13 April – 27 April 2025 | $6995
Join us for a trip north through the Irish Sea, from one Celtic nation to another. This two-week voyage begins on the rugged southern coastline of Ireland in colorful Kinsale, from where we’ll embark on a series of day sails and overnight passages through to Oban in the Scottish highlands.
There are innumerable options of places to sail to, and where we end up will largely be dictated by the weather. Perhaps we’ll stop by for a Guinness from the source in Dublin, visit the Isle of Man and hike up it’s peak Snaefell, or anchor off Rathlin Island (Northern Ireland’s northern most point) to photograph the puffin colonies.
Now fully familiar with sailing Sea Dragon having experienced watch keeping, helming, and sail handling we’ll reach Scotland, and once more we are spoilt for choice of where to land. An anchorage on a subtropical island, one of the 9 distilleries on the island of Islay, the bonnie streets of Tobermory on Mull… soak up the feel and folklore of the Celtic way on this sail training journey.
All meals on board Sea Dragon during this trip are delicious and vegetarian, with the addition of fish if we catch any along the way.
This is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to go up and down the companionway and move safely about the boat while in rough conditions, have good balance, and be in good health. Please contact us with any health questions or if you answer “YES” to any of the questions on our health questionnaire prior to signing up for the trip!
Ardent Training is offering a discount on the RYA Day Skipper Theory online course to anyone signed up for this trip. If you’re interested in taking the course, let us know when you sign up and we can give you the discount code!
Details
- Distance: 500 nautical miles
- Cost: $6995
- Date: Apr 13 – Apr 27, 2025 (15 Days, 14 Nights)
- Start: Kinsale, Ireland
- End: Oban, Scotland
For more details on the trip, please explore the drop down menus at the bottom of the page.
Tentative Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kinsale, Ireland
Plan to arrive at Sea Dragon between 1500-1700.
Day 2: Boat/safety briefings
We’ll spend the day going through boat/safety briefings, getting well-orientated with Sea Dragon. By the evening we could be at anchor in Oysterhaven, just round the corner from Kinsale.
Days 3-13: Set sail
Experience passage-making through overnight sails and shorter hops, as well as a mixture of evenings spent on the dock or at anchor. The options of where to go are endless, with so many charming places across the Celtic nations to tempt us. As well as exploring each new place we visit, you’ll truly get to grips with sailing Sea Dragon as a member of our crew who is fully involved in all aspects of life at sea.
Day 15: Depart Sea Dragon
Plan to depart the boat by 0900.
The deposit is only $500. It’s nonrefundable if you back out, but if we cancel or modify the trip we are happy to return your money or apply it to a different voyage. Please review the Crew Contract for full details of this trip before signing up. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the trip begins.
If you have any questions or queries please “Contact Us” or “Schedule a Call” by clicking below.
– 14 nights accommodation on Sea Dragon
– All meals (vegetarian), snacks, and drinks on board
– Sailing Instruction
– Safety equipment and foul weather gear
Contribution does not include:
– Transportation to Kinsale or onward travel from Oban.
– Additional nights spent ashore
– Personal expenses while in port
Given the time of year, we are likely to experience a few sunny days and a few rainy ones too! It will get quite chilly on the overnight sail. Take a look at our Temperate packing list.
Cork Airport is a 30 minute bus ride or 20 minute taxi ride from Kinsale. From Dublin Airport, a 3hr30m bus will take you to Cork City, and a 40 minute bus from Cork City will take you to Kinsale.
Glasgow is the nearest major city and is a 3hr45m train or a 3hr bus ride from Oban. Glasgow has many easy links for onward travel.
All Crew members are responsible for their own passports and any necessary visas. You must have at least 6 months remaining on your passport beyond our arrival in Oban.
Please look into the specific type of visa you need for arriving at these destinations by sea, or contact us directly to discuss.