Trip Report - Click here for images

Saturday, June 24th

The great PSAC trek north began with various members, two RIBS and a compressor heading for the small but perfectly proportioned village of Downings in Co. Donegal. Six houses were booked at the Coastguard Cottages on the outskirts of the village - a great location with stunning views across Downings and Sheep Haven Bay. House #3 was the venue for some post-trek beers. During the evening there was an astonishing amount of activity of a carnal nature. Numerous couplings took place with those involved engaging in repeated sexual acts and not always with the same partner. But enough about the rabbits.

Sunday, June 25th

Swelly conditions on Sunday afternoon were not conducive to diving but the sighting of (another) Basking Shark and Dublin’s defeat of Laois by a margin of fourteen points were adequate compensation. Our celebrations, however, were somewhat tempered by England advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Ecuador. A BBQ at the cottages was organised for the evening where some late arrivals joined the party including Clodagh and Paul fresh from their rabbit-killing spree across Donegal.

Monday, June 26th

Both RIBs were towed to Downings Pier and launched for the morning dive to nearby Black Rock. Divers were dropped into about 20m of water to the west of the rock and pottered around the various channels and gullies. The weather and dive conditions were excellent. On return to Downings Pier, bottles were dropped to Mevagh Dive Centre and lunch was enjoyed in McNutts - a pattern that was repeated over the week. (Note To Committee: Please ensure all future Club Weeks are organised within striking distance of a Dive Centre). For the evening dive, local man Kevin graciously invited himself on board to give us some pointers regarding local dive sites. Not since Captain Bligh surveyed Dublin Bay in 1800 has such a comprehensive reconnaissance of open water taken place. The trip took us to Tormor (where we did a wreck dive), French Man’s Rock, Bray Head and beyond. Eventually Kevin had to be hit over the head with a paddle and tied to the RIB to curb his enthusiasm. To be fair, he was extremely knowledgeable regarding local dive sites and provided some excellent pointers especially regarding the best way to dive Black Rock. (Note To Committee: Please ensure a comprehensive survey of next year’s location for Club Week is carried out). On our return to Downings at midnight, we dined in the hotel before partaking of a few beers in the Harbour Bar.

Tuesday, June 27th

Both RIBs headed to Bray Head and divers were dropped just short of the large cavern before proceeding into it. After the dive, a trip to the other side of Bray Head for a snorkel at the swim-through was organised. The club’s new training regime was launched here - surreptitiously reverse the RIB away from those trying to board it. The afternoon dive also took place at Bray Head with most divers heading through the swim-through and back out again. A trip to Glen and the delightful Glen Bar was organised for the evening. The food was good, the atmosphere convivial and even the non-smokers joined the smokers outside to enjoy the balmy conditions. Leah and Deirdre remained inside flirting with two Junior Certificate students.

Wednesday, June 28th

Tormor was the first port of call for a morning wreck dive while Bray Head was the destination for the afternoon dive. For evening entertainment, a cocktail party was organised - a first for Downings. Top marks to Leah and Deirdre for organising this and providing a smorgasbord of eclectic culinary delights including pan-seared yak’s liver with a juniper and oregano jus, squid testicle brouchette with a raspberry and chive colis, caramelised boar’s head pâté with cerises au vinaigre crackers and the pièce de résistance, gujons of bacon-wrapped goat ear with a glazed almond and tofu salsa. My Pringles felt very humbled.

Thursday, June 29th

At this stage of the week we had the process of launching both RIBs down to a fine art and with little delay both craft were on the water and heading out for the morning dive to Horn Head. Conditions were superb and the dive here was probably one of the best of the week. For the afternoon dive we returned to Black Rock and armed with more detailed information from local diver, Kevin, we dropped in and headed north keeping Black Rock to our right until reaching the large rock / pinnacle. The views of the ocean bed sweeping down and away from the rock at this point was a memorable dive highlight. A few beers in the Harbour Bar and a meal in The North Star in Carrigart brought the day to a close.

Friday, June 30th

For the morning dive, we returned to Horn Head but swelly conditions meant retreating to the more sheltered confines of Bray Head for a dive. A couple of hardy souls braved the conditions for an afternoon dive before both RIBs were taken from the water for the last time. Terry and Lynne’s new home was the venue for an end-of-week party / house-warming BBQ. The food was excellent, the beer and wine flowed and the views of the sunset across Downings and beyond were superb. As Roy would say, all credit to the guys for a great evening and many thanks to all those who contributed to an enjoyable and successful week - towers, coxswains, dive officers, Lugh, bottle fillers, and of course, to Leah for organising the week and looking after the finances.

Saturday, July 1st

Great end to a great week…Portugal 3 England 1

July 9th, 2006

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