Our Area of Operations: Donegal Bay
Bundoran RNLI Atlantic 85 Lifeboat, B-834, ‘William Henry Liddington’, provides search & rescue cover for approximately 650 square km (or approx. 190 square nm) area of Donegal Bay.
Donegal Bay is situated in the northwest of Ireland, with a large portion of its northern and eastern coast falling within Donegal county boundaries. The remaining portion of Donegal Bay's coast is in the north of county Sligo. The bay encompasses an area that extends from Rathlin O’ Birne Island to the northwest, to the east as far as Donegal town and southwest out to Cooladoon and Dooneragh Point. In total Donegal Bay is approximately 19.4 nm (36km) wide (taken from Rossan Point on the north shore to the entrance of Sligo Bay on the south) and it is close to 24.8 nm (46km) long from Donegal town to the mouth of the bay. Within the bay, a series of headlands and cliffs are the most striking physical landforms with the Slieve League sea cliffs, St. John’s Point and Doorin Point on the north coast and Kildoney Point, Mullaghmore Head and Streedagh Point along the south coast. Slieve League cliffs are among Europe's highest sea cliffs which rise 1972ft (601m) above sea level.
Donegal Bay's beaches have some of Europe's finest surfing, caused by a combination by a direct west-facing locations and the funnel-shape of Donegal Bay: Atlantic westerly swells are funnelled into a relatively small area, thereby increasing wave height and shortening wave periods. Bundoran and Rossnowlagh are recognised by the European surfing community as among Ireland's finest surf beaches with good facilities and excellent water quality.
Donegal Bay is subject to high-energy swell. The tidal range in Donegal bay varies from 1.5m during neap tide to 4.5 m during spring tide. The western coast of Ireland is exposed to the full impacts of Atlantic swell wave and storm activity. Significant deep-water wave heights (Hsig) here reach values of 15 - 20 m.
Donegal Bay's beaches have some of Europe's finest surfing, caused by a combination by a direct west-facing locations and the funnel-shape of Donegal Bay: Atlantic westerly swells are funnelled into a relatively small area, thereby increasing wave height and shortening wave periods. Bundoran and Rossnowlagh are recognised by the European surfing community as among Ireland's finest surf beaches with good facilities and excellent water quality.
Donegal Bay is subject to high-energy swell. The tidal range in Donegal bay varies from 1.5m during neap tide to 4.5 m during spring tide. The western coast of Ireland is exposed to the full impacts of Atlantic swell wave and storm activity. Significant deep-water wave heights (Hsig) here reach values of 15 - 20 m.
Marine Traffic Density in Donegal Bay
Image courtesy of www.marinetraffic.com
Fishing Vessel Density in Donegal Bay
Image courtesy of www.marinetraffic.com
Killybegs Harbour is a sheltered, deep-water facility and continues to maintain its position as Ireland's premier fishing harbour. The port is expected to develop as a major commercial cargo port. The Killybegs fishing fleet accounts for 38 vessels and is strongly dominated by pelagic vessels. Fishing boats account for the majority of vessel movements within Donegal Bay. With the development of the Corrib Gas field, Killybegs has also been designated as an off-shore supply centre. This has resulted increased traffic across the bay involving off-shore supply vessels and tugs.
There has been a significant increase in cruise ship visits to Killybegs Harbour. In recent years the size and passenger capacity of visiting cruise liners have also increased. The biggest ships docking during the 2018 season were the Queen Victoria, with 1,980 passengers and 981 crew, and the Queen Elizabeth, with 2,048 passengers and 996 crew. In 2019, there were nine cruise ship visits with a collective total of 10,794 passengers. This number is expected to increase over the next five to ten years. Fifteen licenced passenger & charter boats, each with a capacity of up to twelve anglers/ passengers, operate daily in the Donegal Bay area from Bundoran, Mullaghmore, Donegal Town, Teelin & Killybegs. Chater vessels licenced to fish for tuna (2020) will operate up to 30 nm off-shore. In addition, approximately 27 smaller fishing punts operate in the inner-bay area east of St. Johns Point and Mullaghmore. |
Pleasure Craft Density in Donegal Bay
Image courtesy of www.marinetraffic.com
Recreational Activities in Donegal Bay
Beaches
There are seven beaches in Bundoran’s area of operations, the largest of which is Rossnowlagh with capacity of up to 10,000 visitors on a daily basis during peak season. (See interactive map above) Recreational Sporting Activities There are nine surf schools in Bundoran and Rossnowlagh, and Rossnowlagh hosts the largest surf club in Ireland. In addition, Bundoran regularly hosts a number of international surf competitions. Kite Surfing, kayaking and stand-up-paddle boarding have also hugely increased in popularity in the bay. Big wave tow-in surfing is very popular off Mullaghmore head. Experienced surfers use tow-in surfing technique using jet-skis to seek out waves in excess of 10 metres. There are two sailing clubs in the bay area at Mullaghmore and Killybegs. Mullaghmore hosts an annual regatta in addition to sail training. Coastal rowing is also popular with two clubs established at Donegal Town and Killybegs. Sub-Aqua / Diving Scuba Diving is a very popular activity in Donegal Bay. Two of the premiere sites for diving in Ireland are at Thumb Rock at Mullaghmore and at St John’s Point. In addition to Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club, a wide range of dive groups & clubs from across Ireland & the UK visit the area. Waterbus Tours Donegal Bay Waterbus Company operate a purpose built tour vessel with a capacity for 160 passengers. This vessel conducts tours from Donegal Town harbour for nine months of the year with several daily sailings during peak season. Atlantic Coast Cruises operate the 'MV Pirate Queen' from Killybegs harbour and this vessel is licensed to carry 96 passengers and crew. |
Rossnowlagh Beach
Surfing at Tullan Strand
Mullaghmore Harbour
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Bundoran RNLI Lifeboat conducts slow-speed transfer / casualty exercise
with Donegal Bay Waterbus.
Video courtesy of Donegal Bay Waterbus.