National Geographic Explorer sailed into an exceptionally calm and sunny Cork Harbour this morning, coming alongside in the picturesque island town of Cobh. After a morning of town tours and birdwatching around the harbour, we were treated to a display of hurling, a traditional Irish sport. A brass band bade us farewell as we sailed on towards Isles of Scilly.
For as long as he can remember, Conor has always been preoccupied with the natural world, from the whales to the fungi. For most of his life he has been an islander: growing up in Cobh, Ireland and settling down in Tobermory in the Hebrides, Scotland...
This morning, we woke to typical English weather – grey skies, a moderate breeze, and drizzling rain. We knew our lucky run of stunning weather would run out eventually; however, no one let that get in the way of a lovely morning in Tresco. We were shuttled ashore by Zodiac and met by a local guide who gave us a wonderfully fascinating tour of the Tesco Abbey Gardens. First established almost 200 years ago, these seventeen beautifully landscaped acres are home to various native and exotic plants. The vibrant and dense plant life provides the perfect habitat for many species of birds and insects, and the garden was a hive of activity on this damp yet beautiful spring morning. Guests were particularly keen to see a Lady Amherst’s pheasant, which is actually a non-native resident. Although well-established at Tresco, the pheasants can be elusive. However, most guests were treated to excellent views of a male pheasant, looking his brilliant best. The weather dramatically improved throughout the afternoon as we cruised around the outer isles looking for wildlife. We were rewarded with multiple pods of common dolphins, a fin whale, and various species of seabirds, including everyone’s favourite – puffins.
After our beautiful introduction to Ireland yesterday, we were again treated to a glorious sunny day exploring the Irish coast. After a tasty breakfast, the first highlight of the day was a ship’s cruise of Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. The air was full of gannets as we circled the two islands and marveled at the birds covering the cliffs. The ancient monastery and beehive huts on the steep slopes of Skellig Michael are a sight to behold! Following our cruise around the incredible Skellig Islets, we were back in the lounge for an informative lecture on Irish history from one of our onboard historians, Josh Peck. After a fantastic lunch, we headed ashore to experience the scenic Dingle Peninsula and begin our adventures. Many of us headed out on a scenic drive around Slea Head and the surrounding areas, whilst some of us visited the Blasket Island Centre. For those wanting to hike and perhaps a drink at the famous South Pole Inn, we hiked the back paths of Annascaul and visited the grave of polar explorer Tom Crean. Back on board after a fantastic visit to Dingle, we settled in for a lively recap and cocktail hour, followed by another delicious dinner from the galley team.
