Green Water and Guinness: Diving Ireland's West Coast
Posted By Linden Wolbert on 27 November 2006
The month of September yielded many exciting things. To be more specific, DSAT Productions, PADI's in-house video production company, invited me to join them as on-screen talent on their upcoming video and stills shoot to Ireland and England. This being my first trip to Europe, it was highly anticipated. The prospect of diving in such places as the West Coast of Ireland and the English Channel with the PADI crew was both exhilarating and intimidating. Also on the agenda was England's famous Stoney Cove, which would be my first fresh water diving as well. With cameras following my every move, I explored new dive sites and new cultures. The first stop? Dublin, Ireland!
Driving on the Left side to the West side...
After a one-week whirlwind tour of France with friend and fellow DeeperBlue journalist Nico Danan, I ventured up to Ireland to meet the PADI/ DSAT production crew at the Dublin International Airport. After a 10 hour, non-stop flight from Los Angeles, the crew arrived with big smiles and heavy eyelids. Introductions were made and hugs were exchanged. Rental cars appeared, and our superfluous amounts of luggage, video and dive gear were loaded up into two minivans and a truck. Shortly thereafter, the group of weary travelers headed westbound, caravan style, for the County Galway. For the drivers, the challenge was mastering the difficult art of stick shifting as a southpaw, while driving on the left side of the road simultaneously. The most amusing part of being a passenger was watching the windshield wipers turn on spontaneously on the highway, although it was sunny. Turns out the levers for turn signals are also on the opposite side in Irish cars. Then there were all of the roundabouts... The whole commuting process was very educational and amusing.
The beautiful hotel where we stayed in Leenene, Galway, Ireland
Several hours and many sheep pastures later, we landed in one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen: The Village of Leenane. Our hotel was nestled in the lush hills of Galway, overlooking a breathtaking view of the pebble-fringed waters of Killary Fjord, the unbelievably green mountains, and pure blue skies. I could hardly wait to see what was under that water! The evening consisted of recovery from jetlag. Naturally, many of us ordered that highly anticipated "first Irish Guinness," which would serve not only as a serious life landmark, but a delicious and much deserved nightcap. I savored every sip.
The Divin' Irish: Gray is the new Green
The following morning, the crew scoped out the dive shop that would be hosting us for the next several days. Owned by the Gray family, Scuba Dive West is not your average dive shop. The facility is lovely. A large stone and wood structure, it sits on the rocky coastline surrounded by green hills spotted with sheep and cows. To look at it, you would never guess it is a dive shop. It appears more likely to be a bed and breakfast or quaint furniture store. Downstairs there is an area dedicated to equipment rental, but be sure to convert your lead from pounds to kilograms! Through the doorway is the purchasing area, where you can find the regular dive shop what-have-you's. Included are really cool Scuba Dive West t-shirts, which are grounds for serious bragging rights. Upstairs are the changing rooms and indoor showering area. My favorite part was the lounge, which is a room walled mostly by large windows. It's the perfect place for divers to warm up at the end of a great day with a mug of hot chocolate while enjoying the breathtaking view.
The Gray family pride: Scuba Dive West
The diving heritage involved with Scuba Dive West runs thickly through the veins of the brothers who own it. Brothers Cillian and Breffni Gray run a tight (and very effective) ship, and have been diving nearly as long as they could walk. Their father, Shane Gray, is given credit for introducing PADI to Ireland in 1988, and now spearheads the Golden Oldies Dive Society (GODS) for diving seniors in Ireland.
Irish diving heritage: From left to right, Cillian, Shane and Breffni Gray
The Grays are the most friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating shop owners and Divemasters I've encountered. They will transport you and your equipment to some of the west coast's most beautiful dive sites with speed and care. Dive briefs are not only informative and thorough, but come equipped with skillful drawings and safety regulations. They are also great with on-the-spot equipment repairs, and overall good cheer. These are divers who love their jobs, so much so that it is clear they don't consider it "work" at all.
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