“Walking is a man’s best medicine.”
Hippocrates
Tory Island Walks
Walking through West Town An Baile Thiar, I felt incredibly happy to note that Tory remains unspoiled.
I really love the traditional style of the buildings and their colourful paintwork.
Continuing past the club house, which is legendary for its musical entertainment, I headed for the western tip of the island.
My intention was to reach the lighthouse built between 1828 and 1832. It no longer boasts a lighthouse keeper, and has been automated since April 1990.
Would you believe that one else chose to walk these roads on such a beautiful afternoon?
These stunning sea cliffs on the north side of the island, are home to the largest puffin colony in Donegal, as well as razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, storm petrels…
Tory is designated a Special Protection Area for birds under the European Union Birds Directive.
It is not advisable to stand near the edge of the cliffs as there may be loose or crumbling rock. The views (from a safe distance) are amazing.
Walkers are asked to stay on roads and tracks, as the grassy areas are home to the endangered corncrake, and should not be disturbed.
There are a number of seats along these paths; I was able enjoy the spectacular scenery seated on this beautiful, red bench which was well earthed with rocks to avoid being blown into the mighty Atlantic!
Returning to my lodgings at the end of the afternoon, I was greeted by a legion of wild rabbits who scurried into these holes, a little camera shy.
Later, I watched the last ferry leave for the mainland, thankful that I had chosen to stay overnight.
In next Friday’s post, I will share photographs of artist Derek Hill’s Tory Island escape, and his mentoring of the island’s painters.
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
The Wild Atlantic Way-Tory Island
Derek Hill and Tory Island’s Artists
Tory Island and Saint Colm Cille
Tory Island Walks -The Legend of Balor of the Evil Eye
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
Stunning pictures.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Thank you David. I feel very blessed to be able to visit such a beautiful place and share it with you. X
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So beautiful just lovely ..Thank you so much for sharing we certainly do live in a wonderful world, Brigid x
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Thank you Carol. I visited Tory for just 28 hours but it was just what the doctor ordered. 😊
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I am sure it was Brigid it does give an aura of peace and calm x
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Yikes, Brigid! I wouldn’t get too close to the edge of the cliffs either! What a stunning, uplifting scenery and no wonder you were happy to stay overnight. 😀😀Ahh…I love puffins and saw some in the wild on the Scottish islands, an absolute delight and one of the highlights! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip with us. Wishing you a lovely weekend! ❤️
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Thank you Annika. I was only on Tory for 28 hours but it was so inspiring. I did get vertigo the second day when I tried to capture an awesome cliff on my camera. Had to settle for a part of it. I am glad you saw puffins. These glimpses of Nature stay with you forever. Happy weekend 🌼
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What a day well spent, Brigid. And you’re so right…why so few people out to enjoy the beauty ? Glad you were the one. Great pics.
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Thank you. I could not believe that I was alone on that walk. 🌼
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Amazing photos. You have captured them well.
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Thank you Arlene. It was such a special trip. 🌼
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Love the photos of the cliffs outlined against the ocean. I want to jump into that photo and hike the trails.
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Thank you Debbie. The cliffs are trully spectacular 🌼
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Love those pictures Brigid…what a serene place to visit! 🙂
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Thank you Balroop. It is quite special. 🌼
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Wow Brigid, the wild rugged beauty of the place has inspired your prose to heights of lyricism and I can well see why! It is as haunting and magical as I imagined it to be.
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I am so pleased you like it Paul. Hopefully, you can visit Tory some day. Happy weekend. 🌼
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What a beautiful place, Brigid. How lovely that you could visit it and share its beauty with us.
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Thank you. The shone especially for my visit. 😉
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Absolutely stunning Brigid! I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your posts each week. It’s such a treat to “visit” such beautiful and inspiring places without leaving home. Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you Terri. I have 3 more Friday posts on Tory. I was only there for 28 hours. 😉
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Beautiful. I loved puffins when I used to read The Secret Seven (or was it The Famous Five?!) but have never seen them in real life.
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Thank you Chris. I hope you get to see puffins some fine day. 🕊
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Stunningly beautiful Daisies. Thank you so much for sharing your stay there.
~ Cobs. 🌻🌻🌻
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Thank you Cobs. I was in photography heaven! 😊
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What a glorious day and the red seat looks very inviting to enjoy the view!
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It was such a treat Suzanne. I waited patiently for a good weather forecast before travelling. September was rather a wet month apart from my two days on Tory 😉
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What a beautiful place!
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Thank you Diane. It sure is. 🌼
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Just so stunning!! 💐
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Thank you Alexis. Happy weekend.🌼
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such a beautiful
breath of fresh air!
thanks for this lovely getaway 🙂
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Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it. 🌼
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Beautiful photos Brigid. Would love to be there in breeding season to see all those birds.
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I hope your wish comes true. 🌼
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What a beautiful place to visit. I see someone else has copyrighted “stunning” in the comments so I’ll go for “breathtaking” if that’s OK. Some years ago I encountered a herd of rabbits all heading home for Sunday lunch after a collective hop somewhere. A really wonderful sight. Like you, too fast to get the camera into gear but something that stays in the memory. I’ve often gone back to the same place but have never seen another “migration”.
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Bless you John. Breathtaking feels good. Yes, some special moments are captured in the heart and are never meant to be shared. 🌼🌼🌼
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Tory Island is sure a beautiful sight to behold. These pictures are so lovely. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure. I am so glad you enjoyed my post. 🌼
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You’ve captured the beauty of the Island for us. Thank you. ☘️
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My pleasure. It was such an inspiring visit. I shall return. 😊
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Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you Lisa. I am glad you lijed them. 🌼
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Lovely post! Has the hurricane struck today?
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Yes. It is on its way. Stormy right now but worst expected this evening ! Its hit the south west this morning. Fingers crossed. 😊
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Good luck.
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This so reminds me of Ann Cleaves’ descriptions of Shetland Island. Your pictures are how I imagined her words. Lovely.
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Thank you Jacqui. I have not visited Shetland but I have been to Orkney south of Shetland. It was incredibly beautiful. 🌼
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Wow gorgeous post!
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Thank you. Three more to follow 😉
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Very nice
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I may never get to see these sights “in person” so I am especially grateful to be able to take a virtual walk with you. Thanks for sharing your incredible photos — both breathtaking AND stunning.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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My pleasure Madelyn. I have 3 more posts on Tory to come. X
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Anticipating eagerly.
xx,
mgh
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Thank you for sharing this Bridgid …it gave me a sense of peace…as i read over and seeing the beautiful photos..
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I am glad you found it peaceful. I deliberately waited to visit after the main tourist season. It was exactly what I needed. 🌼
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A beautiful walk, Brigid. I love the blue skies and the open expanse of sea. How lovely that the birds are protected. It looks like a marvelous day.
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Thank you Diana. I am so glad I went when I did. I stayed overnight and got 5 posts from my trip. Lots of photographs taken with my phone instead of my camera. A new toy! 😉
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What a gorgeous day out Brigid. Those cliffs look stunning. And to stay overnight, even better. 😌
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Yes. It was such a heavenly break. I felt so much better for it. The overnight stay was a delight. I had my dinner cooked for me too by Eilus who was so kind. 😊
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Sounds lovely. 🙂
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[…] Tory Island Walks […]
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So you’ve answered my question regarding the red bench and weights! What gorgeous photos and views…wow! I can see why you chose to stay overnight and really have some time to enjoy all of the scenery!! What a wonderful trip and I too love the colorful paintwork on the buildings. xo
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It was such a great treat Deb. I shall have to go back soon. 😊
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Definitely!! And tell us about again too. xo
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[…] Tory Island – Walks […]
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[…] Tory Island Walks […]
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[…] Tory Island Walks […]
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[…] via Tory Island Walks — Watching the Daisies […]
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Thank you. 🌼
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Awesome! I wanna go!!! Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure. May your wish come true. 🌼
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[…] Tory Island Walks — Watching the Daisies üzerinden […]
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Thank you for sharing.
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Walking is my favorite activity, Brigid. What lovely views and photos of your walk! Love seeing the vivid colors. We are going to be seeing some green in my world soon as April showers are in the forecast.
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Thank you Molly. Unfortunately today is very stormy here but the forecast is good. Enjoy the green. x
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Such gorgeous views. I can almost feel the wind on my face just looking at your photos. What is a corncrake?
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Thank you. The corncrake is a bird which is protected.
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Breathtaking and marvelous presentation and what an amazing place. Thanks a lot for this wonderful share always, Brigid.
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Thank you Kamal. Tory is indeed a beautiful place.
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Yes absolutely true, Brigid and can be made out from these great pictures. Welcome dear.
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Thanks you for sharing amazing walks. Perhaps the Divine arranged it for nobody else to share your magical walk.
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Thank you Nanette. Yes, I think so too. I love peace and tranquility.
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[…] Tory Island Walks […]
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Such a delightful walk Brigid! 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. Tory Island is such a special place that remains unspoilt.
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