Displaying items by tag: Campbeltown Marina

29th April 2017

Second Route Resumes Service from Ballycastle Not to Rathlin Island.... But Scotland

#ScottishService - Ballyscastle, Co. Antrim not only has a ferry route to Rathlin Island but also to Scotland where the UK Prime Minister today is making a first campaign ahead of June's snap general election, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Operator, Kintyre Express since the Easter weekend resumed Scottish seasonal ‘passenger’ only services between Ballycastle and Campbeltown located close to the southernmost tip of the Mull of Kintyre. The 1 hour 30 minutes route caters for up to 12 passengers accommodated in the enclosed cabin of RedBay Stormforce 11 RIB craft.

In addition to running services to Port Ellen on Islay part of the Inner Hebrides. There is an option of a ‘Taste of the Islay tour’ where tourists can visit a whisky distillery. Those travelling with Kintyre Express can also take bikes free of charge to explore the stunning scenery of the Kintyre peninsula and that of Islay.

Pictured above is one of the operator’s craft, the KE IV berthed in the marina in Campbeltown. The marina is adjacent to the Campbeltown Fish Quay Improvement works project which was part financed by the EU’s European Regional Development Fund in partnership with the Scottish Government. The debate on the Common Fisheries Policy was one of the main vocal points raised by UKIP in advance to the Brexit vote on 23 June last year.

The sign is also a reflection of the current political situation facing Scotland, given last year’s Brexit vote of the referendum to remain on leave the EU. The majority of the Scottish electorate having voted to remain in the EU, however Theresa May is today expected to ask Scots to vote for her to "strengthen the Union", the economy and her hand in Brexit talks. Against this is the backdrop of First Minister of Scotland and SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon who has demanded for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Geographically the Mull of Kintyre is the closest point with Co. Antrim of 11 nautical miles. On this stretch of water a ‘car-ferry’ service had begun in 1997 linking Ballycastle and Campbeltown. The service operated by the Argyll and Antrim Steamship Packet Company, a subsidiary of Sea Containers UK, however was short-lived having run for just three seasons served by the former CalMac ferry Claymore (see related report CMAL's Canna serving Rathlin Island).

Claymore notable before her career with AA carried out a very unusual charter during the historic high-profile Irish visit in 1996 of USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier offshore of Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The unique visit of the 82,655 tons displacement aircraft carrier took place during the Northern Ireland Peace Process talks.

Claymore ferryied navy personnel and visitors between the anchorage in Dublin Bay and harbour. Such a sight was most odd given how out of context it was for both vessels to be in Irish waters.

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.