An Duanai Mara, Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Killybegs Donegal
An Duanai Mara Charters offers Deep Sea Fishing, Shark Angling and Sightseeing trips in Donegal Bay,
along one of the most picturesque stretches of coastline in Ireland! An Duanai Mara was launched by Her Excellency President Mary McAleese in 1999.
The Boat
The vessel is a 33' Aquastar powered by a 305hp Cummins engine, allowing a cruising speed of 12 - 14 knots. She is fitted with all the standard electronics and carries all the regulatory safety equipment in accordance with Irish law. There are galley and lavatory facilities also available onboard.
The Skipper
Our skipper, Brian McGilloway, has many years experience with fishing charters and is extremely
well acquainted with the many various fishing grounds of the area. Brian is an active member of the Killybegs Sea Angling Club and is also affiliated with the North West Charter Skippers Association. Brian's speciality is to fillet the fish you catch & cook on the boat with a cup of tea.... Tasty!!!
See www.duanaimaracharters.com for more information. Rates from €200 for half day!
Sea Angling
An Duanai Mara Charters offers some of the best deep sea fishing in the North Atlantic. The
waters surrounding the south west coast of Donegal flourish with over twenty different species of fish. Cod, Ling, Pollack, Mackerel, Coalfish, Haddock, Halibut, Wrasse, Conger, Rays, Blue Shark, and the occasional Porbeagle, are just some of the many species caught.
An Duanai Mara operates a Catch a Release policy - once you land your catch, there's a decision to make - keep it or release it! Many times each angler makes a decision whether to catch and release or keep the fish for dinner! Catch and release fishing is a simple principle that encourages fishermen to release at least one fish every time they go fishing so as not to deplete fish populations or if the fish is under a minimum size or a protected species!
From rocks to sand banks to ship wrecks, there are many different grounds along the coast to choose from. The Teelin Knowl, known locally as "The Big Fast", is one of the best fishing spots around. This small submerged island, rising sharply off the sea floor, has always been a "go to" spot for the locals. There are also over a dozen ship wrecks in the area, including fishing trawlers, Naval vessels and even Spanish Galleons.
To check on weather conditions, wind direction etc click for more details www.windguru.com and look under heading of Rossnowlagh.
Sightseeing
There are many areas of special interest within the bay from Mullaghmore to
Inishmurray Island and also Rathlin o Beirne Island where seals can be seen basking on the rocks. There is also the ever popular "Sliabh Liag". The cliffs of Sliabh Liag rise dramatically out of the ocean to a height of 601m (1972ft) and thus lay claim to be the highest sea-cliffs in Europe.
The richness in colour of the massive rock face provides visual pleasures non-stop. If you need to
get your awe inspired, this is as good a place to start as any. And it's not just the height. Different hues in the rock formation - orange, red and grey, mingled with stains of various metallic ores, accumulate with washed down clays and soils to provide an impossibly colourful background to the restless Atlantic below.
It's an amazingly historic and romantic place! Along the paths armies have trudged, Spanish sailors from the Armada have taken refuge, smugglers have plied their trade, sheep have munched their way ever onwards. There are still forts and lookout towers from the Napoleonic wars clinging to the edge - and everywhere the crashing sound of the Ocean, the lonely call of seabirds, as well as the occasional "hello" from a pod of dolphins.
See www.duanaimaracharters.com for more information. Rates from €200 for half day
Guest's comments;
"A wise man once observed that there’s a fine line between fishing and just standing by water like an idiot. Whatever your perspective is on angling, a day out on a boat in Donegal Bay is a challenge that everyone should experience sometime, weather permitting of course!
As part of the Creevy Experience, a boat can be chartered from Killybegs or Creevy Pier under the capable hands of skipper Brian McGilloway Junior. A range of activities is on offer besides fishing; one can go diving, whale watching, bird watching or sight seeing. When the weather is good, the panoramic views enjoyed from An Duanai Mara are truly breathtaking.
Donegal Bay offers sights that by any standards would be regarded as world-class viewing. To the south side, lies the plateau of Ben Bulben under which the mythical Fianna fought battles, fairies held court and Yeats now casts a cold eye. To the east, Barnesmore Gap rises where the Black Pig train passed, bandits hung from the gallows and Biddy's O'Barnes awaits the weary traveller. Then to the north, past the red streams of Teelin, beyond the welcome of the Rusty Mackerel lies the mighty Slieve League sea cliffs rising some 600 feet above the water.
Leaving the resplendence of Killybegs port, there’s a definite air of anticipation and camaraderie on board An Duanai Mara. The craic is good as you slip past the lighthouse, beyond St. John’s Point and towards Muckross Head. In the distance, like the back of a well-built quarterback lies the heaving frame of Slieve League. Not in truth the highest cliffs in Europe, but surely contenders for the most awe-inspiring? Within no time you are bobbing below them as they rise up dramatically into the sky; verdant greens and copper hues blending effortlessly together. Slieve League is a memorable sight from any distance, but to be up close to such a wonder of nature is a sublime and moving experience.
Brian moves about to ensure we all get plenty of good photographs of the area. Once done, we get down to the serious business of fishing. Today, we’re looking for mackerel and pollack. Best of all, Brian is more than a knowledgeable skipper – he’ll cook your catch then and there on the boat. That’s the easy part - all you have to do is catch the fish. The seagulls start to gather in hope. Some anglers are quicker than others in catching the fish, but within no time, a fine supply of fish has filled the bucket. Once you land your catch, there's a decision to make - keep it or release it! Catch and release fishing is a simple principle that encourages fishermen to release at least one fish every time they go fishing so as not to deplete the fish populations, if the fish is under a minimum size or a protected species! It’s a lovely way of passing a few leisurely hours bringing with it a serenity of the mind interspersed with some teasing, the odd disembodied crackly voice on the CB radio and a possible sighting of a basking shark or two.
John Buchan observed that the charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable, a perpetual series of occasion for hope. Few of us may ever get to score a winning goal in a big stadium, but catching a five pound pollack on a sunny day in Donegal Bay will be a memory you’ll cherish for years to come.
With enough mackerel caught, Brian cuts and skins the fish with ease, chucking the remains overboard to the hungry seagulls. Once thoroughly washed, he breads them and unto the frying pan they go. Eating freshly caught mackerel in a roll may sound a bit rough and ready, but this writer hasn’t had a better meal all year; it was simply delicious when washed down with a cool beer.
All sorts of sea life passes through Donegal Bay from dolphins to whales to sharks. On our trip, a 12 foot basking shark swished by us in silent elegance several times. It was yet another eye opener as to the natural delights on our doorstep. If you are considering holidaying in Ireland this year, you’d be hard pressed to beat the views and fresh sea air that comes with staying by the glittering prize that is Donegal Bay. Chugging our way back in to Killybegs, there was a sadness that the voyage had come to an end, but a great sense of achievement that something very special had occurred on this most perfect of days."
John Ward, Headland New Media www.headland.ie Back to Top