The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 28

Malin Head, Co. Donegal
Rep. of Ireland
“My favourite place to sea
kayak is Malin Head, the
most northerly tip of the
Irish mainland with cliffs and
cove beaches washed by
Atlantic swell and swept by
tides racing to and from the
Irish Sea to the east.

“Fantastic scenery befits this remote
coastline with caves, arches, stacks,
tunnels, cliffs and the Garvan Isles, a
rocky offshore archipelago. Wildlife
abounds: seabird colonies, seals,
otters, dolphin, leaping tuna, minke
whale and the occasional orca and
breeding ground for basking sharks.

Adrian Harkin

www.inishadventures.com

PADDLERUK 28

“Offshore (and further north again)
lies Inishtrahull and the Torr Rocks.
The crossing to ‘the island’ takes
careful planning, an exercise that
every time satisfyingly tests the sea
kayaker’s skills.
“Out there, alone from the rest of
the world, the kayaker rests after an
arduous sea journey, having battled
tidal race, pitting mere mortal wits
against the energy and vagaries of a
boundless ocean.

“With only the company of
lamenting seals and the primeval
churring of that ocean wanderer, the
tiny storm petrel, calling a mate from
nests in stone walls, the sea kayaker
can sense the wildness of an island
with no boat service, deserted by
man for 90 years.”