The other day, Sameen, Wilma (two other american students in the program) and I walked down to the coastal village of Dalkey and visited the harbor, where the fishing boats were bringing in loads of lobsters, crab, and mackerel. While we were there watching them come in, one of the lobstermen came over to introduce himself and see who we were, since "he could tell we weren't Irish fishermen." His name was Wayne, and we started talking with him about what where we were from and why we were in Ireland. He explained to us that he was the Harbor Master's son, and that they ran out 13 boats everyday, fishing, crabbing, and checking their lobster pots. While we were there talking, a seal came up right along the dock, and porpoises were playing out at the harbor mouth. We talked for quite a long time, and eventually, he told us that if we were up for it, he would take us up the coast a ways and show us Dalkey Island, where there are a variety of seals and birds, and the ruins of a Viking settlement, a British Fort, and an old Christian church from the 6th Century dedicated to St Begnet. We told him that would be great, and would be back on Thursday when the tide was right.
Well today, Sameen and I took Wayne up on his offer, and rode the DART down to Dalkey. We went out in Wayne's small fishing boat, The Mary, and saw Harbor seals, Grey Seals, Roseate Terns, Ferrel Goats, Red Throated Loons, Cormorants, historical ruins, and beautiful views around and from the island. It was a great experience, and shows the advantage of making friends with the locals. He even boiled some rock lobsters for us to eat once we made it back to the harbor.
British Shore Battery Storehouse, circa 1804
Feral Goats on Dalkey Island
Remnants of the Holy Well of St Begnet on Dalkey Island
Wayne and I returning from Dalkey Island
Dalkey Island
Grey Seal
Great pictures, Johnny ! Glad to hear you had this fun adventure !
ReplyDelete