We have arrived to County Donegal on the very northwestern edge of Ireland. Killybegs, the second largest seaport in Ireland, was our gateway to exploring this incredible Gaeltacht region, which is predominantly Irish speaking and is still very rich in cultural traditions. Some of us hiked the hills and cliff edges surrounding Glencolmcille, the village named after St. Colmcille, who is the patron saint of Donegal. Others visited local archaeological sites to explore Ireland’s ancient past. Some of us delved into local wool milling traditions by exploring how world-famous Irish woolen garments, such as tweed and blankets, are made.
5/8/2025
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National Geographic Explorer
The West Coast of Ireland
Today marked the day we entered Irish waters, and we were incredibly lucky to continue being graced with the most uncommon weather for the British and Irish Isles – calm seas and clear, sunny skies! These spectacular conditions made for a wonderful morning spent watching dolphins ride the bow of National Geographic Explorer. We enjoyed smooth sailing for our presentations, including a fantastic talk about Climate Justice and the Climate and Nature Crisis by the amazing Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland. After lunch, we visited the Aran Island of Inishmore where we enjoyed wonderful hospitality on the small island of less than 800 people. We admired the spectacular views from the steep sea cliffs near Dun Aengus. To round out a delightful first day exploring the coast of Ireland, we carried on cruising with calm sea conditions, the stunning cliffs of Moher on our port side, and a glowing sunset on our starboard side.