Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Craigy123 on April 24, 2013

Title: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on April 24, 2013
Hi guys, back again for some trip planning and I really do miss you all  :D

Anyway my thoughts are on a trip to Gola Island off the coast of Donegal.

My plan is to bring my jet ski and a toy or 2 for the back, a small boat and maybe a canoe or something. If we could get some competent climbers to join us the climbing is awesome.

I'm sure we could get enough activities planned to fill a long weekend. I've filled nearly 2 weeks on this island before.

There is accommodation if anyone doesn't want to camp but its quite expensive.

Shops are available only on the mainland.

Provisionally this is set as Thursday 27th June until the Sunday or Monday. If people are making their own way then this is very flexible.

http://www.donegalislands.com/gola/ (http://www.donegalislands.com/gola/)

Gola Island - Getting There

A ferry sails from Machaire Gathlán (Magheragallan) hourly from 11:00am, seven days a week, in peak season (July-August). Last sailing 6:00pm. Other seasons by booking.
10-minute crossing.

Whats your thoughts on this???
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 24, 2013
I like the look of this mate, good find

I'm glad your back !
Title: Gola Island
Post by: Kayakgirl on April 25, 2013
Might be interested.. Will check my diary
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on April 25, 2013
There are a few of my mates have said they are going as its listed as an event on my facebook, so if possible I'd like to keep these dates. As said its pretty flexible on when you arrive and leave. Check out the website for travel times. Plus we should have our own boat for use.

My aim is to try and run as many activities as I can in one weekend giving many people a chance to explore what they have never tried. If its relatively calm you can easily paddle around the whole island, its not a long paddle even out to the island, just about a mile.

There is loads of time between now and the date planned so I'm sure some stuff can be pulled together. It would be really great to get competent people in many areas, such as climbing, fishing, wild cooking etc. I've no doubt the Island is covered in wild herbs etc and there is decent fishing in the area I believe.

Things to consider:
> the shop is across the ocean... not handy if if you dont bring what you need. (but we can scoot in for emergency's)
> There is no toilets... the world is your loo!  What we tended to do was find a space when the tide was out and when it came back in you loo was flushed.
> You'll be among friends... so even if this is new to you everyone will help you out.
> New experience... Speaks for itself.
> Its gonna be very good fun.
Title: Gola Island
Post by: Kayakgirl on April 25, 2013
At the moment I am free,will pencil it in my diary.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 26, 2013
Right up my street, I'll keep an eye on this one and start my home work.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 29, 2013

Gola Island - Getting There

A ferry sails from Machaire Gathlán (Magheragallan) hourly from 11:00am, seven days a week, in peak season (July-August). Last sailing 6:00pm. Other seasons by booking.
10-minute crossing.

Contact:
Seod Ghabhla
(Gola Island Ferry Service)
Oileán Ghabhla, Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore),
Leitir Ceanbinn, Co Dhún na nGall
M: 087-660 7003
W: www.donegalislands.com

Note to sailors
There are two piers on Gola: one at Tráigh na mBláthán on the east side and the other at Port an Chruinn on the south side. Their use is weather dependent, but when one is exposed the other is generally sheltered and provides safe landing conditions.

Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on April 29, 2013
I've secured a wee tender rib which would be perfect for wee runs to and from main land if needed, Currently working on a fishing boat and my ski is ready and waiting.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 29, 2013
Cracker mate !!!

I would love a rib, any pictures mate ?
Title: Gola Island
Post by: Spud on April 29, 2013
Cracker mate !!!

I would love a rib, any pictures mate ?

Had these at the weekend, they were great!  ;D ;)
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 30, 2013
Lol spud  ;D

Looks the ticket mate !
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on April 30, 2013
Its just a wee flat bottom tender rib, designed for beaching. I like spuds picture better though.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 30, 2013
How many does it carry craigy ?
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on April 30, 2013
the wee rib would take 2 plus the pilot. Its looking like just 3 of us so far anyway so might be ok   ???
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on April 30, 2013
Sounds good mate  :D
Title: Gola Island
Post by: Kayakgirl on May 03, 2013
I'm going to pull out of this as I've been asked to work.. Needs must!
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 04, 2013
And then there were 2...
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on May 05, 2013
  ;D lets dander the 27th of June.

Craigy Inishkeas islands north and south could be next along are little island ;D

Regards wolf and the rib  ;)
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 05, 2013
Yea there are some great walking islands near by, I believe Aran has a fantastic cliff side walk, anyone want to correct me on this as I'm simply going from a memory of being told.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 11, 2013
Not going to do the thursday now, just friday saturday and sunday I think, but as said its open to change and people are free to come and go. I thought there might have been a bit more interest in this. So whats everyones thoughts?
 
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Rumblebum on May 11, 2013
Hi Craigy hope your all good.

Yeah man it's a really good suggestion but unfortunately I don't think il be able to make this one, hope you get a good night though.

RB.  :)
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 12, 2013
Fingers crossed. I've opened it up to pwc forums and the mountaineering Ireland forums. Hopefully I'll get a few skilled people going to help run some activities. Failing that it will evolve into a watersport/camping weekend.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Mourneman on May 12, 2013
wow,that looks a real cracker of an island-

sorry craigy would love to go,but i've a wedding that weekend,look forward to the trip report
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 15, 2013
There are now 7 people going hopefully from my facebook, I'd really like some guys from the forum to go too, your knowledge and skills would be most welcome. I think this will be a great weekend trip to somewhere new.
Title: Gola Island
Post by: KyleL on May 15, 2013
Have been watching this thread. Unfortunately I won't know if I'm off work until closer to the time. All the best either way.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: t18con on May 15, 2013
Have been watching this thread. Unfortunately I won't know if I'm off work until closer to the time. All the best either way.


what he said for me too
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on May 15, 2013
I could be up for it, I'll do my best to go mate.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on May 18, 2013
Hey guys, read Wolf_Larsons personal message below his posts. Its pretty good. And on that note have we any new takers on this trip?
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on May 19, 2013
 ;)
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on June 12, 2013
Gonna stop this idea, several reasons.  :(
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on June 13, 2013
I just got an op on my foot on wed there  >:(

Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on June 13, 2013
What happened your foot? I panicked as a child once when my mum said I grew another foot.....
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on June 14, 2013
Lol Craigy

Last sep I heard a pop in my foot playing football, I never thought nothing of it until I done hard training a phew mouths ago, after X-ray, MRI, CT scan I had two fractures, big toe and a sesamiod bone. It was the sesamiod that was hurting alot, the big toe I've never had trouble with (strange) 

So I got oparaceion on sesamiod on wednesday and now I'm sitting doped up and using needles in my stomach to thin my blood. I very like a junkie lol

Im very happy that I got it done, fingers crossed it will work and ill be on the hills once again !!

Regards wolf
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Craigy123 on June 15, 2013
That was entertaining reading that, they must be good drugs your own. Hopefully by summers end I'll have a trip to gola arranged better with more to go. Any one want to suggest dates?

Wolf...a long standing thought of mine...your photo is a shark....your name is wolf... see where I'm going lol.

I was chatting to the powers that be at bunbeg, no problems launching boats or jet skis at the harbor there.
Title: Re: Gola Island
Post by: Wolf_Larson on June 15, 2013
I love the Great white sharks mate, wolf larson came from a amazing book  :D

Im glad your still thinking of that trip, hopefully ill be good for it.

Regards wolf