Owey Island is an island of the North Atlantic Ocean located off the northwest coast of Ireland, just a short distance northwest of Cruit Island. Owey is a popular island with summer holiday homes that provides sailors with the opportunity for a landing at a slipway in a small cove at its northern end.

The small cove affords good shelter and is unaffected by weather in all reasonable conditions. Daylight access is recommended with attentive navigation required to avoid dangerous off lying rocks, especially if circumnavigating the island.

There is a strong tidal stream to the northwest of the island causing a race when setting against the wind, also a westerly eddy runs during the east going stream to the north of the island.

Keyfacts for Owey Island

Position and approaches

Haven position

55° 3.196' N, 008° 26.382' W

this is the position at the slipway landing place on Owey Island.

What is the initial fix?

this is the position in the North Atlantic Ocean midway between Owey Island and Gola Island.

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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.

Owey Island in Irish : Ulaigh meaning caves, is a pleasant island well worth a visit, square shaped and tilted a bit anticlockwise with granite sea cliffs all along its northern half, and which is separated from Cruit Island by Owey Sound.

To the northwest of Owey lie the Stag Rocks, and between them and Owey runs a strong tidal stream causing a race when setting against the wind. Also if circumnavigating the island take note that a westerly eddy runs during the main east going stream, just to the north of Owey.

The landing place for the island is at a slipway on the east side in a small sheltered cove at the northern end of the Owey Sound narrows, opposite Cruit Island. The slipway is easily found coming from the north but can be missed if coming from the south as the cove opens east northeast and is low lying. Tidal streams in Owey Sound turn with the tide by the shore, or half an hour later, flowing very strongly and can cut up very rough in big winds.

Why visit here?

Owey was once home to almost 100 islanders but this population had reduced to about 30 by the time the last islanders left in 1974, finally driven out by the decline in fishing stocks and the extremely hard life. After having lain deserted for over 25 years, Owey is now enjoying a new lease of life with some of the old deserted cottages being renovated and at least one new house being built. To facilitate this, the first ever tractor was brought over to Owey by raft in 2005, to much local excitement. Although the island does not have any permanent residents, the properties are used extensively during the summer as holiday homes, and are occupied by many whose ancestors originally hailed from the island.

All the buildings on the island sit on the south of it facing Cruit, the north of the island being too barren and rocky for homes and being too exposed to the gales coming in from the North Atlantic Ocean. During the holiday season the harbour, or “spink” as it is known locally is often crowded with boats of both day-trippers and owners of the cottages. There is no mains water or electricity on Owey and the islanders have to rely on gas light and water from spring wells.

The island's name means “Caves” and sure enough there is a through cave with a right angle turn going through the island's northern tip. There is a passage on the northwest side of the island which is entered from the land, leading to a large underground cavern. There are also deep sea caves along the northeastern side including one with connecting chambers.

Being a little over 300 acres, Owey makes an interesting place to wander over with many interesting features, assuming the weather is set fair for a landing. There are unfortunately no facilities on the island but it makes a good picnic spot or lunch break before moving on.

What facilities are available?

there are no facilities available at this location.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research. Photography with thanks to Louise Price and Joseph Mischyshyn.