The Irish Tick List

Back here at The Cottage, feeling exhausted and dazed from a summer of adventure travels, it's been nice to sit back and have a look through some of the highlights and achievements from our time spent in Ireland this summer. Sifting and sorting through the photos is always a good way to stave off the inevitable 'expedition blues' that try to creep in after any such extended trip away. If you're thinking of travelling on the west coast of Ireland, this should whet your appetite..

 Swims:

• Bray Promenade
• Glendalough, Wicklow, at Sunset
• Wine Strand, Dingle
• Laogh Leane
• Clare Island (x2)
• Silver Strand, Galway 
• Barna Beachfront, Galway (x2)

Climbs:

Glendalough Main Cliff:

 - Prelude / Nighmare, Vs (4b,4a,4c)**

- Crack in the Garden of Eden, HVS (5a)***

Dunshean Head Climb:

- Banana Split, VS (4c)*** (probably 4b!)

- Openers, S (4a)*

- Thievery, HS (4b)**

- Panache, HS (4b)***

- Deliverance, VS (4c)*** - amazing!

Carrauntoohil East Face: 

- Howling Ridge (V.Diff)***

The Burren:

- Genesis, HS (4b)*

Barna Bouldering

Hikes:

• Glenmalure (searching for a way onto Great Gully Ridge!)
• Mount Brandon (953m)
• Carrauntoohil (1038m)
• Strickeen Mountain (440m)
• Gap of Dunloe
• Cliffs of Moher
• Crough Patrick 
• Clare Island

Surfing:

• Inchydoney, Cork
• Long Strand, Cork
• Hidden Beach (near Wine Strand), Dingle (x2)
• Brandon Bay (west beach)
• Inch Beach

Snorkelling:

• Lough Hyne, Cork (didn't see much!)
• Coral Beach, Galway (saw 'the shark!')

Sea Kayaking:

• Roundstones Bay

Following a month of travel, followed by a whirlwind family tour, at the moment, we've both been too exhausted to even consider doing anything other than hang out at The Cottage and rest, so it's made for a nice return to life here. While sorting, cleaning and packing away from the summer travels, its been good to relive and remember some of the highlights of a life on the road and some quality van living...