Rathmullen (IERAT)

The port handles small craft and fishing vessels.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Rathmullen is situated on the W shore of Lough Swilly, on the N coast of Donegal.

LOA 60.4m, beam 11m, draught 5.0m, 2,168DWT.

Rathmullen Roadstead (55°06.0'N 007°31.0'W) affords a more sheltered anchorage than Buncrana Bay for, with strong NW gales, the water here is quite smooth. For this reason small vessels usually anchor off the village of Rathmullen, in a depth of 18.0m, or further N towards Kinnegar head (0.75nm N). An anchorage may be obtained anywhere in the fairway S of Kinnegar Spit (1.25nm NNE) where there is ample room for a number of vessels to lie in deep water reasonably securely.

Directions from Buncrana Bay to Rathmullan Roadstead: From the position abreast Buncrana Bay, the track leads SSW, round the E extremity of Saltpans Bank, for a distance of 2.25nm to the roadstead off Rathmullen (55°06.0'N 007°32.0'W). The alignment (202°) of Hawk's Nest (55°04.0'N 007°32.0'W), 42m in height, the W extremity of Inch Island and Ballygreen Point (2.5nm SSW), on the W side of the lough leads to the roadstead, passing: E of Saltpans Lightbuoy (E Cardinal), moored on the E edge of Saltpans Bank, then: W of Middle Knoll (55°07'N 007°29'W) then: W of Inch Spit Lightbuoy (port hand) (0.35nm SSE of Middle Knoll), marking the shore bank on the E side of the lough, then: E of Kinnegar Lightbuoy (starboard hand) moored 0.6nm NE of Kinnegar Head (55° 06.0'N 007°32.0'W), marking the outer edge of Kinnegar Spit, the extremity of Kinnegar Strand, then: W of a lightbuoy (port hand) (0.9nm SE of Kinnegar Head), marking the W side of Inch Flats (N of Inch Island), and: E of a patch of foul ground (0.3nm W of the lightbuoy), approx 0.25nm off Rathmullen Pier (55°05.7'N 007°31.7'W). Useful marks: Inch Top, 219m in height, the prominent summit of Inch Island which is now connected to the mainland by two stone embankments at its SE end. Fort Royal House and Rathmullen House, both partially surrounded with trees, situated 2 and 0.5nm, respectively, S of Kinnegar Head. Rathmullen Pier, on which stands a light, and an old fort or battery standing out against the woods and houses behind it.

BA 2697, 2723. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

Pilot available but not compulsory. Pilots for Lough Swilly should be requested through agents at Rathmullen.

A light (green structure, 3m in height) stands on the pierhead.

Tidal streams in Rathmullen Roadstead run up to 1.75kts at springs.

Prevailing winds: NE'ly, SE'ly.