Ireland: The Swim

It started as a stop-off like any other.  Here we are, beginning our tour of Ireland and we find ourselves driving past the beaches where Alex, Greg and Jean-Mi came to surf the Irish Sea the day before.  So why wouldn't we stop and see these glorious Irish sand and waves that the boys told us their stories about.

We'd just come down the Dingle pass, out and into the northern side of the peninsula.  There didn't appear to be any shortage of beaches, but this was Ireland after all and the weather didn't exactly scream beach time.  But, we felt the need to stop and see.

I can't even remember the name of the beach now.  It's not terribly important.  We followed the signs, snaking our way down off the main road and parking the car in a small parking lot behind rows of rocks that blocked our direct view of the water.  We were greeted upon walking out onto beach with what seemed like miles of sand.  The tide was out so that the beech was not only wide, but deep.

We strolled around for a while, taking note of all the cars parked and the families setting up with towels and umbrellas up near them.  No one was down next to the water, which I suppose meant that the tide could be coming back in at any time.  Guess the water must not be very deep and when the tide comes in, it comes far.


We wondered up to the waters edge.  The water, while cool, actually wasn't terrible.  At this point, we gave each other a look.  That look turned into "I dare you" smiles.  I hemmed and hawed, feeling like it would both be a completely stupid idea and something completely fun and spontaneous.  OK, fine.  And so, all the clothes came off save the undies and in I went.  When else would I get to swim in Irish waters!


I was right in that the water wasn't deep.  A hundred yards out and I could still stand.  I swam a bit, rode a couple waves, tried to see if the fine Irish people, some in wetsuits, were staring at this odd American.  Finally, my butt started to get cold, which is odd considering it was the only covered part of my body.  So, I got out.  And my 10 minute adventure swim came to an end.  Was it worth it?  Of course!  Quite the story and funny pictures if nothing else.


With no towel, I was no going to nonchalantly dry off under the partly cloudy skies in my skivvies.  I found a nice round rock that had warmed in the sun.  That seemed like a good place to help speed up the drying process. After about 15 minutes, it was time to leave the beech behind.  I carried my still dry clothes back to the car, stealthily changed into dry undies and we were off, back on the road and on to Kenmare.