Falmouth UK to Largs via Ireland?

[Hobiehobie]

Ahoy uk sailors. US registered boat just arrived in Falmouth from New York. Planning on heading to Largs in the autumn. First stop Isles of Scilly but looking for advice on how to bounce up the UK and Irish coasts to make it to Largs by early October using day sails when possible, experiencing nice anchorages with the best of British/Irish hospitality. And good pubs!

Out first instinct is to go IOS to Cork and stay on the east coast of Ireland until crossing back to Scotland from Northern Ireland. Hoping someone with local knowledge can list us some stops in geographical order that will take us to some memorable places and offer good stops in the Sept/Oct timeframe.

We are 16 m LOA, 2.2 m draft.

[psk125]

We hopped up the Irish coast after our crossing from Connecticut. We put in at Kinsale (very pretty town), Crosshaven (Royal Cork YC there is great. Cork is an industrial port. The yacht harbor for it is Crosshaven.) Wicklow (OK) Arklow (OK) Rosslare (crowded, ferry wakes & traffic) Dun Laoghhaire (Royal Irish YC somewhat snooty) Howth (much friendlier) and Strangford Logh (crazy current in & out, with 30' whirlpools, but beautiful area) before crossing over to Dunoon in Scotland. Be sure to ship fender boards for the stone quays. The boat we were on, an Ohlson 38, was a bit smaller than yours.

[Hobiehobie]

That is great information. Thank you PSK125! Any other input from the forum. Should we consider bouncing to isle of man, Wales ( I did my doctorate in Bangor, North Wales so sentimental, but tidal and shallow!!). Any other Irish hotspots before crossing to Scotland?

[Hobiehobie]

And any recommendations on best pilot books for that part of the world? I know we need to get “Bob’s” Antares charts for Scotland.

[psk125]

We stopped at Man and the Scillies after Scotland, en route to France (Royan, Arcachon, St.Jean de Luz). Man was interesting. Stone walls everywhere. Scillies quite peaceful, undeveloped.

[AedanC]

Scilies-Kilmore Quay-Arklow-Dun Laoghaire-Howth/Malahide-Carlingford-Ardglass-Bangor-Glenarm-Largs.

Irish Cruising Club Guides for Ireland and Clyde Cruising Club for Scotland. Antares charts are fantastic but only really required if going further N than Largs.

[Hobiehobie]

Thanks so much. I have just received my Irish Cruising Club sailing directions and will use your recommendations to plan the trip.