Beware the Flowing Tide

It's possible to walk out from the beach at Holmpatrick Cove (directly opposite Skerries Rugby Club) if you get the timing of the ebbtide right. A causeway reveals itself as the water diminishes. Best choose a really low tide as ordinary tides might be a little dodgy for walking there and getting back! A really low tide will give you ten to fifteen minutes which is all that's needed to explore this small island with its Martello Tower and associated ruins - a tower that featured strongly in Hugh Ryan's historical novel "The Kybe". If you visit by kayak, as I did, then you have no time worries to concern you. Beware though, the tides do funny things as they clash in the channels around the Skerries islands. Watch out for birds nests beneath your feet on Shenick's shoreline. If continuing on by boat or kayak to the other islands beware that they house seal colonies, whose residents may resent your intrusion! Landing on Rockabill is forbidden without a permit. There is often a warden on duty there guarding its wildlife. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/island/2224/comment/19547/

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