IRISH PLANE - South Coast

Forget whatever the database says about this one. The "Irish Plane" is actually the *Irish Plain*, a huge steamship that ran aground in Ballycroneen Bay back in 1916. We love a good historical mix-up, especially when it leads to a dive like this. It sits in a ridiculously shallow 3m of water, practically begging for a snorkel or a leisurely, long-bottom-time dive. What you get here is a proper wreck, all 114 meters of her, broken up but still very much a ship. You'll kick over huge plates of rusted steel, see beams draped with kelp, and fin through shadows cast by the collapsed superstructure. We've spent ages just tracing the outline of the deck, imagining the scale of it before it broke apart. It's a fantastic spot for photography, especially on a sunny day when the light penetrates the water and illuminates the vibrant greens and browns of the sea growth. Look for the blennies darting between the crevices and the crabs scuttling amongst the metal. It’s an easy, fascinating dive, perfect for anyone who loves exploring history without the pressure of depth or strong currents.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.797165, -8.140667
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
3m

Marine Protected Area: Ballycotton Bay SPA

Best Time to Dive in South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in South Coast occur in January, averaging 8.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 8.8°C (air: 7.0°C)
  • February: 8.8°C (air: 8.3°C)
  • March: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)
  • April: 8.8°C (air: 9.3°C)
  • May: 8.8°C (air: 11.8°C)
  • June: 8.8°C (air: 14.2°C)
  • July: 8.8°C (air: 15.6°C)
  • August: 8.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
  • September: 8.8°C (air: 14.6°C)
  • October: 8.8°C (air: 12.4°C)
  • November: 8.8°C (air: 9.9°C)
  • December: 8.8°C (air: 8.1°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to IRISH PLANE

Marine Life in South Coast

Home to 199 recorded species including 97 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 14 whales & dolphins, 14 other, 10 crabs & lobsters, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for IRISH PLANE

Based on average water temperature of 8.8°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 9°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories