Yacht Charter Ireland

General Info
One of the westernmost points of Europe, the island of Ireland is quickly reestablishing its place among the tourist destinations on the Old Continent. Though many Yacht Charter tourists consider Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, only a small portion of the island forms Northern Ireland which is part of the British Kingdom. The rest of the island is occupied by the Irish which are divided into several counties.

The urban and most densely populated part of the island is the east coast along with the north part which has the main towns such as Belfast, Cork, Limerick and Galway. The southern part of the island is a little more rural but very attractive nonetheless, in fact, more and more Yacht Charter visitors come here in order to get a feel for the real Irish experience.

The Yacht Charter sailor has plenty of sights and sailing opportunities, especially close to the British Isles, weather permitting. It’s a common fact that Ireland has one of the most dramatic coastlines in this part of Europe and some of the oldest sailing schools in the world, like the Royal Cork Yacht Club which goes back to the 1720s.

But apart from the sailing, Ireland is also a place that is full of symbols and myths that are so much a part of our modern culture. Castles, leprechauns, the famous Irish green are but a few things that make this island famous. The others would be the cuisine which can only be described as hearty, with the potato, the lamb and the pork dominating. Also, Ireland is home to some of the best whiskey brands in the world, as well as the stout, a dark, dry type of beer, so appealing to many hardened Yacht Charter veterans.

Law & Order
Politically and economically, Ireland has seen a real rejuvenation since it became a member of the European Union back in the 70s. What that means for the European Yacht Charter traveler is that access and stay in Ireland is very easy and bureaucratic-free.

A visa is not required for European citizens and for many others in countries around the world for a maximum period of 3 months. For British nationals it’s even easier, since the two countries have an agreement known as the Common Travel Area, allowing British citizens to enter Ireland without passport control.

When it comes to the legislation of the sailing world, Ireland is pretty much in tune with the rest of Europe, and especially similar to the British legislature. Boats are categorized depending on the number of people they carry, the propulsion method and their purpose. For pleasure boats, Yacht Charter skippers are going to need proof of their experience, namely a valid license, and also proof of their radio operating skills.

Since Ireland has a long tradition of sailing, expect a decent infrastructure when it comes to harbors and marinas, however, you’ll find that the east coast and the west coast differ significantly. Whereas the east coast is home of the Irish Sea, the west coast overlooks the ocean which brings about nasty weather and bigger tides that might prove a challenge to the inexperienced Yacht Charter skipper.