Back to Glandore

The last time we were in Glandore, a fishing vessel slammed into Aleria amidships. It was not a good visit. Fast forward six years, and we thought we should go back to dispel our fears. We didn't want to tempt fate, but we did think that Glandore was a pretty nice place to visit otherwise.



We fueled up at Castlepark Marina in Kinsale, which was an experience. A disabled racing machine was tied up to the fuel dock and we had to put Aleria into a berth a few boats away which was half her size, then hope that the fuel hose would stretch far enough to make it to our cockpit where the fuel tank filling thing was. The marina guys were very nice and helped us get in. We took on 241 liters of diesel.

The wind was very nice, 10+ gusting 15 so we hoisted our canvas a set sail for Glandore. What a ride. Soon it was 15, gusting 20 and stayed consistent for much of the day. We anchored in Glandore and went ashore. There were lots of sailboats on mooring both in Glandore and nearer to Union Hall. The breakwater around Glandore Harbour was choked with dinghies and RIBs, many more than we remembered.

The Marina Hotel is for sale and closed. The Glandore Bistro had a few customers. But it was a beautiful day and we decided to continue walking. The Glandore Inn (sale agreed) and Hayes Bar were hopping. Every outdoor table was jam packed except one which we grabbed. We ordered a couple of Black's KPAs and sat watching dinghies practice steering with their weight and without rudders around Aleria. Deja vu? We hoped not.

Spirit of Oysterhaven, the Irish sail training ship went into Union Hall fishing dock for a spell, presumably to take on water, then returned to a mooring at Glandore. The Glandore Yacht Club operates six yellow public visitor mooring buoys that are located just off the Glandore inner harbour entrance. Payment should be made to the club or at the Glandore Inn next door.

On our way back to the boat, we stopped by to chat with the couple aboard the yacht Phoenix which we had followed into the harbour. They are British living in Dublin who decided to sail the west this year.

We returned to Aleria for leftover spaghetti  and Caesar salad aboard and reading until we couldn't. It was a very pleasant day.

And we broke the curse. No fishing vessel ran into us in the harbour. In fact, no fishing vessels even went out at all.