Protected sectors

How to get in?

The 'Erris Head to Malin Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northeast bound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southwest bound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Aughris Hole is situated on the southern shore of Sligo Bay, located immediately to the east of Aughris Head, in County Sligo, on the west coast of Ireland.

Aughris Hole is a small inlet, open to the north, which lies between Dromore Bay and Ballysadare Bay, and provides shelter in offshore winds from the southeast to the southwest, but is subject to heavy groundswell in winds from the west particularly with the flood.

Having given Aughris Head a wide berth to avoid the fringing rocks along the coast, the shore is clean to the stone quay in Aughris Hole. This is used by the local fishermen, and off which there is an anchorage in 2.7 metres in sand and stones. The quay gives no protection from the troublesome west winds and no yacht should attempt to go alongside, but in calm conditions it is suitable for a dinghy landing and has an improved slipway alongside. It is advisable to anchor well over towards the west shore in order to avoid detached rocks which extend some distance from Carrickfadda on the east side of the entrance. At low water a ridge of stone and rock protects the anchorage from the east, but it is important to note that submerged rocks extend halfway from this ridge to the west shore.

Why visit here?

Aughris, Irish : Eachrois meaning 'point of the horses', is a small settlement on the western shore of Aughris Bay. Now largely abandoned, the tiny clachan-type village is located close to the coast and the remaining houses cluster near to the harbour and the pub. A clachan is a type of small traditional settlement usually defined as lacking a church, post office or other formal building, that most likely dates from medieval times and which is usually a cluster of small single storey cottages used by fishermen and farmers.

The small harbour is used by the local inshore fishermen, and the olde worlde traditional Irish pub is situated on unspoiled Aughris Beach with the Atlantic waves rolling in facing the front door and the Ox mountains overlooking the rear, whilst the peaks of Knocknarea and Benbulben complete for attention to the east. The pub with its thatched roof is a popular watering hole for the many keen anglers and walkers who visit the area.

The Aughris Cliff Walk is a 3 mile walk following a clearly defined path along an imposing cliff wall that offers amazing views. On the way you will see St. Patrick's well, and a variety of sea birds nesting on the cliff face, and although not a long walk it's great for a blast of clean fresh air.

Aughris Hole is ideal for a lunch time stop in suitable conditions, with the opportunity to get off the boat for a bracing walk and a spot of lunch and a drink at the pub. There are no other facilities available at this location, but the nearby villages of Skreen, Templeboy, and Dromore West on the main road have shops and a post office.

The West Sligo area is the part of County Sligo bordered by the Ox Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, and is still part of the unspoilt North West which has so far escaped the over development and rapid urbanisation experienced by the more populous regions of Ireland. Sligo is a microcosm of all that Ireland has to offer, cliffs, mountains, lakes, lush green fields and boglands, and despite its proximity to both Ballina and Sligo City, West Sligo is a collection of delightful communities and villages along the Atlantic coastline which have retained all their charm and authenticity throughout centuries of political turmoil and change, and recent economic growth.

What facilities are available?

there are no facilities at this location except for the pub and restaurant. Further along the main road at the villages of Templeboy and Dromore West there are shops for provisions, a post office and a petrol filling station adjacent to a supermarket.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research.