IGA Weekend Excursion: Tory Island, Co. Donegal – 11th to 13th August

Reasons to go:

Perhaps not a once in a lifetime but a once in a decade opportunity to visit Toraí, Tory Island, a true jewel of the North Atlantic!
Tory Island is a remote, rocky island lying some 11km to the north of Bloody Foreland in Co. Donegal. The island is approximately 4km long by 1km wide.
Tory boasts extensive areas of Thorr Granite (Caledonian in age) displaying a range of variations throughout the island from features of foliation to porphyritic texture. Impressive, textbook Tertiary dykes of Dolerite are to be seen.
The eastern part of the island is made up of more erosion-resistant Dalradian Ards Quartzite and high, dramatic coastal cliffs occur here. Torai (Tor an Rí, Tower of the King) is named for the jagged features of the east end of the island where the mythic Balor Birugderc (Balor of the Evil Eye), King of the Formorians was said to live.
An opportunity to conduct some geology through Irish – Geolaíocht trí Ghaeilge – will be on offer during the weekend as Toraí is a Gaeltacht area. For those who have not been to the island before, a magical place awaits with Corncrakes, Ringed Plover and many other birds, semi-tame rabbits and lagoon-dwelling species are on show like nowhere else on Earth.
Bígí linn!

The Plan:

Travel on the Friday afternoon at 5pm on the Tory Island Ferry from Magheroarty to Tory Island.
Excursions all day Saturday and Sunday.
Evening Meal together on Saturday (Optional, please book if interested along with notice of any special dietary requirements).
Leaving 6pm Sunday evening from Tory to Magheroarty.

Important Information

Accommodation: BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!
Brú Thoraí / Tory Hostel Details:
Deirdre: 087 2987407
Óstán Radharc Na Céibhe/Tory Island Harbour View Hotel Details:
Sean and Patricia: 074 9135920
If you would like accommodation booked for you just contact us.

Tory Island Ferry c. €26 per person return, going from Magheroarty (not Bunbeg) on Friday or early Saturday morning, returning Sunday evening.
http://www.toryislandferry.com/

PLEASE NOTE:
Adverse weather conditions occasionally result in visitors to Tory Island being “marooned” for short periods of time beyond their original plans. Please check forecasts nearer to the time of this event and make appropriate plans where necessary if ferries are cancelled on Sunday 13th August.
Some time flexibility is an absolute requirement for this excursion.

Thanks! Go raibh maith agaibh!

Thanks to Máire Clár, Marjorie, Patricia and Deirdre for being so welcoming already!

Booking information:

Please contact Maria by email: maria@geology.ie