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Adjacent Haven NAdjacent Haven SE

Dinish & Furness Islands

Tides and tools
Overview





Dinish Island lies on the outer approaches to Kilkieran Bay that is entred close north of Golam Head which forms the western extreme of the northern shore of Galway Bay. It provides a secluded anchorage with crystal clear waters over sand.

Dinish Island lies on the outer approaches to Kilkieran Bay that is entred close north of Golam Head which forms the western extreme of the northern shore of Galway Bay. It provides a secluded anchorage with crystal clear waters over sand.

Dinish island, along with Furnace island close south, afford good shelter from southerly winds. Access is straightforward at all stages of the tide but requires daylight as the channel leading to the anchorage is encumbered with several rocky patches.


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Keyfacts for Dinish & Furness Islands
Facilities
None listed


Nature
Remote or quiet secluded locationAnchoring locationBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Dangerous to enter when it is Beaufort force 6 or more from N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW and NNW.Note: fish farming activity in the vicinity of this location

Protected sectors

Current wind over the protected quadrants
Minimum depth
3 metres (9.84 feet).

Approaches
5 stars: Safe access; all reasonable conditions.
Shelter
4 stars: Good; assured night's sleep except from specific quarters.



Last modified
June 23rd 2025

Summary

A good location with safe access.

Facilities
None listed


Nature
Remote or quiet secluded locationAnchoring locationBeach or shoreline landing from a tenderScenic location or scenic location in the immediate vicinity

Considerations
Dangerous to enter when it is Beaufort force 6 or more from N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW and NNW.Note: fish farming activity in the vicinity of this location




Position and approaches
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Haven position

53° 15.884' N, 009° 44.973' W

THis is close north of the channel running between Dinish Island and Furness Island, and south of the fish farm.

What is the initial fix?

The following Kilkieran Bay initial fix will set up a final approach:
53° 15.952' N, 009° 46.657' W
This is the position in the North Sound approach to Galway Bay, midway between Dinish Island and Birmore Island


What are the key points of the approach?

Offshore details are available in southwestern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head Route location.


Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Dinish & Furness Islands for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
  1. Kiggaul Bay - 1.8 nautical miles SE
  2. Kilkieran Bay - 3.5 nautical miles N
  3. Greatman's Bay - 3.6 nautical miles ENE
  4. Sruthan Quay - 6.1 nautical miles E
  5. Rossaveel - 6.8 nautical miles E
  6. Kilronan - 9.4 nautical miles SSE
  7. Bertraghboy Bay - 9.5 nautical miles NNW
  8. Gorteen Bay - 9.9 nautical miles NW
  9. Roundstone Bay - 10 nautical miles NW
  10. Caladh Mór Pier - 11.4 nautical miles SSE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
  1. Kiggaul Bay - 1.8 miles SE
  2. Kilkieran Bay - 3.5 miles N
  3. Greatman's Bay - 3.6 miles ENE
  4. Sruthan Quay - 6.1 miles E
  5. Rossaveel - 6.8 miles E
  6. Kilronan - 9.4 miles SSE
  7. Bertraghboy Bay - 9.5 miles NNW
  8. Gorteen Bay - 9.9 miles NW
  9. Roundstone Bay - 10 miles NW
  10. Caladh Mór Pier - 11.4 miles SSE
To find locations with the specific attributes you need try:

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How to get in?
Golam Head with the mountains of Connemara in the backdrop
Image: Graham Rabbits


Dinish island is readily identified by its proximity to Golam Head that forms the western extreme of the northern shore of Galway Bay and is the north point of the entrance to North Sound. The western extremity of a small 24 metres high islet has the conspicuous ruins of a tower on its summit that provides an excellent seamark. The best approach to Kilkieran Bay and the anchorage is through the east entrance to Inner Passage between Golam Head and Eagle Rock.

The key hidden dangers to stand clear of are Ullan Rock, that dries, situated 400 metres southeast of Golam Tower. On the opposite side of the pass is Fairservice Rock, with 0.9 metres of water over it, 350 metres east of Seal Rock which is always visible. On the final approache are the Dinish Shoals, with 1.5 metres of water over them, ¾ of a mile west of Dinish Island.

When clear of the shoal water extending northward from Redflag Islet, a mile west by northwest of Golam Head, the line of bearing 357°T of Cashel Hill, as best seen Admiralty Chart 2096 seen over Birmore Island, passes west of Dinish Shoals. Then the alignment 066°T of the southern extremity of Illauneeragh and Lettermore Hill passes between Birmore Island and Dinish Shoals and northwest of the Bruiser Rock that is situated 200 metres west of Dinish Island.

Round Dinish Point, the northern extremity of Dinish Island, and track southward into the anchoring area.

Haven location Anchor according to draft and conditions over sand.


Why visit here?
This is a very peaceful, beautiful, secluded anchorage with crystal clear waters and sandy bottom. It makes a good location as a base for exploring the rest of Kilkieran Bay


With thanks to:
PETER CRAVEN





Deserted village on nearby island
Image: eOceanic thanks PETER CRAVEN


Deserted village on nearby island
Image: eOceanic thanks PETER CRAVEN


Watchtower on Golam Head
Image: eOceanic thanks PETER CRAVEN
About Dinish & Furness Islands

This is a very peaceful, beautiful, secluded anchorage with crystal clear waters and sandy bottom. It makes a good location as a base for exploring the rest of Kilkieran Bay

Other options in this area


Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Kilkieran Bay - 2.2 miles N
Bertraghboy Bay - 5.9 miles NNW
Roundstone Bay - 6.2 miles NW
Gorteen Bay - 6.1 miles NW
Bunowen Bay - 9.7 miles WNW
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Kiggaul Bay - 1.1 miles SE
Greatman's Bay - 2.2 miles ENE
Sruthan Quay - 3.8 miles E
Rossaveel - 4.2 miles E
Spiddle - 9.9 miles E

Navigational pictures


These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Dinish & Furness Islands.







A photograph is worth a thousand words. We are always looking for bright sunny photographs that show this haven and its identifiable features at its best. If you have some images that we could use please upload them here. All we need to know is how you would like to be credited for your work and a brief description of the image if it is not readily apparent. If you would like us to add a hyperlink from the image that goes back to your site please include the desired link and we will be delighted to that for you.


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Please note eOceanic makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not visited this haven and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site.




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