Killala Bay (Irish: Cuan Chill Ala) is a bay on the west coast of Ireland between County Mayo and County Sligo. It is situated between Kilcummin Head to the west and Lenadoon Point to the east.[2] and is the estuary for the River Moy. The village of Killala is situated at the southwest corner of the bay.

Killala Bay
Killala Bay
Location	County Mayo
Coordinates	54°15′N 9°08′W
Ocean/sea sources	Atlantic Ocean
Basin countries	Ireland
Max. width	5.5 miles (8.9 km)
Surface area	1,061 hectares (10.61 km2)
Max. depth	36 metres (20 fathoms)
Settlements	Killala
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Killala Bay/Moy Estuary
Designated	7 June 1996
Reference no.	843[1]

Geography

The bay is on the west coast of Ireland between County Mayo and County Sligo. It is situated between Kilcummin Head to the west and Lenadoon Point to the east.[2] and is the estuary for the River Moy. The village of Killala is situated at the southwest corner of the bay. Bartragh Island is situated in the center of the bay.

Water

The bay is an extension of the estuary of the River Moy,[1] with deep waters of the continental shelf close to the shore.[3] The total area is 1,061 hectares (10.61 km²).[1] The bay is about 5.5 miles (8.9 km) wide and the maximum depth is 36 metres (20 fathoms).[4]

The middle of the bay is safe for boats but caution needs to be exercised near the shoreline.[4]

Shore

Kilcummin Head, also known as Benwee Head, is regarded as the start of Killala Bay.[2] As such excludes Lackan Bay and Creevagh Head which lie to the northwest. To the south of the head lies the village of Kilcummin. Counter-clockwise round the bay there is Killala, River Moy, Enniscrone, Pollacheeny Harbour, before Lenadoon Point.

Activities

Killala Bay is an excellent fishing location due to the close proximity of the deep waters of the continental shelf, having both deep water rock marks[lower-alpha 1], beach marks, and opportunities to catch deep water species from charter boats.[3] Cockles can be found in the bay due to its sheltered nature.[5]

Ross Strand on the bay near Killala village is a Blue Flag beach.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Killala Bay.

Notes

Footnotes

Sources