Around Ireland RIB Trip | Written By Ross Walsh

Young Ross Walsh (aged 11) decided he wanted to go to this year's Ardbeg Trip, but being based in Cork, he knew that wasn’t going to be easy. So he kitted out his SF1050 ‘Atlantic Dawn’, brought the old man with him and headed North, rendezvousing with us in Cushendall in time to cross the North Channel to Ardbeg. We hear about Ross' trip in his own words...

Leaving Goleen

We left Goleen on Monday, 11th August with a following sea behind us. After about three hours we arrived at O’Neill’s at the Point, across from Valentia Island. We stayed the night on Valentia in the Royal Hotel, which was conveniently right beside the marina.

Valentia to Aran

Leaving Valentia, we crossed Dingle Bay and stopped at the Great Blasket Islands, where the RedBay boat Peig Sayers, was dropping passengers to visit the island. We continued along the coast towards Loop Head Lighthouse, where we witnessed a basking shark fully breach. We then passed the Cliffs of Moher and headed on to Inishmore for lunch.

Aran to Inishbofin

After Inishmore, we travelled to Cleggan to refuel both ourselves and the boat. We had dinner in Oliver’s Bar before heading across to Inishbofin for the night. The people on Bofin were very welcoming and helped us tie up the boat.

Inishbofin to Downings Bay

The next day we set off in thick fog and made our way to Keem Beach, which was amazing! After that we headed for Slieve League to see the massive cliffs. We continued up past Arranmore Lighthouse, where we met another Redbay boat called Galtee, which was doing survey work. We pushed on for Downings Bay. It had been a long day on the water, but the beaches and nice places to eat made it totally worth it. Time to refuel again!

Downings bay to Redbay

The sea freshened up overnight, but we were still making good progress, cruising at 40 knots around Malin Head. Next we visited the Giant’s Causeway and then the Rope Bridge. Finally, Atlantic Dawn was home when we arrived in Redbay. We were greeted by Tom, Conor and a few more Redbays that had travelled up from Cork for the Ardbeg trip. Their boats were swiftly launched and then we all travelled to Rathlin for lunch.

Scotland 

The following morning, we planned to go to Gigha for food. The water was choppy but we made it across in around an hour and a half. We ate in the Boathouse and then made our way back to Cushendall. 

The Ardbeg Boat Run

The following morning was the day we had all been waiting for: The Ardbeg Boat Run. Tom led us in Corryvreckan with over forty Redbays behind him. The sea conditions were amazing, no wind and flat seas, which made it very enjoyable for everyone. Once we reached Ardbeg, we moored the boat and then got a lift into the pier. Everyone had some food and drink in the distillery and then enjoyed the music. We left Ardbeg and travelled to Rathlin. Some people even went for a swim there! After an hour or two we left Rathlin and returned to Cushendall. Tom and Conor were flying around with tractors, getting all the boats out before the barbeque. Later that day, we had delicious food at the yacht club. 

The Long Trip Home

The next day we fuelled up Atlantic Dawn and began the 270-mile trip to Cork. We stopped in Dun Laoghaire for food, and then continued the journey. From Dun Laoghaire to Carnsore Point there was a huge sea coming across us but after that it was a big following sea as we made our way to Monkstown. After an 8-hour journey, with an average speed of 35 knots, we had finally completed the Around Ireland trip. 

In total, we travelled over a thousand miles and had used 2,100 litres of petrol. The Redbay 1050 is one of a kind for comfort, speed and seakeeping.