Wreck Diving in Kerry
5 diveable wrecks in Kerry, Ireland. Depths range from 0–40m.
Crompton
Lost in 1910, not found again until 1970. The Crompton, a 2,810-ton steel four-masted barque and veteran of many Atlantic crossings, met her end on the unforgiving western cliffs at Dromgour Point on Valentia Island. All crew survived -- five men scrambled up the cliff at Filenagaragh to safety. Six decades later, divers rediscovered heavy plate steel remnants, a second anchor, rusting chains from the forward chain locker, spars, and plating scattered on the rocky seabed below the dramatic cliff face. The main anchor was recovered and is now a well-known local landmark, displayed on Des Lavelle's forecourt on Valentia Island. An atmospheric dive beneath towering cliff scenery, accessed by boat from Valentia. Depths at Dromgour Point range from 20 metres to beyond 50.
MV Ranga
Hollywood came calling for this wreck. The MV Ranga, a 1,586-tonne container ship, was driven onto the rocks at Dunmore Head near Coumeenole Beach on the Dingle Peninsula on 11 March 1982 after losing power in a severe storm -- on her maiden voyage under her new name. All fifteen crew were rescued, some by breeches buoy rigged by Dingle Fire Brigade, the rest by RAF helicopter. Captain Miguel Angel Diaz Madariaga was the last to leave. The ship split in two. In 1991, the stern section with superstructure was hauled away for the filming of Far and Away starring Tom Cruise. What remains lies in shallow water from 2-12 metres, accessible but subject to surge and wave action. The dramatic Slea Head scenery makes the setting as memorable as the dive.
Port Yarrock
The disaster was raised in the House of Commons. On 28 January 1894, the three-masted iron-clad barque Port Yarrock -- carrying refined copper ore worth GBP 100,000 from the US to Cobh -- was driven onto Kilcummin strand in Brandon Bay after dragging her anchors for over a week in a disabled state. All 20 British and Scandinavian crew perished; seven bodies were never recovered. The Court of Inquiry blamed the managing owner, Robert John Rowat, for allowing the ship to sail short-handed and for failing to send instructions to move her to safety. The wreck is largely buried in sand with the bowsprit visible at extreme low spring tides. An anchor and centenary memorial stone placed in 1994 stand on shore above Kilcummin strand. Very shallow shore exploration in the Maharees area.
SS Quiebra
Artillery shells still lie in the gullies. Scattered to the west of the main wreck site off Great Blasket Island, these munitions from the SS Quiebra's wartime cargo are a stark reminder of what this ship was carrying when she went down. The WWI munitions steamship lies at 15-27 metres on the north face of the island at Lochar Rock, well broken up but with boilers standing upright and the recoil spring of a ship's gun visible among the wreckage. Despite the exposed Blasket location, the site is relatively sheltered from prevailing winds, making it a reliable dive option on Blasket trips. About 45 minutes by boat from Dingle Harbour and often combined with dives at Seal Cove, where playful grey seals steal the show.
Santa Maria de la Rosa
Only one person survived: a boy named Giovanni. The Santa Maria de la Rosa, Vice Flagship of the Guipuzcoan squadron of the 1588 Spanish Armada, entered Blasket Sound already battered from earlier engagements, seeking shelter behind Great Blasket Island. She lost her anchor and struck Stromboli Reef, sinking instantly. The wreck was rediscovered on 4 July 1968 by Sydney Wignall and Colin Martin -- making it the first Armada wreck to receive proper scientific investigation and the site of the first large-scale swimline search in the British Isles. Archaeological remains at 35-40 metres on flat shingle include a mound of ballast stones with parts of the lower hull and main mast step. A pewter plate inscribed "matute" helped identify two crew brothers. Protected archaeological site; permission required. Strong tidal currents in Blasket Sound make this a challenging technical dive.