North Eastern Atlantic

The open waters south of Ireland form part of the Celtic Sea, where routes from the Irish Sea meet the western approaches to the Channel. To the north, St George's Channel leads between Ireland and Wales; westward the water opens toward the Atlantic. Ships bound for Waterford or the Welsh coast shared the sea with vessels passing between Britain and ports farther south. The absence of nearby shelter made the passage dependent on wind and weather, especially when Atlantic swells met the approaches to the Irish coast.