Fahan
July 9, 2023
Fahan Marina, Lough Swilly and the historic village of Rathmullan
Fahan marina is not classified as a harbour but it sits at the head of dramatic fjord of Lough Swilly and is a very safe and useful port of refuge. My crew, Rob and I met a wonderful local family who owned an ex pilot boat - they invited us to explore the local area with them.... to the nearest pub!
Across the lough from Fahan, is the small village of Rathmullen, the site of one of Ireland's most famous historic moments known as The Flight of the Earls. As the English and Scots settlers gained a foothold in Ireland through the "plantations" started in 1556, the native Irish chieftains became overwhelmingly threatened. In a last ditch effort to try and gain support from the Spanish, 90 Gaelic Chieftains set sail from Rathmullan in a French boat in 1607. The Spanish were not interested and after a long journey through Europe they ended up in Rome under the protection of the Pope.
A beautiful bronze statue, featuring three men with their arms stretched in the air walking a gangplank, represents the plight of the men who were led by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O'Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell. It sits close to the spot where they embarked over 400 years ago. The Protestant plantation of Ulster proceeded apace. The flight of the earls would be the first of many departures from Ireland by native Irish over the following centuries.
Fahan marina is welcoming and very sheltered, although one yacht came a cropper when it slightly cut the corner of the entrance channel on an ebb tide and despite the efforts of Gary McLoughlin, the marina manager, to tow the boat off the putty, we all watched as she very slowly fell onto her side. No damage except some bruised pride... it could have been any of us!
Lough Swilly was one of the three "Treaty Ports" retained by the Royal Navy after the 1922 independence, together with Berehaven (Bantry Bay) and Cork (Queenstown now Cobh). They were eventually handed back in 1938 much to Churchill's chagrin. Our crew enjoyed exploring the very well preserved gun emplacements at Fort Lenan overseeing the eastern entrance to the Lough.
Fahan marina is not classified as a harbour but it sits at the head of dramatic fjord of Lough Swilly and is a very safe and useful port of refuge. My crew, Rob and I met a wonderful local family who owned an ex pilot boat - they invited us to explore the local area with them.... to the nearest pub!
Across the lough from Fahan, is the small village of Rathmullen, the site of one of Ireland's most famous historic moments known as The Flight of the Earls. As the English and Scots settlers gained a foothold in Ireland through the "plantations" started in 1556, the native Irish chieftains became overwhelmingly threatened. In a last ditch effort to try and gain support from the Spanish, 90 Gaelic Chieftains set sail from Rathmullan in a French boat in 1607. The Spanish were not interested and after a long journey through Europe they ended up in Rome under the protection of the Pope.
A beautiful bronze statue, featuring three men with their arms stretched in the air walking a gangplank, represents the plight of the men who were led by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O'Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell. It sits close to the spot where they embarked over 400 years ago. The Protestant plantation of Ulster proceeded apace. The flight of the earls would be the first of many departures from Ireland by native Irish over the following centuries.
Fahan marina is welcoming and very sheltered, although one yacht came a cropper when it slightly cut the corner of the entrance channel on an ebb tide and despite the efforts of Gary McLoughlin, the marina manager, to tow the boat off the putty, we all watched as she very slowly fell onto her side. No damage except some bruised pride... it could have been any of us!
Lough Swilly was one of the three "Treaty Ports" retained by the Royal Navy after the 1922 independence, together with Berehaven (Bantry Bay) and Cork (Queenstown now Cobh). They were eventually handed back in 1938 much to Churchill's chagrin. Our crew enjoyed exploring the very well preserved gun emplacements at Fort Lenan overseeing the eastern entrance to the Lough.