11 July 2010

An afternoon stroll on the beach in Skerries

It was good to be back on the beach in Skerries this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

Patrick Comerford

During the past week, I had regular walks on the beaches of Crete. But it was good to get back to Skerries this afternoon.

I was in the cathedral this morning for the Sung Eucharist. The celebrant was the Revd Canon Dr Ginnie Kennerley, editor of Search, and the preacher was the Revd Canon Dr John Bartlett, a former Precentor of Christ Church Cathedral and a former Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College. This morning, I acted as deacon, read the Gospel, and assisted at the administration of the Eucharist.

After coffee in the crypt, I headed off to Skerries, and had lunch in the Olive on Strand Street, before going for a stroll on the beach.

Skerries Lifeboats was staging a triathlon, hoping to raise €3,500, and so the beach path was crowded with participants, organisers and spectators. But it was a bright and sunny afternoon, and so it was hard not to image that Skerries would still have attracted large numbers after the recent spell of rain in Dublin.

The rocks on the edges of Red Island this afternoon (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

I strolled on up around Red Island and back to harbour. The latest edition of Skerries News reports in detail on ambitious proposals from Skerries Sailing Club to transform Skerries Harbour into a multi-million-euro marina. The plan envisages an 80-100 berth marina, a new pier, clubhouse and car park, a fixed breakwater, and deepening the harbour.

A new marina could benefit all interests in Skerries (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

Looking out at the yachts and sailing boats, with the Mountains of Mourne as a backdrop, it was easy to see out this proposal could bring immense benefits to every interest in Skerries.

There are plans too to develop Holmpatrick Cove, near Holmpatrick Church, with a new hotel, leisure facilities and sports grounds.

A picturesque thatched cottage on the road between Skerries and Rush (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2010)

From Holmpatrick, I headed back out on the Rush Road, stopping on the way to look at a picturesque, roadside thatched cottage.

Back in Rush, the sea views were captivating in the bright sunlight. Once again I was conscious of how good these beach walks are for my feelings of well-being even if they don’t alter the symptoms. I may have sarcoidosis, but sarcoidosis will never have me.