I can see the Poolbeg chimneys. The same landmarks I paddled away from four months ago. I'm about to complete the circumnavigation of Ireland.
The Final Morning
Launched from Malahide at dawn. Light offshore breeze, calm water. Perfect conditions for the final leg. My arms knew what to do after 700 miles - the paddle strokes automatic, meditative.
Dublin Bay Opens Up
As I rounded Howth Head, Dublin Bay spread out before me. The city sparkled in the morning sun. Container ships waited at anchor. Ferries crossed to and fro. After months of wild coastline, the urban landscape felt surreal.
Reflections on the Water
These final miles gave me time to process everything. The storms survived. The wildlife encountered. The kindness of strangers in every harbor. The fear faced and overcome. The solitude that somehow became a friend.
The Finish Line
I landed at Sandycove at 2:47pm. The exact beach where I'd launched 120 days ago. A small group of friends and family had gathered - they'd been tracking my progress online.
When my bow touched the sand, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I did both.
What Now?
After 700 miles, 32 counties, countless seal encounters, a few capsizes, and more cups of tea than I can count, I've paddled around my adopted island home.
But this isn't an ending. It's a beginning. I have stories to tell and a coastline to share.
Want to see it for yourself? Join me for a paddle. The water's waiting.