Five days to go in our ‘Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland’ contest

More than 1,661 members of the public have submitted entries for the Irish Times Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland competition. The closing date for entries is next Thursday, May 1st.

The hunt for the best spots to experience nature in Ireland's 32 counties began on March 29th. The Irish Times asked readers to write about their favourite places in Ireland to experience nature. You can read all the entries so far, write your own and learn more about the competition at irishtimes.com/gowild.

Here are some recent pitches.

Night kayaking, Co Cork
Splash . . . whoosh.

Splash . . . whoosh.

Splash . . . whoosh.

“Who’s there?” I called out quietly, not being able to identify what was making the sound we heard.

“We’re kayakers,” came a woman’s voice in the darkness. “What are you?”

“We’re sailors.”

We were at anchor, sitting out on deck, wrapped in layers of warm clothes, at midnight, one still August night. It was dark; so dark that you couldn’t see your hand when you held it to your face. In this small harbour in west Cork there was no ambient light from houses or streetlights – perfect darkness, which suited our purpose. Cosmic dust from a passing comet was to hit Earth’s atmosphere and be visible to us, assuming we got a clear night. So far, just stars.

“What on earth are you doing out on kayaks at night?” I asked the voice in the darkness.

“We were phosphorescing,” said the voice, proudly.

“You were what?”

“We were phosphorescing in a cave at the mouth of the harbour. I have never experienced anything so beautiful in my life.” She spoke in a soft voice, quietly excited, ecstatic and almost breathless at the wonder of it.“What were you doing?”

“We were in the pub.”

“What a waste. Oh, we’re off now. Good night.” Splash . . . whoosh.

And she or they were gone into the night.

My mystery kayaker is responsible for my bucket list getting a little bit longer. I absolutely want to go phosphorescing in a kayak in a cave on a dark night. I don't mind where.
Breeda Ryan

Cave camping, Co Donegal
The 14km or so of coast between Port and Maghera is truly wild and remote, just as the sea and its cold-climate cousin, the ice, made it. It can be walked in one day, but ideally you would take two. Starting at Port, wild camp at Gull Island and end by letting the rising tide seal you, quite safely, into one of Maghera's high and dry sand-floored sea caves.

Do it once in your busy life and don't be afraid of the descending night or the night sounds of a wild place. Then feel the primal relief that comes with daybreak and realise the safe and unthreatening indifference of wild places.
Michael Guilfoyle

Island living, Co Mayo
Clare Island is nature untamed: the mighty Atlantic battering some of Europe's most spectacular sea cliffs; secret caves where seal pups play and birds hatch their chicks; hidden green roads where you can stand in perfect silence, without a single trace of human habitation in view: these wild wonders, and many more, you will find on this great green rock.

But the wildness is also in the people who live in synchronicity with nature and never plan anything without first consulting the weather.

Within a bewilderingly small population of 170, the heartland of native islanders is complemented by a raft of colourful blow-ins: a Lutheran bishop who plays the blues on piano; a French horse tamer and yoga master; a Swedish lady whose coffee shop serves the world’s finest chocolate cake.

The simple truth of the matter is this: anyone who goes to Clare Island is wild about the place. If you go there, you'll know the wildness, because you'll feel it.
Amhloaoibh Mac Giolla

Heart thumping , Co Louth
The first time I arrived in Carlingford it took my breath away: the sparkling blues of the lough; medieval ruins that give the town a magical feel; the majesty of Slieve Foy.

Laughter can be heard from the entrance of Carlingford Adventure Centre. Heart-thumping activities such as zorbing, rock climbing and archery give a sense of achievement that will never be forgotten. And who wouldn’t want to go climbing and be rewarded with views of the Mourne Mountains and Cooley Peninsula?

When I first came to Carlingford I planned to stay for a week. Almost two years later, I'm still here.
Grace McHale

The Irish Times wants to discover the best spots in the 32 counties to experience nature, and is inviting readers to nominate their favourites. Write us a passionate pitch at irishtimes.com/gowild