2 metres LWS with some deeper holes.




Berth as directed by the harbour master. The most likely berth will be alongside the southwest wall or rafted up to a fishing boat there.




The northeast side of the inner harbour has extensive fish processing plants and should not be used by leisure craft.

Why visit here?

Kilkeel takes its name from its Irish name 'Cill Chaoil' meaning 'narrow church'. This refers to the ruined 14th-century church that stands in the centre of Kilkeel overlooking the town today. The ruin was constructed by a noble Spanish family in 1388 and dedicated to 'St Colman Del Mourne'. Although Kilkeel was very sparsely populated in the Middle Ages this was thought to be one of the area’s principal churches.




References to Kilkeel however date back as far as the 11th century and within the site of the church is an early Christian ring fort. At this time Kilkeel was known as the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mourne. It is still called the capital and there are many historic sites in and around the area. The modern settlement encountered today only began to take shape in the late 18th and early 19th century when Viscount Kilmorey laid out the Square and established a church, a Presbyterian meeting house, a market house and a hotel.




The settlement was initially concentrated around this square, and the Newry and Greencastle Street junction. This was unusual, as although located directly adjacent to the coast Kilkeel's central development was concentrated inland. It was only after the establishment of the new harbour in the second half of the 19th century did Kilkeel expand to become an important fishing port and centre for the export of agricultural produce and granite. The development of the pier and dock resulted in the expansion of the town along arterial routes to the coast. Further expansion occurred in Kilkeel after 1950 when the agricultural land between the harbour and town centre, stretching from Manse Road to Rooney Road, was developed for housing and a large recreational area was created along the seafront.




Today the town has taken on a coastal setting around the harbour. Two rivers flow through the town leading to the harbour, namely the Aughrim River, also known as the Little Kilkeel River, and Kilkeel River. There is farming in and around this picturesque harbour settlement, but its most important occupation is undoubtedly fishing. This is the main County Down fishing harbour and it hosts the largest fishing fleet in Northern Ireland. Overlooking all of this is the Nautilus Centre, where visitors may dine, or purchase freshly caught seafood, and enjoy its heritage exhibition.




A local heritage trail helpfully guides visitors around the various local attractions. This embraces many ancient monuments that include the church and St Colman's graveyard situated to the west of Newcastle Street and north of Bridge Street. The cemetery was used for burials until 1916. The last burials at the cemetery were victims of a collision between two steamers the Retriever and the SS Connemara in Carlingford Lough.




Kilkeel's immediate surrounds are characterised by open, flat and stonewalled countryside. Occasional large clusters of mature trees, associated with historic parks or gardens, can also be seen, and smaller clumps of mature trees surround established farm groups or older houses. All of this has a stunning northern backdrop provided by the Mourne Mountains that are made more than accessible by the Mourne Rambler and Kilkeel Rambler bus services. These make circuits of the mountains with many stops.




The Mourne Mountains provide excellent walks and particularly so around the pretty Silent Valley Reservoir. The Silent Valley Reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne Mountains and is the main water supply source for most of County Down and a large part of Belfast. Ringed by mountains and situated approximately 6.5 km (4 miles) from Kilkeel, 'The Valley', is set within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and features beautiful parkland, lakes and a pond. It attracts around 50,000 visitors per year most of whom come to enjoy the peace and solitude of this mountain area with its unique landscapes and varied wildlife. Northern Ireland Water has provided many visitor facilities at the site including a restaurant and information centre housed in two old colonial-style bungalows that provide delightful views over the parkland.




From a boating point of view, Kilkeel is not specifically set up for leisure vessels. But if a berth is available the harbour’s location, being less than an hour from the Carlingford Lough's entrance, makes it a very helpful staging point to acquire a favourable approach tide. In addition to this, it has excellent provisioning with complete protection.




And, should a berth be available for a few days the town has plenty of interesting with beautiful surroundings, which makes it a truly attractive destination of its own.

What facilities are available?

Diesel fuel by tanker, fresh water and gas are all available at the harbour, and most other provisions can be had from the town of Kilkeel situated three-quarters of a mile from the harbour. With a population in excess of 6000, it has supermarkets, shops, Post Office, banks, ATM's, pubs, restaurants, internet access, doctors, and a chandlery. Showers, café and seafood meals are available at the Nautilus Centre overlooking the harbour. Hotels, pubs and laundry are all available in the immediate vicinity. Kilkeel lifeboat station operates an inshore B class Atlantic 21 lifeboat.



Being the major fishing port on this side of the coast, all repairs can be undertaken except for sail work. There is a 350 tonnes capacity slip; two patent 150 tonnes capacity slips at the head of the old dock; plus a 10 tonnes crane. Belfast international airport is 96 km away.

Any security concerns?

Kilkeel is a completely open harbour where normal security precautions should be attended to.

With thanks to:

Michael Young - Harbour Master Kilkeel and Thomas Cunningham - Harbour Master for Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission.