Colin Stafford Johnson journeys along one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world, featuring the wildlife and wild places that make it so unique.

Ch1. From Skellig Rocks to Clew Bay
Colin begins his Atlantic journey exploring the ancient ruins and wildlife of the Skellig Rocks - stormbound ocean pinnacles off the south western corner of Ireland, where early Christian monks built a monastery on the summit almost 1,500 years ago.

His next stop is the deserted Blasket Islands, home to vast numbers of seals coming ashore in winter to fight, mate and moult, before he heads inland through Ireland's highest mountain range in search of the island's last surviving herd of red deer from prehistoric times.

Back on the coast, he goes on the trail of humpback whales, which are making their mark in Irish waters and returning year after year in increasing numbers, before heading north along the coast to meet Ireland's only toads and lizards, and a dolphin who has set up residence off Ireland's limestone desert region - the Burren.

His journey ends in Clew Bay, an iconic inlet halfway up Ireland's west coast and the place Colin chose to make his home.

Ch2. From Clew Bay to Donegal
The odyssey continues as Colin completes his journey along Ireland's Atlantic rim. Exploring the wildlife and mountains around his home inlet of Clew Bay, Colin then heads north for Donegal - golden eagle country - before reaching the island's northern tip and turning east along the coast of Northern Ireland.

Along the way, he features the whooper swans that fly out of the north every autumn to escape an Arctic winter, the fabulously elusive pine marten, resident here since the last Ice Age, and the great ocean wanderers that are basking sharks - the second biggest fish on the planet, which turn up every summer out of the blue. Beautiful bats and heroic salmon are some of the other characters Colin comes across as he seeks out the remotest corners of Ireland's wild west.

Further Information

BBC

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