Reen Pier. A Magical Place. Day and Night.
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| This view, looking towards the Atlantic, was taken from a hilly road above Reen Pier. |
In October 2015, in a dark corner of Castlehaven Bay, with slender branches just overhead and rocks in front, I lifted a piece of seaweed from a floating bunch. Immediately it sparkled with white light, a string of “pearls” falling back into the seawater, one or two remaining that bit longer on the piece, even on my hand. Magic at night in a sea inlet in West Cork.
We were in a kayak, with guide Jim Kennedy of Atlantic Sea Kayaking in another. We had met him at his base on Reen Pier on the eastern side of the inlet; Castletownsend (nearer the sea) is on the western side. We left the base sometime after sundown and now, ninety minutes or more later, we are like kids with a new toy. It is called bioluminescence and comes from dissolved organic matter in seawater. |
| More on that 2015 trip here |
There was more of it in certain corners of the inlet than others and Jim knew exactly where to find the best examples. You have to slightly disturb the water - with your hand or paddle - to see it and then it sparkles and vanishes until you do it again.
We were in darkness on that trip, the better to see the magic. On the latest journey there, from our lovely base at the nearby Celtic Ross Hotel, we enjoyed the scenery in brilliant sunshine..jpg) |
Another pic from 2015. Atlantic Seakayaking still has its base here.
They offer a variety of tours and coaching and you may get all the info on their website here. |
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| The ocean is out there, Castlehaven is in to the right |
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| This sauna is a new feature in Reen (quite close to Union Hall) and may be booked via the Coffee Cup below. |
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| And there's coffee as well. Breakfast too with baps and croissants. Lunch offerings include sandwiches and a Ploughman's Platter. More on the Coffee Cup here. |
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| Collage from 2015 |
See also on this trip:
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