London-based Clidive embarked on a self-sufficient , two-week expedition to County Donegal , Ireland , in search of wilderness diving . Story by Chris Wilson
EXPEDITION
Clidive ’ s Atlantic Adventure
London-based Clidive embarked on a self-sufficient , two-week expedition to County Donegal , Ireland , in search of wilderness diving . Story by Chris Wilson
Sliabh Liag cliffs
One of the things I enjoy most about diving is the sense of exploration . Exploration in diving is often associated with deep wrecks , but there are other ways to explore and dive somewhere few , if any , have dived before . In search of adventure , in June 2023 I went with 16 members of Clidive ( BSAC branch 410 ) to the beautiful rural village of Teelin in County Donegal , Ireland . We discovered fantastic diving that exceeded even the stunning beauty above the surface . If your club doesn ’ t run expeditions like this , I ’ m hoping to convince you that it ’ s well worth the effort , and if you do run expeditions , that Teelin should be on your radar !
Glenlough Bay
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The Wild Atlantic Way
Teelin was suggested as a base by Peter McCamley of Gas Technologies , who rent out compressors to us for our expeditions . He trains new divers and dives deeper wrecks from there and is very enthusiastic about the high quality of diving and ease of logistics . It turns out he was right .
Clidive is based in central London so we have no option but to travel for our diving . We own two well-equipped RIBs , and the majority of our training and diving is from these . This regular practice in a variety of locations teaches and keeps fresh the skills required to do more adventurous expeditions .
PHOTO : OP
We took one boat , our 7-metre , 225hp RIB . It was an easy tow via the Liverpool to Belfast overnight ferry , with a good sleep in a cabin , and a hearty truckers ’ dinner and breakfast . We took our dive kit with the boat , allowing the majority of the group to fly via Derry .
Teelin is in a famously beautiful part of north-west Ireland . It ’ s part of the Gaeltacht , so Gaelic is the main language there . It ’ s best known for the Sliabh Liag sea cliffs , the second highest in Europe and they are really quite a sight . We rented two cottages in the village , a short drive from the pier . We were blown away with the spectacular ruggedness of the nature on the Wild Atlantic Way . Stepping out of our cottage in the morning to views of rolling countryside and far off cliff faces was simply unforgettable .
We were split into two groups over the two weeks . Week one was responsible for getting the boat there and launching and week two for recovering and returning it . Everyone played their part ; we all took turns at cooking , making lunch , pumping cylinders and fuelling boats . Each week had its own feel and very different weather , but both had great camaraderie and diving .
Diving and geography
Teelin is on the north side of Donegal Bay . Above the water , most of the coastline is composed of steep cliffs with large