MARY EILEEN - South Coast

The Mary Eileen. We’re going to be honest, it’s not the biggest wreck you’ll ever dive, but we absolutely love it. At 9.8 metres, it’s a compact fishing vessel, deliberately sunk in 2004 as an artificial reef. You’ll find it sitting upright, fairly intact, at 41 metres. That depth means it’s definitely one for the more experienced diver, but if you’re comfortable with decompression, it offers a really rewarding dive. The GRP hull has held up well, providing plenty of nooks and crannies for life to settle in. Swim around the bow and you’ll often spot conger eels peeking out from beneath plates, their heads swaying gently in the current. On the deck, we’ve seen impressive plumose anemones, their white tentacles reaching out, looking almost like feathery flowers. Keep an eye out for dogfish cruising around the stern, and even the occasional monkfish camouflaged on the surrounding seabed if you have time for a slow perimeter swim. Our favourite time to dive it is on a calm day with good visibility, as the light penetrates the shallower parts of the wreck, bringing out the colours of the anemones and soft corals. It’s a great site for a longer bottom time, allowing you to really soak in the details.

Location
South Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
51.538166, -9.824500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
41m

Marine Protected Area: Three Castle Head to Mizen Head SAC

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 MARY EILEEN

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 MARY EILEEN

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