Sailseer

Ireland: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors

152 harbours · 182 bridges and locks · 4 inland lakes

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Ireland: 152 harbours, 182 bridges and locks, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.

Formalities

EU memberEU customs unionCurrency: Euro

Clearing in: EU and customs union, but not in the Schengen area (Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom). Anyone who is neither Irish nor British may only land from abroad, including from France or the United Kingdom, at an approved port (Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Cork, Cobh, Rosslare Harbour, Waterford, Galway, Greencastle, Moville) or obtains permission for another harbour beforehand: in the Dublin area from the Border Management Unit, elsewhere from the Immigration Officer at the Garda district station. If that is not possible in advance, call at an approved port first; without permission it is a criminal offence. Customs: no formalities from EU ports (alcohol and tobacco only in limited quantities); anyone coming from outside the EU, e.g. from Great Britain, declares goods above the allowances to customs (Revenue).

Documents: Passport or identity card (onward to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland only with a passport and ETA), boat papers, insurance, certificate of competence from the flag state (ICC recognised), radio certificate.

Fees: Harbour dues in the marinas, in fishing harbours berthing fees paid to the harbour master. A boat registered outside the EU to an owner established outside the EU may stay up to 18 months free of duty and VAT (temporary admission); Revenue normally requires no formalities for this.

Fairway: Atlantic swell on the west and south coasts, tidal streams in the Irish Sea and at the headlands, many rocks off the west coast. Marked diesel (dyed green in Ireland) has been banned for private pleasure craft since 2020.

Inland waters: The Shannon, the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Grand and Royal Canals are managed by Waterways Ireland with their own permits and fees for locks and berths.

Nature: Protected areas (Special Areas of Conservation) with seal and bird colonies; Skellig Michael only with licensed boats and in season.

Emergency: 112 or 999; Irish Coast Guard (MRCC Dublin, MRSC Malin Head and Valentia), VHF channel 16 and DSC.

Sources: Irish Immigration Service: arriving at an unapproved port, Revenue: temporary admission of pleasure craft (as of 16 February 2026), Revenue: travelling from outside the EU, allowances (as of 22 December 2025), RYA: Ireland, country specific advice, Auswärtiges Amt: Ireland, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)

Harbours by cruising area

Bantry, Kenmare and Kerry (Bantry, Castletownbere, Valentia, Dingle, Fenit)

Donegal (Killybegs, Arranmore, Burtonport, Lough Swilly, Moville)

East coast (Carlingford, Howth, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow)

Galway Bay and Connemara (Aran, Galway, Rossaveel, Clifden)

Mayo and Sligo (Clew Bay, Westport, Achill, Killala, Sligo)

Shannon Estuary (Kilrush, Carrigaholt, Foynes, Limerick)

South coast (Waterford, Dunmore East, Dungarvan, Youghal, Cork, Kinsale)

South-east corner (Arklow, Wexford, Rosslare, Kilmore Quay)

West Cork (Glandore, Baltimore, Schull, Crookhaven)

Inland lakes

Bridges and locks

Locks

Movable bridges

Fixed bridges (134)

Frequently asked questions

Ireland: Do I need to clear in?

EU and customs union, but not in the Schengen area (Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom). Anyone who is neither Irish nor British may only land from abroad, including from France or the United Kingdom, at an approved port (Dublin, Dún Laoghaire, Cork, Cobh, Rosslare Harbour, Waterford, Galway, Greencastle, Moville) or obtains permission for another harbour beforehand: in the Dublin area from the Border Management Unit, elsewhere from the Immigration Officer at the Garda district station. If that is not possible in advance, call at an approved port first; without permission it is a criminal offence. Customs: no formalities from EU ports (alcohol and tobacco only in limited quantities); anyone coming from outside the EU, e.g. from Great Britain, declares goods above the allowances to customs (Revenue).

Ireland: Which documents do I need on board?

Passport or identity card (onward to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland only with a passport and ETA), boat papers, insurance, certificate of competence from the flag state (ICC recognised), radio certificate.

Ireland: What fees apply?

Harbour dues in the marinas, in fishing harbours berthing fees paid to the harbour master. A boat registered outside the EU to an owner established outside the EU may stay up to 18 months free of duty and VAT (temporary admission); Revenue normally requires no formalities for this.

Ireland: What is the emergency number at sea?

112 or 999; Irish Coast Guard (MRCC Dublin, MRSC Malin Head and Valentia), VHF channel 16 and DSC.

Ireland: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?

Sailseer covers 152 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning. Plus 182 bridges and locks with opening times and clearances.