The Curragh Junior snorkelers have been
coming down to the clubhouse in Sandycove every Tuesday
night since end of April for a snorkel. The weather over
the summer has been mixed but luckily hasn’t stopped
us from going out any evening. We have been exploring
Scotman’s
Bay, Sandycove Harbour and the Forty Foot and when the
tide was right, we snorkeled around the Forty Foot to
Lady’s
Well where we saw more plants and animals. There was
an abundance of starfish and molluscs and we saw a big
dogfish
as well as plenty of blennies.
The seals are getting closer and more curious as the Summer
progresses, though no fin nipping yet, just popped up beside
us a few times to say hello and check us out, scared the
living daylights out of a few little ones (okay, one senior
too!!).
Saturday 5th July Junior Snorkellers
Day out
Daniel Nolan, Conor Fitzgerald, Lachlin Cunninghan, Megan
Allen, Keith Allen and Sebastian Curran came along for
a trip out on the RIB in July from the clubhouse. Sarah
Lyle, Louise Nolan, Sarah Jane Burns and Simon Carolan
gave the kids some interesting facts about the coast
along Dalkey, Killiney and the Muglins(where people
were brought
and hanged, some bones were found on the island but we
figured the comorrants and gulls had dropped these!).Then,
back to clubhouse for a snorkel. All the juniors performed
perfect backwards entry off the boat, mostly their first
time doing do. The same could not be said for the Seniors:
[Two went first to 'show' how it is done (in fairness,
that was my first time backing off the boat) so I went
first and my mask strap came off and was on my forehead,
couldn't find it! Then the other experienced senior backed
off the boat and their snorkel mouthpiece detached, think
mask came off too! Oh the Shame. Typical but it gave
all the yung'uns a good laugh]. Tide was high in Sandycove
harbour, which was ideal for practicing step entries
off
the wall.
Conor Fitzgerald drew a picture and tells us the whole
story below.
We have 15 snorkelers receiving certificates this year-
6 Junior, 8 Intermediate and 1 Senior. New members have
joined over the summer and are looking forward to further
training in the pool which will start in Newpark School
Sports Centre 28th September and each Sunday thereon
until December 7th.
We took some photographs over the last few months to
give you an idea of what we do each week. Here too
is what some
of the other Juniors have to say about their Summer
and snorkeling with the Curragh S.A.C.
Elena Coyle
Junior Snorkelling Officer
CURRAGH SAC BOAT TRIP 5/7/2003
- By Conor FitzGerald
It was a warm Saturday afternoon and we were taking
the club’s boat (115 hp Yamaha 2-stroke outboard
coupled with a Lencraft rib) out for the day to go to
Dalkey Island and to go for a snorkel. We met at the
club (Curragh S.A.C.) at around one o’clock.
The boat arrived shortly after 1pm and when everyone
had arrived we set out in the direction of Dalkey Island.
When we were nearing Dalkey Sound we could see the L.E.
Niamh, a naval ship passing through the Sound. As we
went further towards Killiney Bay we saw some seals swimming/fishing
just off Dalkey Island, and some just lying on the rocks.
Anyway we headed over to the Muglins.
The other side of Dalkey Island is usually much more
stormy than the land facing side but today they were
about even. When we got to the Muglins we circled around
it once and saw a seal cub lying on the rocks. Then we
moored by the steps and had a look around the Island.
There were lots of seagulls there – the Island
was practically covered with them. Because of the seagulls
and the seal there were also lots of fish bones.
We got off the Island and back into the boat and had
something to eat. By now the seal was in swimming/fishing
with its’ mother. We then started to head back
in the direction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour. We kept going
in that direction until about the middle of Scotmans
Bay. There we started heading towards Teddys. All of
us except for three got out to go to the shop. As we
were
going back to the boat we saw the “Save
our Baths” protest in Dun Laoghaire. When we got
back to the pier the HSS was after coming in and had
created huge waves which were coming right over the pier.
The boat had to pull back out until it died down.
Once we got back into the boat we headed back to the
club-house to get changed for snorkeling. When everyone
was ready we got a lift out a bit and then snorkeled
towards Sandycove Beach. On the way we saw some jellyfish,
some poisonous jellyfish and some small-fry. When we
got in, the tide was in so we did some entries and duck-
dives. Coming towards the end of the snorkel a guy called
Keith got stung by a huge poisonous jellyfish but it
wasn’t too serious. Then a few others and I snorkeled
back to the club. When we all got back we had some food
and drinks.
Ronan Murphy's Review
This year has been one of the most enjoyable for me.
I have encountered and swam with a lovely dolphin and
I have joined a great diving club.
I was always a keen swimmer and swim with my school club
and trained at Glenalbyn swimming pool since I was young
and continue to do so. I owe my interest in diving
to the Dolphin I met earlier in the year. She completely captivated me and encouraged
me to swim and play with her in the sea. From then on I’ve had a growing
interest in the sea and marine life.
I decided to contact my local swimming pool (Glenalbyn) to get some names and
numbers of diving clubs in the Dublin area. This is how I found out about the
Curragh S.A.C.
This summer we have been snorkeling in the sea at Sandycove, where our clubhouse
is situated. We go out snorkeling every Tuesday evening to explore the marine
life and the local seals often accompany us.
It is great fun and I have met lots
of new friends. The instructors are very enthusiastic and helpful. We all learn
a lot from them.
Come September, we will be training in the pool. This is when new members can
be introduced to snorkeling and existing members are advanced up through the
different grades on the snorkeling course.
During the summer we went on a trip to Dalkey Island for a day out on board the
new club R.I.B. All had a great time. We now have a few more dives to go until
September and we are all looking forward to our club BBQ at the end of August.
I’ve had a great summer with the club. I thoroughly enjoy this sport and
I would recommend the Curragh S.A.C to anyone young or old who wants to DIVE.
Ronan Murphy
