Introduction
IRELAND is well known for its beauty, however little or nothing is known about its natural arches. Hidden throughout its coastline in corners and coves, these natural phenomenona are nature's way of showing off and making us notice. There is a certain awe and mystery to them. They were not created in a day but over thousands of years, formed by the wind or the force of the ocean. The day you find one may be the last day it stands, as they can simply disappear in just a moment - whether it is the toll of a fierce storm or the sheer weight of its span that causes it to collapse. These treasures among the landscape are always the highlight offering ample fascination to the eye. Enduring the elements while yet at the same time quite vulnerable.
Discovering many of these wonders requires much exploring and perseverance. Many are to be found on the wildest coastline of Ireland. The full force of the Atlantic has shaped not only the peninsulas and sea stacks where these giants stand abreast. When planning a trip to seek them out, it requires examining detailed maps and understanding obscure markings. Many are not named or marked to conceal them from the inexperienced walker or hiker. They are mostly left alone, unsuitable as a tourist attraction.
Sea arches as such are dangerous as they offer no protection on either side. The arches in Donegal for example are in the most rugged and unforgiving of places. Perilous and splendrous. The weather, the tides, the landscape and the equipment used to reach them must be carefully considered. The height and speed of the incoming tide are not to be dismissed. Especially when entering the Doorway arch on the Copper Coast in the county of Wexford. This archway leads to an untouched beach with five more incredibly shaped bridges in store. Forgetting the retreat of the sea will trap you in and force to scale a cliff face to make an escape. Tory Island off the coast of Donegal is not only a rare gem in terms of raw beauty. It is one of the most spectacular sites that remains pristine and unpolluted from mankind.
These images are a reminder that everything must fall one day in its own timeline, even if they are to be consider permanent and resolute.
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