Small pollack and mackerel can be taken while spinning from the pier at Skerries (1) while mullet to over the specimen size of 5 lbs (2.27kgs) are taken regularly. Free lined bread crust or fish paste are particularly effective. Coalfish can be expected at night from the rocks to the east of the pier.
Skerries is growing in popularity as a small boat angling centre but the available slipways at the east pier and opposite the sailing club are tidal and cannot be used for two hours either side of low water.
A favoured mark for inshore boat fishing is the navigation perch to the east of Red Island peninsula where mackerel, coalfish and pollack are plentiful in summer.
The Rockabill Lighthouse, rises to over eighty feet above Carrig da Bheola or Two Lips Rock some four miles (6.5 km) off Skerries. The light came into service in 1860 and was manned until 1989 when it went fully automatic. Around the base of the rock in 7 to 9 fathoms (12.8m to 15.5m) boat anglers will find good fishing for pollack, wrasse, whiting, conger, coalfish, cod and dogfish. North of St. Patrick’s Island in 10 fathoms (18.3m) is a region of mixed ground which yields dabs, plaice, tope, ray, codling, conger and spurdog. Generally, this area fishes best at anchor, particularly when high tide and dusk coincide. Ragworm and some lugworm can be dug on the foreshore below the promenade (A).
The pier and slipway at Loughshinny (2) are tidal but small boats can be launched at high water and there is some inshore fishing for spurdog, codling, whiting, occasional ray and tope. Mackerel are often taken from the pier on high tides during the summer and small coalfish and codling appear at night during autumn.
At Rush (3) the pier and slipway are also tidal, but it is possible to launch and retrieve there at half-tide. Boat fishing is mainly concentrated around Lambay Island which lies some three miles (4.8 km) to the southeast. Good fishing is normally found there, while at anchor, in about 15 fathoms (27.40m) for spurdog to over 15 lbs (6.60kg), bull huss up to 17 lbs (8.60kg), conger, dogfish, ray and tope. Drifting over the reefs will produce pollack, coalfish, wrasse and occasional ling.
Free lined sandeel at the mouth of the main estuary channel produces bass to over the specimen size and occasional sea trout. This area also offers excellent opportunities for fly and lure fishing enthusiasts.
The Rogerstown Estuary (B) is a popular bait collection area and the inner reaches, particularly along the northern shore provides digging for ragworm and lugworm. Crab can be gathered under the weed near or on the channel banks while sandeel can be dug over the sandbars at the entrance on spring tide lows. Access can be gained via the Balleally Road from the R127 or Pipe Road from the R128.
Donabate Strand (4) runs south from Portrane for over 2 miles (3.22km) to the northern entrance of Malahide Estuary. Night fishing in autumn turns up occasional codling, bass and flounder and smooth hound from May onwards. Recognised hotspots are the rocks at the Martello tower and opposite the lifeguard’s hut.

The town of Malahide (5) is situated on the southern shore of Malahide estuary and there are two slipways adjacent to the town marina. These give access to the main channel. Bottom fishing in the channel from boat or shore is mainly for flounder. Drift lining sandeel on a flood tide can also be rewarding for mackerel (in season) occasional garfish, bass and sea trout.
Boat fishing between two and three miles offshore has produced cod, ray, whiting, tope, spurdog, pollack, mackerel, coalfish, dabs, bullhuss and smooth hound.
A shallow saltwater lake which runs inland for some 3 miles (4.83km) and is 1 mile (1.60km) across at its widest point was formed in 1844 as a result of the construction of the railway viaduct which carried the main Dublin to Belfast railway line. The viaduct was rebuilt in 1965 and in 2011 and is 577 feet (84.12 m) in length. The Broadmeadow and Ward Rivers run into the lake which in turn has an outlet below the railway line and out to sea through the estuary. At the western extremity of the lake there are several pools in the river channel above and below Balheary Bridge. Mullet and sea trout over the specimen size for both species have been caught there while fly fishing or free lining baits or fishing bread flake on the surface.
To the north of the estuary, on the banks of the channel at Corballis (C), lugworm, clam and small white ragworm can be dug. Access is from the R126, via the road signposted Corballis Golf Club. At the southern end of the golf course, king ragworm can sometimes be found where the shingle meets the mud.
On the southern side of the estuary mouth is a sandbank where bass and flounder can be caught on a flooding tide. On neaps, this area can be fished throughout the tide but on springs, it is necessary to move back to the beach below Lambay Court bungalows, two hours before high water. Specimen bass to 11 lbs (4.99kgs) have been taken there and night tides are generally more productive than daylight ones. Further south the shore becomes rocky providing several fishing platforms, the most notable of which is the “Bathing Place” where whiting, codling, coalfish, dogfish, smooth hound and mackerel are present. Ray and bass have been recorded here in summer. Fishing should not be attempted when swimmers are in the water. In any case, it is probably more productive on night tides when swimmers are generally not in the vicinity.
Below the championship Golf Course at Portmarnock (6) is the shallow, three miles long, Velvet Strand. Bass, flounder, plaice, dab and smooth hound occur around the rocks to the north of the beach especially while night fishing in summer. Distance casting will also sometimes produce dogfish, whiting and codling in autumn.
Mullet, flounder and sea trout are common in Baldoyle Creek (7) particularly at “Hole in the Wall” on the southern shore where occasional bass to specimen size will also be encountered in autumn. Lugworm and ragworm can be dug on the estuary below the R106 at Baldoyle Church (D).
The bustling fishing port of Howth (8) is as famous for its fresh fish as it is for the rocky “Hill of Howth” which towers above the town, providing spectacular sea views and containing many exclusive residences. It is just nine miles from the centre of Dublin and is almost an island, linked to the mainland by a narrow spit of land. Despite its proximity to Ireland’s capital city, Howth has maintained a very strong sense of identity which is reflected in the constant coming and going in the harbour of a multitude of vessels including dinghies, yachts, cruisers, motorboats and trawlers of myriad colours, shapes and sizes.
Boats can be launched from the slipways in the harbour to fish around Ireland’s Eye, a small island north of the pier where coalfish, pollack, codling, dogfish, whiting, mackerel, dabs and smooth hound can be expected. In deeper water off Howth Head, ray, bullhuss and occasional spurdog are common. The local angling club have a purpose-built centre on the west pier. This is usually the first port of call for anglers visiting Howth.
Both the main piers are popular with shore angling enthusiasts and the head of the west pier has been designated an “angling only” zone. This is almost certainly a unique situation but one that should be encouraged in other areas. At weekends, during the mackerel fishing season, literally hundreds of anglers descend on the harbour. On these occasions, it is virtually impossible to find a space from which to fish after 10 o’clock in the morning. Places are also eagerly sought on the rock marks to the east of the harbour at Balscaddan. As well as mackerel, the piers can produce whiting, pollack, coalfish and codling, while the rock marks give up a wide variety of fish including mackerel, plaice (mostly small), dabs, dogfish, pouting, whiting and codling during the summer months. Tides at Howth are generally – 1 minute on Dublin times.
On the rocks around the Bailey Lighthouse (9) there is exceptional fishing at times for wrasse, dogfish, whiting, dabs, pollack and codling and bullhuss. Great care should be exercised in this area in easterly winds, which can cause high sea swells, or in rainy conditions when the rocks become slippery and dangerous. If in any doubt, steer well clear. Access to these rocks is through private property and permission to fish must be obtained.
On the southern side of Howth at Red Rock (10) bottom fishing into the channel on either side of the boat club will yield bass, flatfish, dogfish and smooth hound at times. Golden grey mullet are present in this area too. The southern shore (E) is also a good bait collecting area and the rocky ground east of the boat club, up to the Martello tower, turns up peeler and soft crab below the weed. Lugworm, ragworm and clam can be dug in the mud and mussel banks to the west of the boat club and below the R105 at Sutton.
Bull Island is an extensive area of sand dunes and salt marsh which is separated from the mainland by a muddy inter-tidal zone. This is an internationally important over-wintering site for large numbers of wild fowl and waders and is one of Ireland’s premier bird watching stations. The island is fronted by the shallow Dollymount Strand (11) which is best fished after an easterly gale, particularly at night. Bass to over 13 lbs (5.89kg) have been recorded there and anglers can also expect flounder and smooth hounds in June and July. Just east of the Dublin suburb of Raheny is the main access road to the beach. This crosses a causeway onto the island from the main coast road at St. Anne’s Park.
The southern end of the island is terminated by the 1-mile (1.6 km) long Bull Wall (12), which is further extended at the south-eastern end by a half mile long (.80km) breakwater which is a popular bait digging area during very low tides. This structure forms the northern perimeter of the main shipping channel into the River Liffey and the Port of Dublin. Small pollack, codling, whiting, bass and flounder can be taken there. The hotspots are at the viaduct where the tide runs under the bridge or at the end of the wall below the monument. Fishing is at its best in August and September. Mullet move well up the River Liffey and through the city centre in mid-summer and have been caught as far upstream as Heuston Station. Bread flake, either float-fished, or free lined are the popular tactics. Each year several fish over the 5 lb (2.27 kg) minimum specimen qualifying weight are recorded. On the southern side of the Liffey estuary, the River Dodder enters the main channel at Ringsend Basin and mullet run up as far as Landsdowne Station. Mullet and school bass congregate, sometimes in large numbers, in the section of river between the basin and the Pigeon House Power Station (13) where the hot water outlet is the main attraction. As the vast majority of fish caught in this stretch are immature, they should be handled carefully and returned alive to the sea. Fishing is not permitted within the perimeters of the power station.
Below Poolbeg Lighthouse (14) at the end of the two kilometres long southern Liffey breakwater, spinning produces bass and mackerel. One hour either side of low water is the best period. Conger are taken there occasionally on fish baits, placed close to the piles or amongst the boulders and big smooth hounds can be taken in May and June.
To the southeast of the River Liffey is a large expanse of flat beach at Sandymount Strand (15). The tide strips a long way out at low water, and this is a popular exercise area for Dublin “Southsiders”. It is also a popular location for beach anglers to practise their casting techniques because there is lots of space and the distance a lead has flown can be easily measured in the sand.
Towards the low tide area there is a complex system of gullies, channels and pools. Some of the deeper depressions, notably “Cockle Lake” hold school bass, mullet and specimen sized flounder. Fishing is best on the last hour of the ebb and first two hours of the flood. An important feature of this beach is the rapidity with which the incoming tide flows back. This can be further exacerbated when the wind is pushing the tide from the northern or easterly quarters. There is a very real danger of getting into difficulties, so caution must always be exercised. Weed can be a problem after an easterly blow from May onwards.
The Strand (F) is also a good bait gathering area and lugworm can be dug on the foreshore below the car parks on the promenade, Cockle Lake and at the Seapoint end of the beach where the elusive “snake” white ragworm can sometimes be found on spring tides. The coastline from Booterstown to Salthill produces bass and flounder.
The ferry port of Dun Laoghaire (16) is some 7 miles (11 km) from Dublin City centre and is accessed via the N31. It was named after the ancient Irish high king Laoghaire who had a fort (Dun) there prior to the arrival of the Vikings. There is a long-established boating and sailing tradition in the harbour and the Royal Irish Yacht Club, founded in 1813, had its headquarters in a prominent position on the sea front. This was the first purpose built yachting clubhouse in the world and is now a listed building. Past members include the first Duke of Wellington, Daniel O’Connell (the Liberator), the physician Sir Dominic Corrigan and novelist George A. Birmingham.
The 450-berth marina was opened in March, 2001 and offers full facilities to visitors. The harbour provides pier fishing for much of the year. From the west pier, dabs, (very small) conger, occasional bass (1.81kg) and mackerel are available during summer. Small whiting, codling, pouting and coalfish can also be taken from the end of the pier in autumn and winter. From the seaward side of the east pier, spinning over rocky ground accounts for mackerel and pollack between May and September. Inside the harbour there are mullet, mackerel whiting, pollack and a variety of mini species such as corkwing wrasse.
Up to four slipways are available in the harbour from which to launch small boats to fish the Burford and Kish Banks on Dublin Bay, where codling, whiting, pollack, coalfish, pouting and ray are common between May and September. In mid-summer, large numbers of big spurdog are to be found in the deeper water outside the bay and included an ex Irish Record of 21.25 lbs (9.64kg) in 2001. East of the harbour off Scotsman’s Bay mackerel are usually plentiful in season while codling, pouting, plaice, whiting and dogfish are all possible.
Car parking is tightly controlled in the harbour precincts and a parking ticket must be displayed at all times including Sundays. Tides at Dun Laoghaire are 5 minutes on Dublin.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council have introduced beach byelaws which restrict fishing at particular locations. For further details please contact them at: +353(1) 205 4700, www.dlrcoco.ie
Southeast of Dun Laoghaire, the small harbours at Bullock and Colliemore (17) are good starting points for exploring the inshore boat fishing off the “Forty Foot”, the Maidens and Muglins Rocks, Dalkey Island and Sound. In summer the species to be expected include wrasse (off Bullock), pollack, small codling (especially in the inner sound) coalfish and ling. In recent years tub gurnard have increased in numbers here with the occasional specimen. In winter, small codling, dab and whiting are common in ten fathoms off Bullock. The tides in Dalkey Sound are swift and extra care should be taken in easterly winds. There is some shore fishing over rough ground at Colliemore for mackerel, in season, codling, coalfish and occasional conger and flounder’ while from the rocks on the northern side of Sorrento Point, mackerel and pollack can be taken while spinning. Bottom fished baits will also attract whiting, small codling, dogfish, wrasse and smooth hound on slack tides.
South of Sorrento Point lies the picturesque Killiney Bay (18) which has in the past been compared to the Bay of Naples. Fishing from the beach is for whiting and small codling, dogfish, coalfish and occasional bass. In past years, codling may appear after onshore winds during the summer months. The best of this fishing was on evening tides into darkness. Towards the southern end of the beach where the Loughlinstown River enters the sea, the ground becomes interspersed with weed covered rock. Here wrasse and rockling can be taken. Occasional specimen bass have also been recorded in autumn. Access to the beach is via an underpass from the R119.
Inshore boat fishing is fairly productive over sand in seven or eight fathoms (12.80m to 14.63m). Species to be expected are plaice, dab, gurnard, dogfish and tope also roam this area. From time to time, bass shoal over the Frazer Bank. Freelined sandeel can prove very effective at these times and could result in a fish over the 10 lb (4.54 kg) specimen size.
The popular holiday resort of Bray (19) known as “the Gateway to Wicklow” lies mainly between the River Dargle in the north and Bray Head to the south.
The Dargle enters the sea between two breakwaters from where anglers can cast into deep water. Codling, dabs, flounder, and plaice are regularly taken with bass appearing periodically during summer. Spinning will also take mackerel at high water in season. The inner harbour holds a few conger eels and flounder. Shoals of mullet are regular visitors to the harbour. There are two slipways from which small boats can be launched. Boat fishing in the deep water off Bray Head is for tope, spurdog, dogfish and codling. Ray, bull huss and smooth hound are found in good numbers in the deeper water in early summer. During the summer, the beach, which is backed by a fine esplanade, is a popular focal point for tourists, so little shore fishing can be practised during the day. Night fishing, however, will provide sport with dogfish, codling, whiting, rockling, coalfish and flatfish. When the beach is busy during daylight, an alternative may be found from the rocks at the northern side of Bray Head, where float fishing will yield wrasse, pollack and mackerel.
Greystones (20) is one of Ireland’s longest established, and most popular angling centres for both boat and shore anglers. As a result of many years of organised angling in the region, much is known about the fishing locally. The local Greystones Ridge Angling Club have a state-of-the-art clubhouse on the shoreline and are a great source of information and assistance.
Small boats can be launched from slipways in the harbour to fish for a wide range of species. These include whiting, coalfish, dabs and dogfish which provide good sport for much of the year and are the key species in the large number of small boat and dinghy fishing tournaments which are staged annually. Plaice can be taken occasionally using worm, mussel or cocktail baits in conjunction with attractor spoons. The inshore banks are also capable of producing good ray fishing, particularly for blonde ray, up to near record size of 35 lbs (15.88kgs). Other specimen fish that have been taken are tope, spurdog, thornback ray and smooth hound.
The North Beach, which runs from Bray Head to the harbour, generally fishes best for shore anglers on evening tides. Species such as coalfish, pouting, pollack, dogfish, dab and an occasional plaice and bass can be expected. The beach is very rocky particularly at the northern end which is also weedy. Towards the harbour, years of erosion has left rubble and debris from the old railway embankment and harbour wall. Tackle losses are almost unavoidable in this area.
The outer wall of the harbour offers pier fishing for pollack, coalfish, flatfish, codling and school bass, while the rocks between the rear of the old La Touche Hotel and the school are worth investigating for plaice, codling, pollack and coalfish. The rock venues may prove particularly productive during calm or bright spells when fish appear to move off the beaches to seek cover or deeper water. There is good parking there with easy access to the fishing from the road.
The “steep-to” shingle beach south of Greystones runs for some 15 miles (24.14 km) all the way to Wicklow, broken only by the short stretch at Ballygannon where the county council has reinforced the beach with large boulders to protect it from erosion.
This is probably one of the most famous of all Irish match fishing stretches having been the stage for many major tournaments including several European and World Championships. A look at returns from the various competitions over the years makes for interesting reading because no less than 22 species have turned up. This probably goes some way to explaining why these beaches remain extremely popular with resident and visiting anglers alike.
Generally, the Wicklow beaches fish best after an easterly blow when long casting is seldom necessary to get among fish. During calm spells, however, a bait cast into the 100 yd to 120 yd (91.44 m to 109.73 m) band has a much better chance of success. There are, of course, exceptions to this. In recent times tope have appeared, providing great winter sport for the shore angler.
The South Beach, Greystones (21) can be the most frustrating of all the local beaches to fish. When it is on form, there are few places to match it for whiting, dogfish, dabs, bass and smooth hound, while opposite the outflow pipe, pollack and coalfish can be caught regularly. This beach, however, experiences unexplained lean periods, even in what appears to be very suitable conditions. As a result of this, the beach has received the nickname of “The Hungry Acre”. Access to the south beach is via the tunnel, under the railway line, from the car park on the R762.
Around the rocks, coalfish, codling, rockling and dogfish are the main species encountered. Every year, however, these rocks produce a number of bass to about 6 lbs (2.72 kg). Spinning is a popular method for catching fish. Fishing is best on the first two hours of the flood tide and an hour either side of high water. Access to Ballygannon involves a walk from the car park at the golf driving range. It can be dangerous to fish here at night, extra care should be taken.
By taking the turn at the signpost, from the R761 in the village, easy access will be found to the beach at Kilcoole (22). Plaice and dabs were quite prolific here in the past and specimen fish of both species were recorded. Spinning for bass and mackerel is also popular. Winter tope can also provide great sport for the shore angler. This area of beach south of Kilcoole is a sensitive bird watching area and anglers should be aware of this.
Behind the beach is a complex system of channels and gullies, which drain a number of streams running down from the Wicklow mountains. This area is in turn drained by a channel which runs to sea under a railway bridge at a point on the shore known as the Breaches (23). The freshwater entering the sea there encourages flatfish to move close to the shore and flounder are quite common, both at the outflow and in the pool behind the railway line. Other probable species include dab, coalfish, bass and sea trout. Mullet also move under the bridge and into the pool and channels behind the beach. Some of these fish appear to be well over the specimen weight of 5 lbs (2.27kgs) but to date there has been little attempt to catch them. Time spent fishing for both of these species may be well rewarded. Access involves a long walk from either Kilcoole in the north or Newcastle to the south.
At Newcastle (24) the water close in is slightly deeper than on the surrounding beaches and the 5 fathom (just over 9 m) line is nearest to the shore there. November has traditionally produced some of the best whiting and dab fishing in this area particularly in the vicinity of a railway workers hut about 1 mile (1.61 km) north of the access gate. During summer, dogfish, plaice, coalfish and gurnard are all possible. The beach is signposted from the village and is about a mile from the R761.
The beach at Five Mile Point (25) contains less stone and shingle and much more sand than the other beaches. In spring, smooth hound to over the specimen size of 7 lbs (3.17kg) have been caught there during the hours of darkness, with ragworm and peeler crab being the best baits. Homelyn ray and plaice are to be found here in May and mackerel during the summer, however for much of the year this area appears to be something of a nursery for immature fish of 6 inches (15.24 cm) or so, from several species including cod, dab, flounder and whiting. Access is via one mile (1.61 km) long road from the R761.
Many anglers regard Killoughter (26) as the best of all the Wicklow beach venues. This opinion has probably come about because the beach turns up quality fish with a fair degree of regularity. Included in catches have been specimen homelyn ray, thornback ray, smooth hound, bullhuss and occasional spurdog. Early in the season dogfish and the occasional ray can be taken. Fishing for the “more regular” species such as whiting, dogfish, flatfish and tub gurnard has also been regarded as above average. Tope are also appearing here in recent years, providing great sport for the shore angler. Two hours either side of high water is the optimum period with night tides most productive. At the time of writing, the access lane from the R761 is littered with deep potholes which are inclined to fill with water after heavy rain. Great care should be exercised while driving down this lane as damage to vehicles could easily occur.
The North Beach, Wicklow (27) is accessed from Wicklow town via the “Burrow Road”. This beach can fish exceptionally well during daylight particularly on the overcast days of autumn and winter. Early in the season, dogfish and the occasional ray can be taken. Night fishing can also prove worthwhile with the area next to the boulders below the car park or on the Burrow around the Monkey Pole (a well-known fishing mark, the actual pole has been removed) being two of the favoured vantage points. Coalfish, dabs, dogfish and whiting are some of the species on offer.
Behind the Burrow and north beach is the almost land locked Broadlough (28) which drains the Vartry River. Small bass and mullet are common in the brackish water, but the best fishing is for the big flounder which move up and down the lough with the tide. Fish to over 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) have been taken, but like several other locations in Wicklow, time spent could pay major dividends for that elusive specimen fish. Anglers must, however, be prepared to move location several times during the day. At low tide, flounder and mullet will be found at the weir in the main channel and as the tide fills, they move up the lough until they reach the northern shore at high water. As the tide recedes, so the fish move back towards the sea.
Wicklow Harbour (29) affords excellent launching facilities for small boat anglers, and the ground off Wicklow Head provides good sport, mainly in summer, for occasional, spurdog, tope, ray, plaice and smooth hound to specimen weight. Shore fishing from the pier and breakwater offers opportunities for mackerel (in season), pollack, coalfish, dogfish, rockling, flounder, dab and wrasse. There is also limited space for bottom fishing from the rocks below the castle ruins on Wicklow Head. A short cast will put baits onto sand, for plaice, dabs and dogfish in daylight. Night fishing will also produce occasional codling and coalfish, but the rocks here can be very dangerous, and they should only be visited in calm dry weather. Tides at Wicklow are 21 minutes on Dublin
Wicklow is also a very busy charter boat fishing destination, with Wicklow Boat Charters running two boats from Wicklow Town year-round (weather permitting). The fishing off Wicklow has yielded numerous specimen fish over the years, with species such as smoothhound, spurdog, and tope, a regular feature in the Irish Specimen Fish Committee annual report.

- East Coast – Carlingford to Balbriggan
- East Coast – Skerries to Wicklow
- East Coast – Wicklow to Blackwater
- East Coast – Curracloe to Cullenstown
- East Coast – Bass Fishing