What's the story here?

Macamish Bay is a small isolated inlet located on the Fanad Peninsula in the north of Ireland about 3 miles southeast of Knockalla Point. The bay is entered between Lambs Head and Macamish Point a distance of less than a ½ mile. The anchorage lies in the south part of the bay to the west of Macamish Point, with approximately 3 metres depth.

Macamish Bay is sheltered from the southwest through to north and is subject to much less swell than the lough's anchorages further north. It is exposed to easterly winds and to the swell across the Lough which can make life uncomfortable when moored.

How to get in?

Approach details are available in northwestern Ireland’s coastal overview for Erris Head to Malin Head . A useful set of waypoints for the run up lough can be found in the Lough Swilly route .

The bay is easily identified by the conspicuous Macamish Martello Tower which stands on the north end of Macamish Point. The bay itself is bordered by cliffs, has a rock-strewn shoreline and a central rock that is fairly steep too and always shows.

Deeper draft vessels should note that a ledge with 1.7 metres of cover extends northeastward from the rock. Approach from the northeast either side of this ledge and the helm should expect a strong tidal run across the entrance.



The preferred berth is close west of the Martello Tower, between it and the above-water rock in the centre of the bay, where a depth of 5 metres will be found. Alternatively proceed further in towards the beach and anchor according to draft. Another alternative is to the northwest of the rock.

Good sand holding will be found throughout. Land on the beach.

Why visit here?

Macamish Bay is a lovely escape to a shoreline littered with rocky shoals and a clear open sandy beach. The head of the bay is divided by a large rocky outcrop but a dinghy landing on the beach for a picnic or to explore the surroundings is essential.

The most prominent feature of the anchorage is Macamish Fort. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, despite past failures of two French invasions and the suppression of the 1798 Rebellion, the British were convinced that another attempt was forthcoming. Lough Swilly's deep waters facilitated a landing by a large fleet and it would have had widespread support of the local population so it had to be defended. Macamish Fort, completed between 1812 and 1813, was one of several Napoleonic batteries built along the shores of the lough to defend the northwest corner of Ireland.

Set on a rocky outcrop at the head of Macamish Point the Martello Tower was originally entered by a drawbridge. The structure had a single gun on the tower plus a battery covering the lough that mounted three guns. After the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars, the defences were neglected and completely obsolete when the fort was disarmed in the 1860s. The tower is today a private residence, and the land adjoining the beach is part of the 9 hole Otway Golf Club that is one of Ireland’s five oldest links courses, having been there since 1893.




From a sailing point of view, this is one of the finest anchorages in Lough Swilly. As there are no villages on the coast of Macamish Bay the anchorage is usually a quiet, peaceful and uncrowded location. It is a lovely scenic bay in which to drop anchor for an overnight stay before proceeding onwards to busier harbours around the Lough.

What facilities are available?

There are no facilities whatsoever at Macamish Bay and the nearest harbour for re-stocking of provisions is at Rathmullan approximately 2½ miles to the south.

With thanks to:

eOceanic.