Tramore, Boatstrand and Stradbally

These three harbours/anchorages lie between Dunmore East and Helvick Head

....... and have been added to our list of harbours mainly for interest to visitors who are looking for a day sail from either of those two destinations.

Tramore and Boatstrand have small harbours which dry at Low Water whilst Stradbally is a sheltered cove with enough depth for anchoring. In Northerly weather they are delightful spots to stop for lunch, Tramore is very touristy whilst the other two are remote.

All three are very exposed to Southerly weather and in anything over a F4 from the SW through to the SE provide very little shelter; in fact in onshore winds Tramore harbour becomes swamped by waves having very low harbour walls and will become downright dangerous. Boatstrand is a little better sheltered from the SW being under Dunabrattin Head but, again, from the SE anything over a F4 will make it uncomfortable if not untenable. Stradbally speaks for itself; in SSW you'd very quickly drag your anchor and be up on the beach. There is a Youtube clip of Boatstrand which can be found in the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9HsMtOxdLg

The coast along this stretch is very picturesque; Brownstone head can be recognised as soon as you round Swines Head westbound having two distinctive towers and when Great Newton Head opens from behind that you will see its three tall white towers, the centre of which is surmounted by a statue of a sailor pointing out to sea.
The rest of the coast is cliffs interspersed with small coves with sandy beaches until one gets round to Helvick Head which is dealt with separately.

If on a straight transit from Dunmore to Helvick or Dungarvan going round the coast is about three miles further to travel but, but on a pleasant day with an off shore breeze well worth it.