Cork Sub Aqua Club

There are few venues in Ireland where four dives would be possible despite force eight gales. Knightstown on Valentia Island was chosen for the October weekend because of various sheltered spots, but even so, suitable locations for diving were few.

We were joined by six or seven enthusiastic divers from NMCI SAC. They stayed relatively sober compared to the Cork bunch, but seemed to have enjoyed the weekend a lot.

At this time of year, dusk falls early and, after the clocks went back, the highlight for many people was a 6PM night dive from a beach at Knightstown. Cuttlefish, greater pipefish, and the strangely named: three bearded rockling were seen, along with more common species. Donnacha’s navigation skills had become rusty after a year in the crystal clear waters of Australia, so he surfaced in the harbour. After his sense of direction was restored by alcohol, we followed his bagpipes to a halloween fancy dress party at the Royal, and back again, where the party continued in house 7. 2AM bagpipes are a little bit antisocial, but I don’t think that anyone was going to call the Gardai.