In a thread below, that is interesting, in light of this question.
I'll include the link in this post.
If you go to the bottom of the linked page, to the superimposed map of Europe
onto ME, you see that the Grey Havens lie on the western shore of England.
However, the Grey Havens in ME are at the mouth of a river, and the boats had
to sail down the river and out into the ocean.
When they did that, they would enter the ocean at a point which superimposes to
the western shore of Ireland.
I don't know how intentional all that was. :-) I know the Shire represents
England, and ME is meant to be our own earth, etc. And obviously the Grey
Havens are on the western shore of England, if the Shire represents England.
But once the boats reached the ocean, they were west of Ireland.
a.s.
"...Of course The L.R. does not belong to me. It has been brought forth and must now go its appointed way in the world, though naturally I take a deep interest in its fortunes, as a parent would of a child. I am comforted to know that it has good friends to defend it against the malice of its enemies. (But all the fools are not in the other camp.)..." J.R.R.Tolkien--letter 328, Autumn 1971
