
Dundrum Harbour is located on the northeastern coast of Ireland, at the head of Dundrum Bay, approximately midway between the entrances to Carlingford and Strangford Loughs. The small harbour offers an anchoring pool within a tidal estuary adjacent to the town quay.
The estuary offers complete protection but careful navigation is required for access owing to a tidal restricting sandbar at the entrance plus a narrow estuary access path. Southerly winds make the estuary impassable by creating a heavy sea on the bar. Hence the location is more suitable to shallow-draft vessels and should only be approached on a rising tide, in settled sea conditions with very good visibility.
Keyfacts for Dundrum Harbour
Summary* Restrictions apply
A completely protected location with careful navigation required for access.Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
Haven position
This is about the position of the anchoring pool set in the estuary channel off the town quay.
What is the initial fix?

What are the key points of the approach?
- Use the directions provided for Newcastle Harbour
, for approaches to Dundrum Bay.
- Check that it is safe to pass through Ballykinlar Firing Range before approaching the entrance.
- Find the entrance and cross the sandbar when a sufficient rise of tide is availble.
- Follow the channel into the inner bay and anchor off adjacent to the quay.
Not what you need?
- Newcastle Harbour - 3.8 nautical miles SSW
- Killough Harbour - 7.1 nautical miles E
- Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 8.3 nautical miles E
- Quoile - 9.1 nautical miles NE
- Annalong Harbour - 9.1 nautical miles SSW
- Between Rat & Salt Island - 9.7 nautical miles NE
- Moore’s Point - 9.7 nautical miles NE
- South of Salt Island - 9.9 nautical miles NE
- Brandy Bay - 9.9 nautical miles NE
- Killyleagh - 10.9 nautical miles NE
- Newcastle Harbour - 3.8 miles SSW
- Killough Harbour - 7.1 miles E
- Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 8.3 miles E
- Quoile - 9.1 miles NE
- Annalong Harbour - 9.1 miles SSW
- Between Rat & Salt Island - 9.7 miles NE
- Moore’s Point - 9.7 miles NE
- South of Salt Island - 9.9 miles NE
- Brandy Bay - 9.9 miles NE
- Killyleagh - 10.9 miles NE
How to get in?

Dundrum Harbour is a small tidal harbour that is situated at the head of Dundrum Bay. The head of the bay is composed of sand-hills that are penetrated by a narrow channel which leads into the harbour. This then enters into a hammer-headed tidal bay where Dundrum Quay is located on the north shore of the tidal inlet at the foot of a small round hill. On this hill are the ruins of an old Norman castle which are conspicuous from the bay.
A sandbar with seldom more than 0.3 metres of water on it is situated in front of the channel. The entrance, surrounded by shifting sand, is highly changeable. Neither are marked by any buoys so be prepared to sound all the way in and for grounding on the sand when entering or leaving the harbour. Winds from the west or northwest make approaches subject to sudden heavy squalls from the Mourne Mountains.
Dundrum Harbour should only be approached on a half and rising tide in settled conditions. Vessels awaiting a rising tide may find a temporary outer anchorage off the shoreline just under a mile and a half to the east of the entrance. This is situated 800 metres to the southwest of the always visible and easily identified Craiglea Rock. Do not venture any further east as ‘The Cow and Calf Rocks’, Long Rock and the Pladdies are located here. These are all part of a reef that extends to the southeast of Craiglea Rock and out to a mile from the shoreline.


The entrance is situated three miles in from the initial fix, a mile to the west of Craigalea, and five miles to the west of St. Johns Point. It is for the greater part dry at low water and difficult to approach, so it is advisable to take it slowly, sounding in all the way.

Once in the narrow shallow channel, it leads in a mile and a quarter in a north-northwest direction. At its head pass close to port of the dilapidated post on the south side of the estuary and steer for the quay.

Anchor off in the tidal channel adjacent to the town quay where it is possible to find a pool to anchor in 2.1 metres LWS.
Why visit here?
Dundrum derives its name from its Norman Castle, in Irish Dún Droma, meaning "fort of the ridge", the ruins of which sit dramatically above the town today. It is a beautiful tidal estuary surrounded by sand hills in which the small quiet town nestles.
The town is best known for its castle that is considered to be one of the finest Norman castles in Northern Ireland. It was built shortly before 1210 on an earlier fortified earthwork, from which the place-name element Dún is derived. The stone structure seen today was begun by John de Courcy, who led the 1177 Norman invasion of East Ulster. With commanding views south over Dundrum Bay, the Mourne Mountains, the lands west towards Slieve Croob, plus the eastern plains of Lecale, it steadfastly guarded the Norman’s eastern land route from Drogheda via Greencastle to Downpatrick. In its time Dundrum Castle was described as the most impenetrable fortress in the land. Yet it has a very colourful history being captured on several occasions and partly dismantled by Cromwell's soldiers in the 1650's.


Today Dundrum is a much quieter place. It operates at a steadier pace of life where visitors come to relax. The castle is now a State Care Historic Monument that is a regular destination for tourists and school children and is well worth a visit. The central circular keep, complete with a fine spiral stairway within its walls, fortified gateway and drum towers, all set on a moat and bailey, is still intact and accessible. Ascending the stairs within the keep, albeit a difficult climb that requires some care, is a very worthwhile adventure. The views from the top over the surrounding countryside and out through the entrance channel to Dundrum bay are simply stunning. Visitors should also not overlook a third of a mile woodland walk along the Dundrum Castle Woods Trail.

The Dundrum Coastal Path is a 2.5 km (1.6 miles) stretch of ‘The Lecale Way’ that runs along a disused railway line on the banks on the western shore of Dundrum Inner Bay. It follows the line of the old ‘Belfast and County Down Railway’ and, although potentially muddy after rain, it is relatively level and passes through a variety of terrains that provide many opportunities for bird watching. The Dundrum Coastal Path scenery varies considerably in accord with the level of the tide. High tide is visually stunning, particularly on a clear calm sunny day, when it feels like a riverside walk. At low tide the bay becomes a vast mudflat teaming with birdlife. Consequently, it is worth taking the walk at different tide levels to fully appreciate its many guises.

Walking out of the village to the south quickly takes a visitor to the edges of the National Trust’s ‘Murlough Nature Reserve’. This is a 5,000-year-old sand dune system situated between Dundrum and Newcastle. Comprised of heathland and woodland that is surrounded by the estuary and the sea, it offers a variety of walks through the dunes and out onto beaches. At 697 acres, it is the best and most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes. The varied habitats within the reserve are home to a wide range of animals and plants including badgers, stoats and delicate flowers. The rich wildlife of this area changes with the seasons but there is always something of interest.

Near the entrance to Murlough Nature Reserve is the Slidderyford Dolmen that is a unique experience of itself. This Neolithic portal tomb is composed of four stones, two granite and two slate. It timelessly overlooks the Mournes with its massive granite capstone elegantly resting into one of the portal stones as if held in the palm of a hand.

From a boating perspective, Dundrum Bay is a perfect harbour for the shallow draft vessel and preferably one that can take to the hard. It has everything to hand in a stunningly beautiful location. Indeed, so much so, that it warrants serious consideration for moderate draft vessels to see if they can find a pool to anchor and enjoy this truly lovely location.

What facilities are available?
With a population of just over a thousand there is a small but useful selection of shops, pubs and cafes, plus a variety of dining opportunities that include award winning restaurants. Almost all necessities are immediately available including fuel and a post office. Fresh water is available at the quay where a two tonnes grab crane is also situated.Newcastle which is five miles away is located approximately 25 miles from Belfast, along the A24 road, and approximately 90 miles from Dublin. Newcastle has its own Coach/Bus Station (+44 28 4372 2296). The nearest major railway Station is in Newry just over 25 miles away. Belfast International Airport is 30 miles away and Dublin Airport over 85 miles, taking approximately 2 hours' travelling time.
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred in Dundrum Harbour.With thanks to:
Fred Curran, Custodian of Ardglass Marina. Photography with thanks to Erick Jones, Kenneth ALlen, Eskling, Ian Blaire, Tatchie, Garry Harper, Ardfern, Jamey Cassell and Rogere.

















WWII Ex Gun Boat being towed in to Dundrum Harbour plus high speed channel transits filmed with a handheld camera from a jet ski
A photo montage of Dundrum town and the castle
About Dundrum Harbour
Dundrum derives its name from its Norman Castle, in Irish Dún Droma, meaning "fort of the ridge", the ruins of which sit dramatically above the town today. It is a beautiful tidal estuary surrounded by sand hills in which the small quiet town nestles.

The town is best known for its castle that is considered to be one of the finest Norman castles in Northern Ireland. It was built shortly before 1210 on an earlier fortified earthwork, from which the place-name element Dún is derived. The stone structure seen today was begun by John de Courcy, who led the 1177 Norman invasion of East Ulster. With commanding views south over Dundrum Bay, the Mourne Mountains, the lands west towards Slieve Croob, plus the eastern plains of Lecale, it steadfastly guarded the Norman’s eastern land route from Drogheda via Greencastle to Downpatrick. In its time Dundrum Castle was described as the most impenetrable fortress in the land. Yet it has a very colourful history being captured on several occasions and partly dismantled by Cromwell's soldiers in the 1650's.


Today Dundrum is a much quieter place. It operates at a steadier pace of life where visitors come to relax. The castle is now a State Care Historic Monument that is a regular destination for tourists and school children and is well worth a visit. The central circular keep, complete with a fine spiral stairway within its walls, fortified gateway and drum towers, all set on a moat and bailey, is still intact and accessible. Ascending the stairs within the keep, albeit a difficult climb that requires some care, is a very worthwhile adventure. The views from the top over the surrounding countryside and out through the entrance channel to Dundrum bay are simply stunning. Visitors should also not overlook a third of a mile woodland walk along the Dundrum Castle Woods Trail.

The Dundrum Coastal Path is a 2.5 km (1.6 miles) stretch of ‘The Lecale Way’ that runs along a disused railway line on the banks on the western shore of Dundrum Inner Bay. It follows the line of the old ‘Belfast and County Down Railway’ and, although potentially muddy after rain, it is relatively level and passes through a variety of terrains that provide many opportunities for bird watching. The Dundrum Coastal Path scenery varies considerably in accord with the level of the tide. High tide is visually stunning, particularly on a clear calm sunny day, when it feels like a riverside walk. At low tide the bay becomes a vast mudflat teaming with birdlife. Consequently, it is worth taking the walk at different tide levels to fully appreciate its many guises.

Walking out of the village to the south quickly takes a visitor to the edges of the National Trust’s ‘Murlough Nature Reserve’. This is a 5,000-year-old sand dune system situated between Dundrum and Newcastle. Comprised of heathland and woodland that is surrounded by the estuary and the sea, it offers a variety of walks through the dunes and out onto beaches. At 697 acres, it is the best and most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland, with a network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes. The varied habitats within the reserve are home to a wide range of animals and plants including badgers, stoats and delicate flowers. The rich wildlife of this area changes with the seasons but there is always something of interest.

Near the entrance to Murlough Nature Reserve is the Slidderyford Dolmen that is a unique experience of itself. This Neolithic portal tomb is composed of four stones, two granite and two slate. It timelessly overlooks the Mournes with its massive granite capstone elegantly resting into one of the portal stones as if held in the palm of a hand.

From a boating perspective, Dundrum Bay is a perfect harbour for the shallow draft vessel and preferably one that can take to the hard. It has everything to hand in a stunningly beautiful location. Indeed, so much so, that it warrants serious consideration for moderate draft vessels to see if they can find a pool to anchor and enjoy this truly lovely location.

Other options in this area
Annalong Harbour - 5.6 miles SSW
Kilkeel Harbour - 8.1 miles SSW
Greencastle - 9.9 miles SW
Killowen - 10.1 miles SW
Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 5.2 miles E
Kilclief Bay - 7.2 miles ENE
Cross Roads - 7.3 miles ENE
Strangford Harbour (Strangford Village) - 7.6 miles NE
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Dundrum Harbour.













Detail view | Off |
Picture view | On |
WWII Ex Gun Boat being towed in to Dundrum Harbour plus high speed channel transits filmed with a handheld camera from a jet ski
A photo montage of Dundrum town and the castle
Add your review or comment:
Brian Lennon wrote this review on Aug 26th 2014:
For the bilge keeler who is tempted to dry out alongside the NE or S sides of the old quay in Dundrum, there are deep gullies that could tip a boat over. Drying out to the NE of the pier also has its dangers as there is are some rocks (not marked on the Navionics charts). The old quay now has private dwellings, reducing its usefulness as a pier.
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