Description
Narin Beach Strand, Portnoo, Donegal, Ireland
Today is international “Love Donegal Day” 2024. A day where everyone is encouraged to post their wonderful photos, experiences and stories of County Donegal. I have so many photos and memories from Donegal over this past year, I was finding it challenging to simply choose one to share with you today. I finally chose this recent photo captured on stunning Narin beach of Portnoo in west Donegal.
Portnoo has a tidal island called Inishkeel which is located only a few hundred feet away right in front of it’s sandy beach. Once the tide is low enough, a long sandbank suddenly appears leading from the beach itself and straight onto the island. The catch though, is that this low-tide sandbar is only dry and exposed for one hour each day! Once visible it soon becomes sheer temptation for onlookers to walk across onto the island to explore. There are ancient church ruins on this island which also acts like a lure to entice visitors to take a “what seems” leisurely stroll onto the island. Anyone familiar with Narin beach will certainly know the outcome of this story 
and likely have been in the exact situation before as the people in my photo…….
and likely have been in the exact situation before as the people in my photo…….I’m sure these visitors skipped across the big inviting sand bank an hour or so earlier like they were on “the yellow brick road” to the magical land of Oz 
However! as you can see from my photo, the tide caught them off guard and once they tried to return to Narin beach it was shoes and socks off time! The water normally only comes waist high but I’m sure some of these folk weren’t expecting to walk across bone dry then have to wade their ways back wet. I hope they brought a change of clothes to the beach 
However! as you can see from my photo, the tide caught them off guard and once they tried to return to Narin beach it was shoes and socks off time! The water normally only comes waist high but I’m sure some of these folk weren’t expecting to walk across bone dry then have to wade their ways back wet. I hope they brought a change of clothes to the beach I watched this scene unfold before my eyes and from over a mile away, then ran into position to capture their return back towards dry land with the giant sand dunes of Dooey towering in the distance. What I love is the fact that each of these people was chuckling because they were caught off guard in this shallow water. Plus what an absolutely beautiful place to be caught out and surprised in by nature having a little fun with them 
Surrounded by sheer beauty, I’m sure they will be telling stories from this day to their family & friends for many years to come. This moment is likely now another of the many reasons on why they will continue to love and visit Donegal in future.
Watching, capturing then having the opportunity to share moments like this with you is the reason why I also love Donegal and continue to visit, photograph and tell my little stories to you all afterwards 
