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Donaghadee Harbour & Copelands Marina

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Courtesy Flag

Flag, Red Ensign

Waypoint

None

Charts

AC 1753 Donaghadee Sound, AC 2198 North Channel South Part SC 5612 Donaghadee Sound , Imray C62 East Coast Ireland -West Coast England

Rules & Regulations

None Known

Hazards

Both the Harbour & Marina lie within Donaghadee Sound which has strong tidal streams and eddies plus numerous rocks. Use of large scale chart strongly recommended.

Tidal Data Times & Range

HW is Dover +0025 MHWS 4.0m MHWN 3.4m MLWN 1.1m MLWS 0.5m Also see Approach and More Info

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General Description

Contacts: Donaghadee HM     VHF #16 #68  tel  02891 882377, mobile 07718579105 
Copelands Marina  VHF #16,#11, #80   tel  02891 882184 mob 07811230215

Donaghadee lies on the NI mainland inside Donaghadee Sound. There is both a harbour and a marina here which are separately administered, the marina being privately owned. Both facilities are pretty full; the harbour has an alongside berth for visitors just inside the south wall whilst the rest of the local boats moor stern to that wall on running moorings.  The marina normally keeps six berths available for visitors but it is popular, so advanced arrangements would be advisable. The harbour and marina both provide good shelter except that the harbour suffers badly in Easterly winds which set up a very strong fetch inside the harbour (see video)

  

                                 

The marina has a tide gate which can be fully raised in strong Easterlies which protects those inside.  The entrance to the marina would be impassable in such conditions but if you’ve been caught out and are running for shelter before an Easterly around here there is an anchorage across the Sound in Chapel Bay under Copeland Island which is protected from the east.

Access to the marina is over a sill which gives approximately 1.1m at half tide but best to consult with the Marina Manager before entering to ascertain safe times for access.

The town of Donaghadee has a long maritime history and, as the closest point to mainland Britain, was the Irish end of the Irish Mail Packet from Portpatrick in Scotland.  The present harbour walls were completed in the 1820s by engineers with strong connections to the great lighthouse builders of Scotland which explains the sturdy and prominent lighthouse on the end of the South Pier. However, long before this harbour was built, Donaghadee was the main point of entry for trade and travellers from Scotland (and England); the town itself expanded to service this trade with the hotels, hostels, bars and eating places normally found at such a port.

The harbour was built as a natural extension to that trade but, unfortunately, that build was at the beginning of the replacement of sail by steam; soon it no longer mattered that the route should be the shortest, it became necessary that it be the most reliable.

The Scottish end retreated into Stranraer and the Irish end moved to Larne - both much more sheltered than their precursors and accessible by steam driven boats. By mid Victorian times Donaghadee was taking on the role of a holiday resort, accessible by train from Belfast and well equipped with large houses and hotels for the visitors. Now it has come full cycle; there are no longer any trains (thank you Dr Beeching) and holiday makers fly out of Belfast for sunnier climes so Donaghadee has reverted to a small coastal town, still well equipped for the discerning traveller and ideal for the wandering yachtie.

Approach

Donaghadee Sound has its own tidal streams which do not conform......

..... to the ebb and flow through the North Channel but more to that into and out of Belfast Lough, hence the buoyage direction is North in the Sound . About halfway through the southbound North Channel flood the stream south of Donaghadee Sound develops a back eddy which continues north through the sound for the next nine hours. For tidal streams chartlets see “More Information” below.  Further South there is a tidal null point off St Johns Head; for information on how to take advantage of this on passage see our article at


http://www.visitmyharbour.com/irish-sea-tides.asp

Approach:

The route into Donaghadee Harbour from the North or South is clear of any hidden dangers; from the South just keep well out to clear the Wee Scotchman Rocks and from the North keep an eye out astern to keep the Governor buoys well open so that you don’t stray west of a north/south line through them. See our chartlet; if the Governor buoys come into line (which is possible if the tide vector is northerly) you are standing into danger  The entrance the Marina is a different kettle of fish; it is tight and bounded by rocks. It involves a careful approach along a course which has lead in marks on the shore, followed by a hard turn to Port as soon as the marina entrance opens up.  Some publications suggest that it might be an idea to make the initial entrance into the harbour, go ashore and have a peek before attempting an entrance to the marina. 

From quite a long way out the first thing you will see is a large painted sign on the marina wall indicating the entrance. Look about halfway between that and the church tower in the town and you will begin to pick out the lead in marks (red triangles on poles) on a bearing of 276°(T). Don’t even think of making the approach until you have identified them and then stick to them like glue. Also it’s one of those marinas that you need to have everything ready before you start the approach; sails stowed, fenders out both sides and shore lines ready for every eventuality because once things start happening all your concentration will be on manoeuvring; it’s too small and tight to stop to look in the bottom of rope lockers.

Anyway, follow the lead in marks and when the marina entrance opens abeam to port, go hard a-port and you are in.  

The owner has his own boat and, if you are at all worried about getting in he says to give him a call in advance and he'll come out to meet you. (This has been backed up by reports to this and other websites)

Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring

The Harbour has an alongside berth just inside the entrance on the South Wall.

It’s clearly marked but you may have to raft as there is only that one spot.

The Marina

When I talked to Quinton in July2022 he advised that the Marina is full and you must call ahead to make sure there's room for you before setting out. He's charging only £10 a night for visitors and still trying to get some money together for a shower (and I think,if he did build one, it wouldn't be long before it became a paint store!!).  He's given up on supplying deisel (too much hassle with customs etc for the amount he'd sell)  
On the other hand it sounds a lovely Irish set up if you want a change from the Big Boys in Belfast Lough on your way North. South bound not such a good bet because of tides.

Facilities

At the Harbour water, electricity are available. Along the front there is the Donaghadee Sailing Club which has shower facilities for visitors; the Club was recently fully modernised and is very active. If the Club is closed you can draw a key against a deposit from the "Pier36" bar nearby.

The Copelands Marina has water and electricity on the pontoons but the electricity is metered and charged for.  There are toilets/showers ashore (in the Sailing Club) and the marina has a co-located engineering facility with a stainless steel fabricator if needed. There is room here for winter storage and they have a 20 tonne crane for hoisting out and mast stepping. The owner, Quinton Nelson will be able to advise on prices for cranage and storage.
The town itself is well endowed with shops, hotels, restaurants and bars, has three small supermarkets and several petrol stations. 

More Info

This animated diagram shows the tidal flows around Belfast Lough
 

Eating, Drinking & Entertainment

As has been said, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants one of which, Grace Neill’s, claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland having been opened in 1611 as the Kings Arms. Whatever its claims of longevity it has a very fine reputation as an eatery. For other bars see:-

Donaghadee pubs and bars; pubs in Donaghadee, County Down # beerintheevening.com

Eating Out

Restaurants in Donaghadee - Updated June 2022 - Tripadvisor

Links

Your Ratings & Comments

8 comments
UPDATE JULY 2022
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 29th Jul 2022
I reviewed these notes in July 2022. I had a chat with the Marina owner and he's not changed his operation apart from the fact that it seems that he's become more successful and his berths are normally full. If he's got room you're more than welcome. There won't be fuel here in the near future and a shower is still on his wish list.
Update Spring 2019
Written by Don Thomson 3 | 15th May 2019
These notes were reviewed in May 2019. Quinton is still charging "about £15 a night" and is still trying to get funding for a shower block. Otherwise all the same but the harbour hopes to have diesel later in the summer.
June 2018
Written by Laura Moncur | 26th Jun 2018
As of 26/6/2018 No fuel facility at either the Harbour or the Marina. All the rest of the notes correct. Was piloted into the marina by Quinton, Very helpful.

Thanks for this - have edited the main text
UPDATE APRIL 2017
Written by Don Thomson | 5th May 2017
I chatted to the owner, Quinton Nelson, and much remains the same; it's very informal and he welcomes visitors.
Cracking little place
Written by Raymondmcmaster | 31st May 2016
We had a great weekend down in the marina before getting lifted out washed down and antifouled.

The most friendly marina I have ever been in.

Back in the water today and a bit of a rough sail back up to Carrickfergus but I will definitely go back.

Obviously getting in and out takes planning especially with a 1.8m draft but worth it.

I hope Quinton gets to complete the plans he has for the place and recommend it to anyone either for a visit or for repairs and maintenance.



Copelands marina
Written by Quinton | 13th May 2016
As the new owners of Copelands marina, Donaghadee, we welcome visiting boats over the summer period.
Subject to limited space .
Tidal restrictions for access, half tide shows 3 ft on the sill
Pilotage service available to visitors., just call ahead and we will pick you up at the harbour or outside the marina. 02891882184 office or 07811230215, Quinton, manager.
1 of 1 people found this helpful
Update 2015
Written by dononshytalk | 20th Mar 2015
These notes were reviewed and updated by Don in March 2015. Believe it or not the marina prices haven't been changed from the 2011 rates!!
Update November 2013
Written by dononshytalk | 12th Nov 2013
These notes were reviewed on the 12th November 2013. There no known changes and Copelands has confirmed their price for visiting boats.
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