C S PARNELL - West Coast

The C S Parnell is one of those shallow wrecks that just keeps giving. We love coming back here, especially when there’s a bit of a swell running, as it really makes the old timbers creak – you can almost feel the history. This wooden sailing vessel, sunk way back in 1905, lies in just 6 metres of water, making it perfect for an extended rummage. You’ll find the ribs of the hull still largely intact, a real skeleton of a ship, and it’s fascinating to trace the lines of her construction. We always take our time poking around the scattered debris field. Keep an eye out for the anchor chain snaking away from the main wreckage; it’s often draped in little jewel anemones. The timbers themselves are encrusted with sponges and hydroids, creating miniature ecosystems where blennies dart in and out of crevices and small crabs scuttle across the dark wood. On a sunny day, the light filters through the water and plays across the wreck, highlighting the subtle colours of the growth and the occasional flash of a pollack or a wrasse hiding in the shadows. It’s a gentle dive, more about exploration and atmosphere than big pelagics, and we’d recommend it for anyone who appreciates the quiet beauty of a historical wreck.

Location: West Coast, Ireland, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 53.834618, -9.666384
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 6m

Wreck History - C S PARNELL

Year Sunk: 1905
Vessel Type: sailing vessel
Cause: storm

The C S PARNELL was a wooden sailing vessel built in 1879, a relic of the age of sail. In March 1905, the ship was moored off Ballagan on the west coast of Ireland when a ferocious storm descended. A southeasterly gale reaching Force 10-a violent storm with winds over 55 mph-tore the vessel from its moorings. Helpless against the immense power of the sea, the C S PARNELL was driven ashore and broken apart by the waves.

Today, the remains of this 19th-century sailing ship lie scattered in just 6 meters of water. Having been subjected to over a century of Irish sea conditions, the wooden hull has long since disintegrated. Divers exploring the site can expect to find remnants of the ship's life and construction, such as ballast stones, metal fittings, anchors, or other hardy components that survived the wrecking and the passage of time. It is a dive into history, offering a poignant connection to the maritime past of the Irish coast.

Marine Protected Area: Clew Bay Complex SAC

Best Time to Dive in West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in West Coast occur in January, averaging 8.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 8.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 8.9°C (air: 7.2°C)
February: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
March: 8.9°C (air: 8.0°C)
April: 8.9°C (air: 9.8°C)
May: 8.9°C (air: 12.0°C)
June: 8.9°C (air: 14.2°C)
July: 8.9°C (air: 15.2°C)
August: 8.9°C (air: 15.9°C)
September: 8.9°C (air: 14.8°C)
October: 8.9°C (air: 12.4°C)
November: 8.9°C (air: 10.3°C)
December: 8.9°C (air: 8.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to C S PARNELL

Dive Aran - SSI
Kilkee Dive Centre - SSI

Marine Life in West Coast

Home to 183 recorded species including 86 reef fish, 20 sharks & rays, 15 whales & dolphins, 12 other, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) - Reef Fish
hake (Merluccius merluccius) - Reef Fish
grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus) - Reef Fish
whiting (Merlangius merlangus) - Reef Fish
Split (Scomber scombrus) - Reef Fish
megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) - Reef Fish
Pollock (Trachurus trachurus) - Reef Fish
Common dragonet (Callionymus lyra) - Reef Fish
poor cod (Trisopterus minutus) - Reef Fish
blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) - Reef Fish
Boarfish (Capros aper) - Reef Fish
Protestant (Clupea harengus) - Reef Fish
lesser argentine (Argentina sphyraena) - Reef Fish
Soldier (Chelidonichthys cuculus) - Reef Fish
Angler (Lophius piscatorius) - Reef Fish
dab (Limanda limanda) - Reef Fish
Cape Shark (Squalus acanthias) - Sharks & Rays
sprat (Sprattus sprattus) - Reef Fish
Bastard Sole (Microchirus variegatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for C S PARNELL

Based on average water temperature of 8.9°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