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Lambay Island, Co. Dublin

Lambay Island is situated 16km North of Dublin. There are three possible launching points for access to the island, Howth (beside the yacht club), Rush Harbour and Loughshinny. The shortest route is from Rush, with a 4km journey, where there are good launching facilities.
Rush is located 27km North of Dublin on the N1, turn off at Blake's cross onto the R127. After 5km at Lusk turn right and continue for another 3km until you see on the right a sign for Rogerstown harbour. Follow the signs.

Lambay is a private island of 1100 acres, of which 360 are arable, where one may only land with permission or during and emergency. Because it is a bird sanctuary this alone makes the trip worthwhile. The island also has a herd of about 200 deer and even a few wallabies.
The depths around the island are mainly in the region of 18-20m, but up to 40m may be obtained off the nose of Lambay. There are at least four wrecks to be found off the island as well as several excellent normal dives.

1. The "Shamrock"
The Shamrock lies South West of Carrickdorish Rock and under the fresh water stream. It is in a depth of 12 to 16m and there are no currents as it is protected by Freshwater Bay.

2. The "Stratheay"
The Stratheay, a 1900 steamship, is in 18m of water and exposed to full flow of the ebb tide so that it can only be dived on a flooding tide or slack water.

3. Unknown Wreck
NE from the Stratheay around Harp Ear is another wreck, sunk in the 1920s. Again this ship is in 14 to 18m which makes good diving with little current.

4. The "Tayleur"
South of the Nose of Lambay in the first bay below the falling rocks, about 40m out, is the "Tayleur". Wrecked in 1854 with a loss of over 400 lives she was a three-decked, three-masted sailing ship. One of the first iron vessels, she was wrecked on her way to Australia, it is said, because of compass error. Lying in 15-18m, protected by the bay and with little tidal movement it can get silted up very quickly.

The Tayleur is a protected wreck and a license must be obtained from the Office of Public Works, National Monuments Branch, 51 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, before diving on her.

5. Tailor's Rocks
A reef runs between  the harbour and Tailor's rocks about 300m from the shoreline. A relatively shallow dive but with plenty of fishlife and colour. There is a tidal current which runs North/South. It is advisable to dive at slack water.

6. Bishop's Bay
On the South side of the island Bishop's Bay, with it's stony beach, is ideal for an introductory or novice dive. The bottom, which gradually slopes to 16m, consists of large rock formations with patches of sand. There is an abundance of sea life. The bay is free from current providing that you keep away from the exposed points of land.

7. Sunk Island Bay
The next bay to the East, Sunk Island Bay, is also worth a visit although similar to Bishop's Bay. Again making sure you keep within the sanctuary of the bay you will encounter no currents with depths ranging from 12-22m.