Greatman's Bay is an inlet off the northern shore of Galway Bay, situated to the east of Gorumna Island and approximately 25 miles to the west of Galway itself, on the west coast of Ireland. The bay with its wild natural scenic beauty offers three main anchorages, one of which has seasonal moorings provided for visitors, and all have the opportunity to come alongside a village quay.

The shelter and protection afforded by the bay is good in all reasonable weather and sea conditions, but the access is challenging and requires attentive navigation as the approach is encumbered by dangers, making a daylight entry preferable.

The entrance has no lights and care needs to be taken not to confuse it with Cashla Bay.

Keyfacts for Greatman's Bay

Position and approaches

Haven position

53° 16.784' N, 009° 39.148' W

this is the position at the pierhead at Maumeen Quay

What is the initial fix?

This is the position in the North Sound of Galway Bay midway between Inishmore (Aran Islands) to the south, and Golam Head (Lettermullen Island) off the mainland to the north.

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How to get in?

The 'Loop Head to Slyne Head' coastal description provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southbound sequence; western approaches may use either description.

Greatman's Bay is quieter and less busy than Cashla Bay but the entrance has more dangers, and although the shelter is not as good it is a safe anchorage. Once inside the bay to the south of Dooleen Point Beaches, off the east shore which is foul, lie Rin Rocks and Chapel Rocks situated in mid channel which should be avoided.

There are three recognised anchorages in Greatman's Bay, off Maumeen Quay, off Natawy Quay and just below Bealadangan Bridge.

Why visit here?

The main anchorage, Maumeen Quay, is situated in the far north of Gorumna Island which is part of a series of islands linked to the south Connemara mainland by bridges. Gorumna Island is connected in the north by Carrickalegaun Bridge to the island of Lettermore which in turn is connected by the bridge at Illaunatraghia to Annaghvaan Island, and then to the mainland by the Bealadangan Bridge. The whole area can be described as wild, with natural scenic beauty, large seas and lakes, and wet and windy weather. Nevertheless there are many fine walking routes, unspoilt beaches, public quays and a whole lot of leisure and social activities to enjoy in the area. It is probably fair to say that the best way to explore the area is by boat.

The area is part of the Gaeltacht, Irish speaking, district of Connemara and Irish is used as the daily language. There is some confusion as to the Irish name for Greatman's Bay, the locals use Cuan an fhir mhoir but the correct one is Cuan Inbhir Mhoir which means 'the harbour of Invermore'.

On Gorumna Island there are the ruins of an early Christian Monastery which has to be one of the remotest and well hidden in Ireland. Tucked away under a rocky hill quite close to the sea and with a landscape so wild, you wonder what on earth the monks lived on apart from fish. Unfortunately there are no surviving records of which group of monks lived in the monastery or its name.

There is a further possible anchorage situated at the head of Greatman's Bay near the bridge over Bealadangan Pass. Just below Bealadangan Bridge there is a quay projecting from Annaghvaan Island where a vessel may lie alongside at half flood, and nearby there is a small shop that provides limited groceries and a pub where some food is available. Bealadangan Pass requires great care and local knowledge as it dries, but it is navigable after half flood for boats up to 1.5 metres draught. It leads through the fixed bridge, which has a vertical clearance of 2.4 metres into Camus Bay, and from there it is possible to explore the rest of the bays to the west including the innermost recesses of Kilkieran Bay.

What facilities are available?

At Maumeen Quay there is a grocery shop, and petrol can be obtained 1 mile away next to the Pub. A local bus service from the village connects to Galway city.

There are no facilities at Natawny.

At Bealadangan there is a small grocery shop and a pub.

With thanks to:

inyourfootsteps.com site research