The views along Ireland’s west
coast are magnificent - the beaches sprawl between the land and the sea and then
there is the sea itself, the west coast sea, the Atlantic, an expanse of water
that stretches from Ireland to America and brings it all ashore on the west
coast.
When you go to the West Coast you don’t just go passively to look at the sumptuous vista, laze on the expansive beaches, wander its winding roads and lanes - you go to experience it, participate in it, become part of it. You engage in the glorious sunshine, wondering at the calm vastness of the water, you absorb the moisture of drizzling minuscule raindrops and you shelter from the full abundance of the rain, volleying ashore when the Atlantic decides it wants to test the land. …. and this can all take place in one day!!
Tourists go
because of the uniqueness of the landscape, people sit on beaches, but you
don’t go for sunbathing. Surfing, jumping off the quay, rock pooling and swimming
in Pollock holes are far more fun than just lying there.
So this is a photographic record of my last visit to Ireland in July 2016.
Lahinch,
Kilkee, Spiddal, and a brief stop at Doolin.
Towns where
people go to sit, stroll, walk, surf, jump off the quay and swim, where the diaspora go to see and be with family, enjoying those brief
moments back ‘home’, and three towns that have felt the full force of the Atlantic
as it comes ashore with a vengeance.
Lahinch
The Sea
The 'Watchers'
The coming of the surfers
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| Other surf schools are available |
The Town
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Taking a morning dip at Lahinch
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... and the things they leave behind |
Kilkee
At the beach
Spiddal
Just 'Chilling' at Spiddal
...and swimming
Doolin
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| a dolphin at Doolin
Words and photographs © Ted Ryan 2016
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