Another year’s diving comes to a close, and I think generally speaking the diving went well and the weather was more or less on our side, at least until the latter part of the dive season, at which time we had finished all the big weekends to the west. Even in Dublin Bay the visibility was the best we’ve seen in a long with a long spell of calm weather on the east coast. However it did deteriorate rapidly come mid August, due to frequent windy weather, much of which was easterly. This unfortunately brought an abrupt and premature end to clubhouse diving for a lot of people.

At this point I would like to take the time to thank those of you who helped to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the dive season.
There is a huge amount of work involved in getting all the equipment down to the west which I think sometimes goes unnoticed. This work is not just done for the DO it is done for you, the members.
So thanks to all the towers and to those who were running around organising, collecting, buying or servicing other ancillary equipment. I won’t mention any names, lest I omit someone, suffice to say thanks to you all for your time and effort. Also, thanks Ken and Tiernan for the use of your boats during the season and to Gerry for the use of his trailer.

Diving doesn’t happen without divers who are well trained up, and equipment that’s in good working order. So thanks to Niall and Gerry for ensuring we had both this year.
Thanks also to all the instructors and leaders who gave up their time to lead dives during the year and to all the DODs

On a negative side, there were a few complaints about boat diving not being organised by DODs. If the weather allows, and there are enough qualified coxs, boat diving should be provided by the DOD for club members.

The Trips:

Easter – Mullaghmore
We had about 30 divers travel at Easter with a mixture of boat and shore diving. Overall people enjoyed the diving with the exception of diving thumb rock from shore. Thumb rock itself is pleasant to dive, however entry and exit has been made difficult due to the work that has been done on coastal erosion. Other dives were done on John’s Point and Mullaghmore Head which were all very enjoyable.

May bank holiday – Belmullet
Probably some of the best diving we had all year. 26 people travelled and diving was at Eagle Island, Scotch Port, Dhu na Mo and Achill. We had exceptional visibility this weekend and I think we were very fortunate as the weather looked threatening all weekend and eventually turned on the Monday preventing any diving.

June Bank Holiday – Clare
Thanks Alan for organising and running the w/end. There were 28 divers and four dives completed. Unfortunately there was an Atlantic swell over the w/end which could be felt down as deep as 30m which made diving some what uncomfortable. However by all accounts, it was an enjoyable and learning weekend for many.

June Week - Bofin Island
Thanks Neill for organising and running the week. Thankfully “The Real DO” was there also, just to oversee things!
As always Bofin was a very enjoyable week, with what must be the biggest group yet. Most of the classic dives were achieved including a trip out to Turk Island and a number of trips out to High Island. The weather was kind to us with the exception of one day when people took time off to walk the Island and go for a swim. Rhona ran another successful Bofin challenge, thanks Rhona and Brendan Murdock was practising his golf swing, using the club boats as the hole! He was also giving lessons, explaining to Niall that he should be further away from the ball after he’s swung!
Another great week!

August Bank Holiday-Burtonport
A very enjoyable week with good weather although quite a big swell on the outside of Aranmore Island for the first few days rendering some of the better dive sites off limits!
Louise and Kevin were fortunate enough to see a large Sunfish mid water (well, small by Sunfish standards) which is very rare and others were unfortunate enough to see the “decapitated” seal on the bottom at Tourneady! Brid was unfortunate enough to surface in a wee cave and was struggling to get out due to a surge but then fortunate enough to be rescued by (to use Brid’s words) “a bit of alright” from Trinity divers!
A total of 27 divers travelled to Burtonport during the course of the week or ten days.

Clubhouse Diving.
There was in excess of 100 dives done from the clubhouse or Dunlaoire including about 14 dives down to the wreck of the Guide Me II.
Thanks to all who did dry cox this year, to Shane O’Connor on behalf of the “Friday Dossers” and to the other coxs over our weekends away, some of whom were in their dry suits, or wet suits all day.

Congrats to all those who received certification this year. There were many ranging from 1 star divers to instructor grades and, coxs to nitrox divers.

I am happy with the way the year went and have thoroughly enjoyed it once again.

Thanks to the Committee for their support during the year and I am standing down as DO. I wish the incoming DO, and committee the very best for next year.

Regards

Shane Tyrrell