The now-annual pilgrimage to the Great Saltee Island is a firm favourite with Offshoot members. The Ferry operates daily from Kilmore Quay. However, it didn’t prove easy to arrange a single date with the capacity for everyone, so it was suggested that members select the Sunday that suited them.
The island is a haven for all types of wildlife, from Gannets to seals, and of course, the colourful and photogenic Puffins are the main attraction. Having good weather can be a big bonus, as the 20-minute crossing can be very challenging in rough seas. Thankfully, the conditions on our trip last Sunday (29th June) turned out to be very pleasant for the eight of us, and the intermittent mist didn’t spoil our visit.
This year, a warden was on site to provide arriving visitors with some essential information and to patrol protected areas of the bird population. New signage also directed visitors away from worn or dangerous pathways. The maximum stay on the island is 4 hours, but the time whizzes by and before you know it, it’s time to wade through the seaweed to board the dinghy for the 5-minute trip to the ferryboat.
Back on dry land, the aroma from the Saltee Chipper was just too much to resist. After a day in the fresh air, it was just what we needed to fuel us for the drive home.
Some images (click on an image to open in full-screen mode) from the outing can be seen below:
