DUSAC

Downpatrick Head situated just outside the nearby village of Ballycastle is one of the finer dives sites carved out by the atlantic.   Looking out to sea, Doonbristy sea stack rises up from the ocean, holding strong in in front of Downpatrick head.  It’s spectacular formation promises exceptional diving.  Kilcummin Head is also an excellent dive site and a short boat ride from Kilcummin Pier.

Launching in Bunatrhir Bay to access Downpatrick head and the sea stack dive sites is advised.

Contacts

In 2012, Julia O’Rourke organised her AD dive trip and retuned again with the club in 2014 to expore Kilcummin Head sites.

Access to Dive Sites

1. Ballycastle Slip (3min drive from house) in Bunatrahir Bay

   1. Recently renovated; slip extended, protecting wall heightened  (works due for completion by end of 2014).  For a view of the slip, from the Coastal Helicopter Resource click here
   2. Low water access can be an issue (CD 5m)
   3. No secure moorings in bay
   4. lots of fishing nets and pots in the bay
   5. The bay faces directly North.  It is difficult to launch/retrieve boats from here with northerly winds as the bay is exposed.  The dive sites are about 20-30mins drive by rib from the slip.
   6. Ample space for neat parking of 6-8 cars.

2. Lacken Pier Slip (20min drive from house)

   1. Dries out at low water

3. Kilcummin Pier (25min drive from house)

   1. Can launch HW/LW
   2. Frequently used by other Sub-Aqua Clubs e.g. Grainne Uaile
   3. Can tie up at pier for lunch
   4. Possibility of mooring overnight. Contact local man (Mr.Boland) residing adjacent to slip.

Sites

General site info

Site 1: Downpatrick Head

Start at the beginning of the third finger, which is a good sheltered place for kitting up. Dive down the wall where you will find many openings in the cliff and kelp down to 15m with some very large rocks.

At the bottom, depth 28m, go along the wall in a Southerly direction and you will come to an amphitheatre. It is very hard to describe it’s beautiful smooth rock, it is as if someone designed it! As you exit keep your left which will bring you along another ridge. This is a suitable dive for advanced novices.

Site 2: Downpatrick Head

This dive is on the inner side of Downpatrick Head. Start on the second finger and again go in a SW direction to a maximum depth of 30m. Descending down the wall you will see the ridge go to the right, this will lead you to a very large opening which will bring you into the cliff under the headland. Coming back out, keep a straight course and your dive will finish at the Northern tip of the Head.

Site 3: Doonbristy Sea Stack

Decend on the eastern side and work around the stack to northerly, then westerly and southerly direction.  Bearing west is advised for the ascent. The Easterly and Northernly section of this sea stack is the most interesting for life and topography.

Site 4: Ceide Fields

The pyramid for the interpretive centre is a good navigation marker to find this site.  The steep cliffs rise 60m straight out of the water, they are 300-400m long and surround the site.  The cliff walls drop vertically to a sandy bottom at 20-25m. This cliff is composed of deep horizontal cracks, it has abundant plant and fish life. As you head out to sea the bottom is covered with large rocks. There are many sea caves opening in the cliff walls.  Visibility here is generally good.

Site 5: Kilcummin Head

Launch at Kilcummin Pier.  Locals report can launch and HW and LW.  Dive site is 1.1NM, Direction N-NW, 4-5min boat ride. Site has mix of bounders and rocky reef dropping from 10-25m on the eastern side.  Bearing North will offer more depth (30M).  This site is dived frequently by numerous local divers and local sub-aqua clubs.  We were really impressed by this very scenic dive site.  Kilcummin Head has a lot to offer, every dive was different with plenty of life and great landscape consisting of walls, underwater sea arches, canyons and various types of rock boulders. It simply contains few dive sites in one spot.

Traffic reports are to be made to Glen Head coastguard on channel 24.  It is right across Donegal Bay and has clear line of sight form Downpatrick Head dive location.  If communications are not going through on ch.24 then contact Donegal Bay coastguard on  ch.02  or Belmullet on ch.83 although due to the location of the broadcasting mast from the Downpatrick head dive site the signal might not be good.

The nearest coastguard rescue boat is located in Killala bay and Tony Culkin is the officer in charge.

There is a local rescue diver, Kevin Gilvary based in the town of Killala. He is very knowledgable on the North Mayo dive sites.  He owns a pub, Gilvary’s (no sign over the door) situated directly across the road from the petrol station on the Ballycastle side of Killala.