Mayo Wreck Map
2 wrecks in Mayo, Ireland. Recorded depths: 24–29 m. View on map
MV Shingle
She was a smuggler before she was a reef. In 2014 the Irish Revenue Commissioners detained the MV Shingle with 4.5 tonnes of tobacco and 32 million cigarettes on board, a cargo representing EUR 14 million in lost tax revenue. On 18 September 2024 she was sent to the bottom of Killala Bay on purpose as Ireland's first purpose-built artificial reef, once her 60-metre, 42-year-old hull had been cleared of all asbestos and pollutants. Storm Eowyn struck on 24 January 2025 and split the wreck into bow, stern and midships sections, which now lie 25-200 metres apart, so there are three separate pieces of wreck where there was one. Barnacles have grown quickly over all of them and fish have already moved in. She lies at approximately 29 metres. The project was a cooperative venture between Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef, the Revenue Commissioners, and Mayo and Sligo County Councils.
SS Thames
Undiscovered for over 90 years. The 295-ton London cargo steamer SS Thames struck St. Patrick's Rock off Kilcummin Head in fog on 5 March 1893 while carrying guano from London to Sligo. She backed off the rock into deeper water and sank at 24 metres. All 12 crew were saved. The wreck then vanished from memory until 14 September 1984, when Castlebar Sub-Aqua Club located her at the very same rock. Built in 1860, this Victorian-era steamer and her cargo represent a snapshot of 19th-century coastal trade along the Irish west coast.