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A group of friends have just returned from a 3 week circumnavigation of Ireland under sail on a GibSea 43 'Jaconel'
from Kinsale to (obviously) Kinsale.  

Co-skippers David Conway and John Kinsella.
Crew: David Tocher, Graham Liddy, Dermot Reidy, Michael Fagin, Linda Stevens, Clifford
Nolan, Tom O'Donovan, Joachim Fischer.

John, David Tocher and Joachim are members of Lough Derg Yacht Club.

The group left Kinsale on Saturday 3rd May and returned to Kinsale at
13:30 Sunday 25 May.

Forecast on the morning of Sat 3 May (SE F5/7 poss F8 at times) gave us
fair winds for Baltimore. The SE swell rolling in to Sherkin gave us a
lumpy night on the Island pontoon.

The forecast stayed SE and moderated. We had planned to enter Derrynane on 
Sunday 4 May but a blockage in the fuel system forced us to sail on in 
slackening winds to Dingle as Derrynane is not safe to enter under sail.

In the end we picked up a visitors' mooring in Ventry Harbour under sail 
in the gathering dusk.

After a day ashore in Ventry and Dingle we left Dingle at 04:30 Tue 6 May 
for Kilronan - early departure to ensure fair tide through Blasket Sound. 
Despite the SE forecast we were close reaching for much of the passage as 
winds turned NE - seemed to be an artifact of Brandon Mountain?

En route we met an Irish Naval vessel and dipped our ensign. After 
returning our salute there followed a short Q&A on VHF as not many yachts 
were off the West coast so early in the season. Very friendly and 
professional.

A day ashore in Kilronan and a short sail to InishBofin Thursday 8 May. A 
very tight dog-leg to port needed to line up the leading marks for the 
entrance to the harbour but a safe anchorage and an unexpectedly up-market 
meal in the hotel.

Friday 9 May - light SE airs so motor-sailed to Frenchport in Mayo - an 
anchorage exposed to swell if winds had any W in them. No facilities so 
ate on board after Joachim took dinghy for a run ashore.

The main benefit of Frenchport is that it is a perfect jumping-off point 
for Killybegs. On Saturday 10 May we sailed when possible and motor-sailed 
when not in light SE winds the 70 M to Killybegs. A very impressive 
fishing harbour and very hospitable to visiting yachts.

After a day ashore and a crew change we sailed on Monday 12 May (again in 
light SE winds) for AranMore off W coast of Donegal. Beautiful scenery and 
a sheltered harbour.

On Tue 13 May we sailed for Lough Swilly - bypassing Tory I to take 
advantage of the still persisting SE/E winds. After a cracking sail - 
hitting 11 knots just off the wind we picked up a visitors' mooring in 
Port Salon in bright sunshine and all aboard had a swim. This was without 
doubt the most beautiful stop on the voyage.

On Wed May 14 we set sail for Portrush - round Malin H wind E on the nose 
so motor-sailing at first but once past Foyle SWM a great sail down to 
Portrush. A very friendly welcome and great food ashore.

On Thur 15 May we made our passage through Rathlin Sound for Glenarm. We 
had strong push from tide and despite the light E headwinds we took 
advantage of the tide and motor-sailed at 11 knots though the sound and 
had a fair tide all the way to Glenarm. This man-made harbour next to a 
very pretty village - with coffee shops as well as pubs!

Friday 16 May: light E winds - motor-sailed to Bangor (E side of Belfast 
L). Large marina, met old friends ashore. Saturday 17 May - a rest day 
ashore.

Sunday May 18 - great sail in F4-5 E winds through Copeland Sound and on 
to Ardglass Co Down.

Monday 19 May - a long fast sail in F5 SE winds close reaching to Howth.

Tuesday 20 A short hop across Dublin Bay in strong SE winds to Royal St 
George YC in Dun laoghaire for our second crew change. Friendly reception 
and great facilities.

Wed 21 May - rest day in Dun Laoghaire.

Thur 22 May stemmed last of the flood to get a good tide down to Arklow. 
Marina v close to decaying tank farm but town v pleasant. Met British 
yacht circumnavigating both islands!

Fri 23 May - nice sail with fair tides and winds inside Tuskar R in 
glorious sunshine to Kilmore Quay. The entrance to KQ is a narrow channel 
with marks leading approx 8 degrees (T) and a rock garden on both sides. 
Met by local yacht skippered by local artist and yachtsman Ivan Sutton and 
partner Mary. Invited back to their house for BBQ. Great evening.

Sat 24 May SE winds persisting strong brought us to Ballycotton. After 
dealing with the narrow entrance and a nasty cross-swell we made fast 
alongside a trawler in the outer harbour. The inner harbour shallows v 
rapidly. More importantly we got ashore in time to see Toulouse lose!

Sun 25 May After warping the yacht around we had a fast downwind sail to 
Kinsale with a gale warning in force.