$5,000 // 8 Days
SYNOPSIS
Oban, Scotland to Kinsale, Ireland will give the FALKEN crew a choice — go west around the Atlantic coast of Ireland and battle the southwesterlies; or go east and south through the crowded and current-strewn Irish Sea and past the Isle of Man. Either way the goal is to get FALKEN in position in Kinsale for the jump across the Bay of Biscay before the fall storms kick in for real. Kinsale has become a sort of home-away-from-home for 59º North, a regular changeover port thanks to it’s charming pubs and picturesque setting on the river. And if we’re lucky, we’ll get to sail past the iconic Fastnet Rock!
What to Expect on This Passage
Mix of coastal cruising, with anchoring at night or the odd town visit or two, and nonstop passage-making.
Very variable weather, lots of opportunity to learn weather routing and tactical decision-making.
Longest offshore jump will be at least 36-48 hours, maybe more depending on weather.
Note
We now reserve two spots for women on all of our passages! Learn more here.
All 59º North passages are led by qualified RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Ocean certified skippers & mates, and all miles sailed onboard BOTH of our boats will count towards your own license mileage requirements. We are happy to provide certificates to this effect as well towards your RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster or other countries’ sea time requirements.
The Route
Expected Weather Pattern
There’s no getting around it — expect upwind sailing on this passage south, against the prevailing southwesterlies. If we take the Irish Sea route, we’re protected from the worst of the Atlantic weather, but we’re also hemmed in and up against the shorter, steeper chop of the shallow Irish Sea. Along the west coast of Ireland we’re exposed to the full force of the Atlantic swell, but once around the SW tip of Ireland, we should have a downwind finish around Fastnet Rock and into Kinsale.
Tentative Itinerary
Sept 14: Join the boat in Oban, Scotland at 1300. Dinner with the group either ashore or onboard.
Sept 15: All-day safety briefing & boat orientation
Sept 16: Departure! (Weather dependent)
Sept 22: Depart the boat in Kinsale, Ireland by 12:00 (Noon)
Travel Logistics
Fly into Oban, Scotland (OBN) directly, or fly into Glasgow (GLA) and take a 3-hour bus ride to Oban
Fly out of Cork’s international airport (ORK). Kinsale is a 45-60 minute ride from the airport. There is a reliable bus/coach service between the Cork Airport and Cork City, Bus Éireann, with many departures each day.
How to Join
To register, complete the Offshore Passage Registration by clicking the 'Sign Up' button above, or at the bottom of the page. You'll be asked to complete the form - make sure you hit submit. Indicate '2024 // FALKEN: Scotland – Ireland' as your preferred passage.
Once we receive your registration, you'll be sent an invoice for 50% of the balance, due immediately. The final 50% of the balance will be due 60 days prior to the passage date. Terms and conditions are in the registration form, and you'll be asked to agree to them before submitting your deposit. Please read them carefully.
Click here to read some of our most frequently asked questions from crew who have sailed with us in the past.