Rossaveal to Rossaveal
Crew members : Skipper Mick, first mate Mick, marine biologist Hélène, Adam, Patricia, Rachel, Sinead, Sorcha.
Embarking on a marine expedition aboard the Celtic Mist offers an exhilarating mix of adventure, discovery, and the beauty of the natural world. Ever wondered what happens when a group of adventurers board a boat, armed with curiosity, a sense of humor, and a passion for marine life? Join us on a week filled with sailing, gull imitation, puffins, and other remarkable encounters, from the port of Killybegs to the quiet Knock Bay and open seas.
Day 1:
Our adventure began with an afternoon dedicated to preparation and familiarisation. We spent time shopping for essentials (snacks and cheese included of course), (re)discovering IWDG’s research vessel, the Celtic Mist, and meeting the crew members who would become our companions for the week. Excitement was in the air as we anticipated the journey ahead.
Day 2:
A technical issue kept us docked in Killybegs the second day (nothing to worry about), but we made the most of the day. The scientific protocols were introduced to the crew, followed by discussions about the marine mammals we hoped to encounter. Leisure activities filled the day—reading, knitting, and playing a unique version of rummy, with our own rules – criticised by Adam when it wasn’t to his advantage. We learned knot-tying, and after diner, we enjoyed a sunny pub evening and cheered Sinead and Sorcha playing pool.
Day 3:
Finally, perfect weather! We set off early, savouring breakfast while sailing. Our first surprise came swiftly—a pod of common dolphins greeted us at the bow performing an impromptu show. Their playful jumps and synchronized swimming had us all cheering. As we headed between Inis Mór and Inis Man we spotted more common dolphins swimming peacefully with young ones, but we were far from realising that was just the beginning of an amazing mind blowing day….
That afternoon we spotted many other common dolphins, marine birds (so many lovely puffins!), seals, and five Basking Sharks. Imagine our astonishment when a basking shark decided to jump out of the water, giving us a heart-stopping moment. The highlight was trying to identify an elusive breaching animal, only for it to vanish again, leaving us scratching our heads (Minke whale?). As the day ended, we anchored in Knock Bay, accompanied by a grey seal. The evening was spent reading, dining on deck, a juggling lesson by Sinead, and playing Qwirkle. We ended our day with weather and navigation planning for the next day.
Day 4:
Despite the grey skies and wind, conditions were still suitable for observation. The stunning Connemara landscapes provided a picturesque backdrop as we spotted a few common dolphins and a basking shark. The day’s sightings were sparse compared to the previous day, highlighting the unpredictable nature of marine exploration, but just being able to sail kept our spirits high. We ended the day in Rossaveal, where a lovely dinner accompanied by music discussions and “kind of Uno” (wild) card game, capped off the evening.
Day 5:
Strong winds meant no sailing that day, but the sun was out, so we split up for different adventures. Some of us explored Galway or stayed on the boat, while the rest of us headed to Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands. Renting bikes, we embarked on a quest for seals, enjoyed lunch in the sun and explored the island. Our scenic tour included shipwrecks, castle ruins, and a cemetery with a subterranean church – try to squeeze through a “good luck” window at the church if you dare, hilarious moment guaranteed. The return ferry ride was a mix of laughter and sea spray as we tried to dodge the waves crashing over the sides. After dinner and crêpes, we engaged in card games and a seagull call contest, each attempt more absurd than the last (Mick is definitely the winner!).
Day 6:
Windy conditions limited our observations initially. All sails up, we sailed without the engine enjoying the sound of the waves crashing against the boat. We spotted a guillemot calling for its chick (same sound as Mick the night before) and we witness a lovely reunion. The wind dropped barely an hour after, provided a window for dolphin spotting. Although the wind picked up again in the afternoon, we enjoyed a brief observation session. Anchored in Knock Bay again, we ventured to Inishbarra for a walk and a swim on its stunning coral beach – bad attempt to bottling like seals. Back on the Celtic Mist, we warmed up with tea and dove in fiercely competitive chess and other board games.
Day 7: Final Journey to Rossaveal
With favourable weather, we set off early on our final day. We observed bottlenose dolphins feeding from a distance due to shallow waters, using binoculars, but their acrobatics keeping us entertained. The day remained calm, with few sightings of sunfish, common dolphins and grey seals. The numerous seabirds, especially puffins, continued to amaze us. Returning to Rossaveal one last time, we packed our belongings and cleaned the boat. Over the final cup of tea, we said our goodbyes, promising to reunite next year aboard the Celtic Mist, determined to tick off humpback whales and orcas from our Celtic Mist bucket list.
Overall Stats
We sailed 310km, spend 213km and more than 21 hours on effort (looking for animals). We had 47 sightings, the majority of them common dolphins, but we also spotted common seals, grey seals, basking sharks, bottlenose dolphins and –maybe- a Minke whale. Big thanks to our lovely crew for all your work and the good craic!
Our week aboard the Celtic Mist was a blend of marine biology, sailing, and good craic. Each day brought new discoveries and unforgettable experiences, making this journey one to cherish and repeat. The Celtic Mist didn’t just take us on a journey across the sea; it gave us memories and friendships. Until next time, may the winds be ever in our favour and the dolphins always dancing at our bow.
Hélène Quevreux
Celtic Mist Biologist
𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 s𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ Fair Seas. 𝐷𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛, 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑀𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑, 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠.