0:00:02 > 0:00:06This is the coast of Connemara in the west of Ireland.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09It's been my home for six months,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12working for an Irish whale and dolphin conservation group.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16As well as photographing animals for identification,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19I've been dealing with strandings
0:00:19 > 0:00:23and tagging sharks as part of a worldwide migration survey.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Whoo-hoo-hoo!
0:00:24 > 0:00:27It's the most rewarding job I've ever had.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30And it's great fun, did I mention it was great fun?
0:00:37 > 0:00:41It's late September and there's change in the Connemara air.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Off the coast, the big basking sharks I've been tagging
0:00:44 > 0:00:47and DNA sampling have moved on.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Where they go no-one knows, but I'm hoping my research
0:00:51 > 0:00:55will help in some small way to solve the riddle.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59And I haven't seen the dolphins in my bay for several weeks.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02But as well as departures, there's been some new arrivals as well.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04There's a little grey seal pup here.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07If ever there was a harbinger of the change of seasons,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10it's starting to see the seal pups away from their mums.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14But by the look of the size of him, I'd say he's been weaned,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17they're weaned after four to six weeks and what this guy's done
0:01:17 > 0:01:21is he's just hauled himself up to have a bit of a rest.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25You can see what the sea's doing, this is two or three metre swells.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Can you imagine that little scrap of fluff,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32that little scrap of nothing out there amongst those waves.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37So for me, that's the sign that autumn really is here.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Soon the weather will be too bad to get out to sea, so my research
0:01:52 > 0:01:56for the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is coming to an enforced end.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Four months ago, my boss, Simon Berrow, and I
0:02:00 > 0:02:03moored a listening device in the bay.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07It registers the sound of any dolphins within 800 metres.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10And it's the first ever deployed in Connemara.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Because it works 24/7 and in all weathers,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17it keeps monitoring when I can't.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22So by combining its findings with my photographic record,
0:02:22 > 0:02:27I'll be able to build a full picture of dolphin activity over the summer.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33I've got a slight concern. As you can see it's really blowy today.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There's been a couple of big blows have come through
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and from my cottage just there, I haven't been able to see the buoy for a while.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Now there's every chance it's still out there.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46It's been between troughs, but I'm going to go and have a look.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Today, there's a big swell in the bay
0:02:50 > 0:02:52so spotting the buoy will be a nightmare.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56I'm putting all my faith in the GPS position I marked on day one.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01According to the waypoint it should be right there.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06It's pretty accurate, the way of finding these buoys,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08because you plot a waypoint when you put them down.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12And so, the boat takes you back to the exact spot where you put it.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15So I think it is this one, you know.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17But it does help
0:03:17 > 0:03:20if you remember what number you gave the original waypoint.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Right, I think I've found it.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25I think it's 15.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31A long way out from where I remembered it was.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36The whole idea of having the pod out here
0:03:36 > 0:03:39was to try and get a fairly good record of how many animals
0:03:39 > 0:03:42are moving through this area and is there a constant presence,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and, of course, if there is a constant presence, it means you can
0:03:45 > 0:03:48set up the area as a special area of conservation,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50or you can certainly apply for that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53But there's obviously certain sections of the community that
0:03:53 > 0:03:55would struggle with that a bit,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58like the fishermen, because these are their fishing grounds
0:03:58 > 0:04:02and they're the grounds they've fished since time immemorial.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05What can happen, and what's has happened elsewhere,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07is that the buoy line's been cut,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10so the buoy disappears and you can't find your pod,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13so you can't establish it one way or the other.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19Now, I'd be very, very surprised if that's what's happened here.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22But, you know, then again, you don't know, do you?
0:04:22 > 0:04:26All I know is that the buoy seems to have disappeared.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31The search will have to continue.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38Meanwhile, I'm under pressure from Simon to help him raise funds
0:04:38 > 0:04:42for a whale and dolphin rescue pontoon to be based in Connemara.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46The Roundstone Dive Festival was a brilliant event,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49but when my girlfriend Tam totted up the takings,
0:04:49 > 0:04:54we still had less than half the 5,000 euros we need.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57So Simon has thrown down a new challenge,
0:04:57 > 0:05:02a sponsored row of over 20 miles from the Aran Islands to Roundstone
0:05:02 > 0:05:04in a traditional currach.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07He's nicknaming it The Aran Sweater.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Obviously, culturally there's been huge links
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- between Roundstone and the Aran Isles, you know.- Yeah.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17The whole currach tradition in and around Connemara is amazing,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20so it might bring a tear to the eyes of the locals
0:05:20 > 0:05:21when they see currachs.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Well, I'm amazed it's never been done before, but it probably has!
0:05:25 > 0:05:30- There's a reason why!- Yes, very true, probably a very solid reason!
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It has to be a challenge and it has to...
0:05:32 > 0:05:36People have to say, "OK, good luck." You know, it's not going to be easy,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- maybe it's a euro a mile or... - That's a good idea.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40A euro a mile's a great idea. Yeah.
0:05:40 > 0:05:46'Several marine conservation groups are promoting the event on their websites'
0:05:46 > 0:05:50and notifying everyone on their mailing lists.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I've got a substantial sum still to raise,
0:05:53 > 0:05:59the Dive Festival raised 2,300 euro, the pontoon costs 5,000 euro,
0:05:59 > 0:06:05so this event somehow has to generate 2,700 euro for me.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08This is all part of the training...
0:06:08 > 0:06:10for The Aran Sweater.
0:06:10 > 0:06:16I'm trying to row over storm-lashed Atlantic shores
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and as far as I'm aware, I've been chatting to the locals,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23it's never been done before, so I'm going to try and do it in a day.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28When I get to Roundstone, I'll be a legend.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Yeah, it's pretty knackering.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It's going to be very, very intense on the day
0:06:42 > 0:06:45because of the waves and the wind. It's not just rowing.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52That's a mile. I'm one twentieth of the way.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57The other thing, just out of idle interest, is that I'm sinking.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59The boat's filling with water,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02so I'm going to have to stop and have a little bale.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09I am properly sinking, actually.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12There is really an enormous amount of water in her.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18What I'll do on the day is I'll probably use a currach that isn't sinking.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19That might be an idea.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Give you an idea, the water in the boat
0:07:21 > 0:07:24is now that deep. I-I am sinking, it's official.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29When I get back to Roundstone, the first person I need to see
0:07:29 > 0:07:33is local currach racing legend Paddy McDonagh to ask if I can
0:07:33 > 0:07:37borrow his currach and to see whether he can sort out the leak.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40But first I need to reveal Simon's challenge.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43The scheme is to try and row a currach
0:07:43 > 0:07:47from the Arans to Roundstone.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- From Inis Mor?- From Inis Mor.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Are you thinking, "This is madness,"
0:07:52 > 0:07:56or are you thinking, "Ten years ago I would have done it myself"?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58No, I'd love to. I've often thought about it, actually.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01- What, doing the Arans to Roundstone? - Hmm.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02- Really?- I did, yeah.- Yeah.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- The weather now means everything. - Yeah.- What day were you hoping to do it on?
0:08:06 > 0:08:12Fairly soon because on the Friday coming, the tides are right
0:08:12 > 0:08:13and the wind's right,
0:08:13 > 0:08:18- and I figure if I'm going to do it, I might as well do it sooner rather than later.- Yeah.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21It's a good pull, but fair play to you.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25Would it be all right to borrow the...the blue one to do it, Paddy?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Do you think that'd be the right one?- Of course.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31She seemed to ship a bit of water as I was rowing her.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Is that kinda normal?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37No, maybe a bit of yoke might have come loose or something, you know.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Right, right.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40I'll have a look at it tomorrow.
0:08:40 > 0:08:45Paddy, that's really kind. Thank you very much for helping us out.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46I really appreciate it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- Lovely.- I'll look like you by the time I finish.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Oh, God, I hope you don't, Monty lad!- Grand.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56It's force five, you reckon, on Friday?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59'But this time of year everything hangs on the weather.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02'If there are still dolphins in my bay,'
0:09:02 > 0:09:06they're keeping well hidden and the basking sharks are long gone,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08but a few weeks back I did get out
0:09:08 > 0:09:13tagging blue sharks with John Brittain and they are still here.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15My plan is to get into the water and film them
0:09:15 > 0:09:18for my talks on why sharks deserve proper protection.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23They're being killed at the rate of a hundred million a year
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and blue sharks are suffering as badly as any.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29That yellow balloon has got a mackerel flapping enticingly in the current.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34There's a rubby-dubby trail heading towards the horizon and we're kinda relying on those
0:09:34 > 0:09:39six fabulous senses of the shark to pick it up and come in and have a look.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43'The idea is to lure the sharks in rather than catch them.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47'Despite their reputation, they're naturally wary
0:09:47 > 0:09:50'and it's two hours before we even get a nibble.'
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Oh! He's at the bait, he's at the balloon.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56In fact, you can see the actual marks of the individual teeth there.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01Look at that, clean slice, and a clean slice there.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'If I get in the water now, I'll just scare the shark off,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'so I've rigged a camera that I can hang over the side.'
0:10:12 > 0:10:17Extraordinarily high-tech system we have here - bits of fence post and binder twine.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20It's still there, it's coming back in.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23'With no viewfinder all I can do is point and hope,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25'but the shark is putting on a real show.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:29Hey-hey! Oh, that's wonderful!
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Oh! He's got the bait.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Oh, lovely! He's swimming right at the camera.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40One of the reasons this is so exciting
0:10:40 > 0:10:44is this is an animal our kids won't see, the next generation won't see.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48In the last 20 or 30 years, blue shark numbers are estimated
0:10:48 > 0:10:54to be down by 60%, so you know we could be the last people to see
0:10:54 > 0:10:58these shadows swimming round a boat, which will be a tragedy of course.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04'Out of nowhere our first shark is joined by a second,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07'and this one is even bigger.'
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Two sharks, which is what we want.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14That's when you start getting that element of competition.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18When that happens, they tend to forget about what else is going around them
0:11:18 > 0:11:23and that gives us that tiny window of opportunity to maybe jump in the water and get some shots.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's a fine balance.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Get in too soon and the sharks will vanish,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30leave it too late and they'll be more confident
0:11:30 > 0:11:34and I could become the next thing they decide to check out.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Whoa! It's there!
0:11:54 > 0:11:56The shark is getting bolder.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59My safety diver Andy and I have become her focus
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and she's swimming in a classic figure of eight,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05checking out everything that puts out an electronic signature.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09For now it's the back of the boat, but soon it'll be us.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14This isn't a basking shark.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17You know, these animals are opportunistic, open ocean hunters.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Look at that!
0:12:21 > 0:12:24This is the footage I wanted to get.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27True predatory behaviour by the so-called "wolf of the sea".
0:12:29 > 0:12:30That is a great shot!
0:12:32 > 0:12:37The reason these blue sharks are biting the camera
0:12:37 > 0:12:42and biting the stern of the boat, they're not attacking the boat or attacking the camera,
0:12:42 > 0:12:47it's that sixth sense. Everything gives off electricity, all living things,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51and they have these pits in their nose that pick up that electricity,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56and metal does as well, of course, so the shark comes in, gets confused, limited visibility.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00With that limited visibility they're biting the metal in confusion.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03They think it's something alive, but it's creating some great shots,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I think, I'll have to go and watch the tape.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11Oh, here we are. Ohhhhhhhh!
0:13:11 > 0:13:14That is quite a shot.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Thank you so much, John.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- No, that's super. So pleased you got that on film.- Sensational.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Lovely to see the animals in their natural element, isn't it?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Absolutely.- Really special. Really special.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29What an experience. So nice to know they're still out here and...
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Whoa. To see 'em in the water is really special,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35to see the way they move, and even that moment,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38that little turn towards you, that moment of predatory interest,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41your pulse races and the blood thunders in your ears.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47It awakens something quite sort of primal and basic in you, you know?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Having enjoyed my shark encounter without incident,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I'm now back at the cottage where there IS a medical emergency.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Rubes has cut his paw.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Poor lamb. And there's blood spots all over the floor,
0:14:03 > 0:14:08and he's feeling very, very sorry for himself,
0:14:08 > 0:14:12because he's a bloke. He's milking it for all its worth,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14so this is the sort of sympathy moment.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16He comes and sits on my lap when he's hurt himself.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20You all right there, Rubes? Think you'll make it through the night?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I'm sorry, pal.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26It's all right, geezer.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34This is a very important meeting for me because I'm off to see
0:14:34 > 0:14:37John Brittain and Martin O'Malley,
0:14:37 > 0:14:41two men who know more about these waters than pretty much anyone else round here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47'I'm relying on their advice to choose the optimum day for my big row from the Aran Islands.'
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- How are you, Monty?- I'm very well, I'm nervous, that's how I am. - I'm not surprised.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53I expect you've every reason to be.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56John's my shark boat skipper and Martin's a coastguard
0:14:56 > 0:15:00and powerboat instructor who'll be manning my safety boat.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04I'm plundering their expertise to work out the most favourable tides,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08which are completely predictable, and the best weather, which isn't.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Well, Tuesday or Wednesday, Tuesday's 15 to 25.- Yeah.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18Yeah, so Monday would be kind of optimum, wouldn't it?
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- Monday's southerly. - Right direction,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and also it's decreasing during the course of the day.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29'So Monday it is. I need to tell Paddy,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33'who's lending me his currach and see whether he's traced that leak.'
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- So you found it was leaking, did you?- There's very little, maybe a little bit sun split.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- She needs tarring, it's as simple as that.- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I had a great meeting with Martin O'Malley
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and John Brittain who talked me through, you know,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48when to hit the optimum tides and all that sort of stuff.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50What is the wind on Monday?
0:15:50 > 0:15:53It's good, it's south-easterly so...
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I don't know how you...I don't know how you organise all this!
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Yeah, well, there we are. I've got contacts. I've got contacts.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Can I give you a hand with the tarring?- You can of course. - Brilliant.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07This is currach tar.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Currach tar, so it's a special type of tar?- Yes, it's quick drying.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16The plan is this dries overnight, so by tomorrow morning it should be completely dry
0:16:16 > 0:16:22and then, obviously, we'll be across in the Arans on Sunday night ready for the big push on Monday.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- A bit more?- Yeah, I'd give her plenty, yeah,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30especially on the joints, you know, because it's a bit sun split.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32So where did you learn?
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- What to...- How to build a currach.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40Ah, yeah, well, everybody on Inishlacken, I'm an islander originally, you know.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Of course!- And everybody... that was the...
0:16:42 > 0:16:46that'd be your school bus and your taxi, whatever, so...
0:16:46 > 0:16:49So that's where your rowing skills came from, it was...
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- your social life, as well, I suppose.- Of course. Of course.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- How does that look to you? - It looks perfect.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Paddy's become a good friend over the summer.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04He's a real Connemara character formed by the sea
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and I'm sure that has something to do with his upbringing
0:17:07 > 0:17:11on the island of Inishlacken, out in the mouth of Roundstone bay.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14He's offered to take me out there to see where he grew up.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Look at that beach. Beautiful.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25The Island's had no permanent residents for decades.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Paddy's family was one of the last to leave in search of an easier life.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So, Paddy, why did everyone leave the island?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Tis hard work living on a place like this.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40You can't run down the shop, or run down for a bus or a taxi, whatever.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Everything is on foot and by boat.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47And are your memories of living here, Paddy, are they good memories or are they bad?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Ah, indeed they are, great. Dancing was the in-thing at that time.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54I used to go out to the mainland at night
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- and swim ashore and change into the dancing gear.- Oh, really?
0:17:58 > 0:18:02And then come back at two or three o'clock on the morning or later.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- Fantastic. - And swim back out here aboard,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07and go back in and put your clothes on and...
0:18:07 > 0:18:09That's so James Bond.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13That's very James Bond. That's the coolest thing I've ever heard.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Brilliant. So your social life was dictated by the tides?
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- A lot of it, yes.- Yeah, how funny!
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Did you see dolphins and basking sharks?
0:18:20 > 0:18:25- When I was a young lad, I used to go out in the currach and play with them.- No?- Yeah.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30Paddy's old home lies at the far end of the island.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31It's ruined now,
0:18:31 > 0:18:35but it was home to many generations of the McDonagh family.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Do you know who built it?
0:18:39 > 0:18:41It was my grandfather built this end of it,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44but the rest of it is much older, I believe.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- That's a grand house. It withstood a few storms in its time? - That's for sure.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51This house, if you look where it is, it's just...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53And what about brothers or sisters, Paddy?
0:18:53 > 0:18:58- Four sisters, one brother. - And all living here?- Yeah.
0:18:58 > 0:18:59And you slept through...
0:18:59 > 0:19:03And there was a bedroom here. There was a loft now coming over to here
0:19:03 > 0:19:09and that's how your fish for the winter, food for the winter would be stored up there.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- I see, and that was salted?- Yeah. - Were you healthy as a young lad?
0:19:13 > 0:19:14- Yes.- Yeah?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17'Listening to Paddy, I'm keen to sample some of that
0:19:17 > 0:19:19'lost lifestyle for myself.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23'He's inspired me to spend some time on the island before I leave Connemara
0:19:23 > 0:19:26'to test myself at living off the land.'
0:19:28 > 0:19:32And when you fished, Paddy, what sort of fish were you catching?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Pollock, mackerel?
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Well, lobster and crayfish on a daily basis.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44When at the beach, you'd be down picking winkles, carrageenan, or cutting seaweed.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46So you would gather along this seashore here?
0:19:46 > 0:19:47That's right.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51I'm not sure whether I'm cut out for that sort of life
0:19:51 > 0:19:55but once I've wrapped up my work, I'll definitely be back to give it a go.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04It's very easy to get sidetracked, but I have to grab
0:20:04 > 0:20:07every weather window to search for my missing acoustic pod.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11When I last looked for it, it had vanished and the pressure is on.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14If it's not there, it presents a whole new problem
0:20:14 > 0:20:18that would be a nightmare for me,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22because the data that's on it is invaluable, absolutely invaluable.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Aside from the fact that it's worth 4,000 euro it's the data on it
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and it would answer so many questions for me.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33The Whale and Dolphin Group are anxious to analyse the results,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37but the weather is due to go downhill along with any chance of finding it.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44OK, we're 0.2 of a mile away from where the buoy is so...
0:20:46 > 0:20:47..it's on our right.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53This is definitely the right point, without a doubt.
0:20:53 > 0:20:54Oh, a big one coming.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01If you think of the power in these waves that are dragging the buoy
0:21:01 > 0:21:04to the surface and tugging it, and it's out there for months.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07We're in 150 feet of it now, 120 feet,
0:21:07 > 0:21:14so it is a bit worrying that I can't find it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:2097 feet, 60 feet, 50 feet, 40 feet, not here, is it?
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Right, I'm going to give Simon a call and I'll give him the bad news.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Hello, Simon, it's Monty.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Now, I've come to check out on the buoy, which has gone.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34I mean, I can come out with divers on Wednesday, I can book a dive team
0:21:34 > 0:21:38on Wednesday and have a really good look.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Obviously, I've got the GPS position, but I'll keep you posted.
0:21:42 > 0:21:48D'you know, on my bow at the moment I'm looking at a buoy that looks uncannily like...
0:21:48 > 0:21:49It might have been dragged.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53That could be, it does look uncan... Do you know, I'll get back to you.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56I'll call you in about two minutes, I'll let you know.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Smashing. Cheers, Simon.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00You couldn't make it up, could you?
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Has it got writing on it?
0:22:04 > 0:22:10How about that? That... I can't tell you the relief.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14Cannot tell you the relief.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17A quick check confirms that it is my buoy.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Back it goes to keep scanning for dolphins
0:22:21 > 0:22:23while I record the new GPS position.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27And this time I'll make sure I remember the number.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Now we're 0.33.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31So, so important.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Waypoint arrival, OK, that's great.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Got his answer phone. Hello, Simon.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Unbelievably that was, that was the buoy.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45I've marked the new position, so we're back on, which is fantastic.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Marvellous. All right. Thanks, Simon. Bye.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55I'm so pleased. So relieved, I can't tell you.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59Now, the next stage is pulling it up and finding out what's in it.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04The culmination of my whole six months here really.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25It's on. As you can see from the weather, perfect.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27So Paddy's doing the final prep of the boat,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30give me a final pep talk, and then we're off.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33I'm hoping to come over and meet you tomorrow.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38Well, it'll be good to see you out there. I might need a morale boost round about that time.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41We'll give you a shout all right.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46Now your oars are tied down, they're all double pinned
0:23:46 > 0:23:48and treble pinned and whatever.
0:23:48 > 0:23:54If you for any reason that you feel whatever, I'll do it if you want.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Oh, dangerous words! Grand, off we go.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59There you are.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- See you later, Paddy. - Good luck. All the best.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Cheers, thanks a lot. Cheers, thank you.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10Martin O'Malley and I are heading for Rossaveal, the slipway closest to the islands.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14There I'll hitch the currach to the RIB for the tow across.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I'm planning to start the row home well before dawn,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20so I'm praying that the new layer of tar has done the trick.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Launching, I feel like the Queen Mum.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31But this is an 80-year-old boat, which like all currachs
0:24:31 > 0:24:34has a tendency to leak if the timbers dry out.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's been in ten minutes, hasn't it?
0:24:36 > 0:24:41I can't be baling every ten minutes, so this presents a major problem.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It's there, I can actually see the point it's coming in.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48I've got it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52So frustrating. Weeks and weeks and weeks I've been waiting to do this.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54It's here, that's where it's...
0:24:54 > 0:24:58- Anything you put on there, it's going to come straight off. - It is now once it's wet.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03'With Martin foxed, I can only think of one person who might be able to help.'
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Hello, is that Paddy?
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Paddy, we've hit a slight technical hitch.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12It's leaking really badly, the water's pouring in. Yeah.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Martin's with me here now saying it just wouldn't make it across.
0:25:16 > 0:25:22Is there any way we could use the grey one? We can take all the pins out and do everything we need to do.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25And there's a man just turned up who might have the right kit.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Martin's just going to go up and sweet-talk him.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35It turns out to be Padraig Joyce, the hooker skipper I raced with a few weeks back.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Hello, Padraig, how are you?
0:25:36 > 0:25:38He's come to wish me luck.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Serendipity, you know. Padraig has just turned up,
0:25:42 > 0:25:46quite randomly, and he's legging it home now and he's going to go try
0:25:46 > 0:25:48and get a blow torch and a little bit of caulk,
0:25:48 > 0:25:53a bit of tar and just see if he can do a sort of on the spot repair.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56An hour later, Padraig's back.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00But if the tar gun doesn't work, I'm sunk in every sense.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Thank you, Padraig. You're saving the day, as ever.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11You were exactly the right man to come along, you know?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Right, shall we try her?
0:26:16 > 0:26:20It's seeping. This looks much better.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21Hello, Paddy, problem solved.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25The big leak is, is almost completely watertight now.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I'm looking at it now and there's a tiny trickle coming in,
0:26:27 > 0:26:31but it's hardly anything so we're still in good time.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33All right. Cheers. Bye.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Paddy was about to... He was just about to jump in his van
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and come down here and sort it out. This is personal for Paddy,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44you know, he really wants this to happen. Brilliant, we're on.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The setback cost us a couple of hours,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50so we won't arrive in the Arans until well after dark.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Ah, there's a little bit of water coming in but not drastic amounts.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58So, beautiful. Nice to be back onboard as it were.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03It's now eight o'clock at night, morale is high.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07A couple of leaks on the way over, I was checking,
0:27:07 > 0:27:11but a lot of it was due to the bow wave and I can't imagine
0:27:11 > 0:27:15I'll be creating quite the same bow wave when I'm rowing.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19And just getting here is a triumph, believe me. Now I've got to get back of course.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22The row starts before dawn tomorrow.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26The best I can hope for is a few hours uneasy sleep.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32It's 5:48 in the morning.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35You've got the three wise monkeys in the back here.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Martin and his co-skipper, Ian, will be manning the safety boat
0:27:39 > 0:27:42in case I have to abandon the attempt in mid-row.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Right. Give her a bit of a shove, I suppose.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I'm starting before dawn to catch the right tide both leaving the Arans
0:27:49 > 0:27:53and if I get my timings right, rowing into Roundstone Bay.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55The first stroke of many.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02See you in Roundstone.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09Just getting used to the motion of the ocean as it were,
0:28:09 > 0:28:13and the boat doesn't appear to be filling up with water too alarmingly,
0:28:13 > 0:28:18and I'm just trying not to think about the distance ahead, you know?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20The full distance is over 20 miles,
0:28:20 > 0:28:25but in my head I'm breaking it down into three roughly equal legs.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29The first is undoubtedly the hardest - an eight mile open water channel that,
0:28:29 > 0:28:34as far as I know, has never been rowed in the modern era.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I was really worried about this stretch actually,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40as it's a bit of open water and an infamous bit of open water between
0:28:40 > 0:28:44the Aran Islands and the mainland, so I'm really looking forward
0:28:44 > 0:28:48to getting this behind me, but it's very poignant to see
0:28:48 > 0:28:52the Arans sinking into the distance and Gollum Point coming up behind me.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56The Whale and Dolphin Group has 2,500 euros
0:28:56 > 0:29:00pledged towards the rescue pontoon, but only if I make it the whole way.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06If he had a good currach, he'd be in Roundstone by now. HE CHUCKLES
0:29:06 > 0:29:11All right, Paddy. All right. Talk to you soon. Bye-bye.
0:29:11 > 0:29:12Paddy was on to us.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17- Was he?- Yeah.- Did he say, "Has he had breakfast and been to the toilet?"
0:29:22 > 0:29:26That's Gollum Point, and that's like my first check point
0:29:26 > 0:29:30and now I'm turning down the coast, so I've got a seven mile run in
0:29:30 > 0:29:33and then turn in towards Roundstone so...
0:29:33 > 0:29:35so pleased to get that out of the way, but hopefully now
0:29:35 > 0:29:41I've got the tide with me and it's firing me up the sort of barrel of a gun.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46After three hours of hard graft, I need all the help I can get,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50not least from Martin who's keeping me on the straight and, quite literally, narrow.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Do you see that dark shape, like a sail? You'll head for that.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So we're heading just sort of between those islands?
0:29:57 > 0:29:58- Yeah.- Fantastic.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Through the little gap because Maids Head is directly behind us
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- and that's your, that's your last turn.- Right.
0:30:06 > 0:30:13It's funny I've got GPS, GPS, high-tech charts, compass and Martin
0:30:13 > 0:30:17just saying to me every now and then, "You're going the wrong way."
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Watch her there. Yeah, keep her in this way.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- There's a tidal race coming through against you.- Come on.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- You've... It, it has slowed you down. - Oh, definitely, yeah.- Yeah.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44If I ever needed a boost, it's now,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47and it arrives in the shape of my mentor, Paddy.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51You're doing well. Getting tired?
0:30:51 > 0:30:52A little bit, yeah.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59Really feeling the pace now, you know?
0:30:59 > 0:31:06It's hard work these last few miles, so near and yet so very far.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14That is Roundstone and it's a sweet sight, believe me.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19The last few miles have been tiring, you know? It's been really hard.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22All right, Paddy? Five miles to go, it's going to be emotional.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25That's on top of the 19 miles I've already covered
0:31:25 > 0:31:27in the six hours since setting out.
0:31:27 > 0:31:33But it's really sweet, you know, a really sweet feeling,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36just covering this last bit of ground knowing what it represents really -
0:31:36 > 0:31:41the opportunity to present the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with
0:31:41 > 0:31:45this pontoon, be a lovely way to, to polish off my time here really.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51And as I turn the currach for home, I'm starting to pick up
0:31:51 > 0:31:52familiar landmarks.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I always said to myself when I was planning this that
0:31:57 > 0:32:00when I saw my house I'd start thinking that maybe
0:32:00 > 0:32:04I could finish, you know? It's a sweet sight.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Where's the banner?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18How nice, although I can't read what it says on it yet.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20It could say anything.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25- Come on, Monty!- Come on!
0:32:28 > 0:32:29Thanks.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- APPLAUSE - Thank you very much. Thanks.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Never again. Never again.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42HE LAUGHS
0:32:45 > 0:32:46Thank you very much. Thanks.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Oh, the beer! I've been fantasising about that beer.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Now, Monty boy, leave it there.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Thank you very much, Paddy. Thanks a lot. And thanks for coming out.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Great achievement. - Right, I'm going to grab that beer.
0:33:03 > 0:33:08'And why not? The pontoon fund is £2,500 euros richer!
0:33:08 > 0:33:13'Still a couple of hundred to raise, but for now that can wait.'
0:33:14 > 0:33:16- Mmm.- You've done well boy, fair play to you.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Thank you very much. Thank you, cheers.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Ah, Padraig?- Fair play to you. - Thank you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28And thank you for last night, you saved the day.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Come on, thanks. Good on you. Fair play to you.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Thank you very much, thank you.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Again, thank you for turning out, it's really kind, thanks.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38'It's 11 o'clock at night now,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42'and this momentous day that's now drawing to a close.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46'No more emotional moment than right at the end,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48'coming in to Roundstone.'
0:33:48 > 0:33:52The reception on the jetty, just unbelievable.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56I had no idea that many people would turn out.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59I thought maybe two or three would turn out.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02It was overwhelming, absolutely overwhelming.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Um, not a day I'll forget in a hurry for all sorts of reasons.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13The time has come to retrieve the acoustic pod
0:34:13 > 0:34:16that's been monitoring dolphin movements in the bay.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19It's been down for four and a half months now,
0:34:19 > 0:34:23and the information it contains, combined with my sightings,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26might prove the dolphins are resident in the bay.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29There it is! My baby.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Right, let's see if I can get her up.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39Almost like playing a big fish, you go with the rolls of the boat.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44If I just take my time... and take some turns around here.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52I can feel I'm lifting off the bottom now.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55'The problem isn't the pod...'
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Only another 45 feet to go.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00'..it's the chunks of pig iron that have supposedly
0:35:00 > 0:35:03'kept it securely anchored in one place.'
0:35:20 > 0:35:22'That's the pod,
0:35:22 > 0:35:27'but now the pig iron that's been, er, anchoring it down.'
0:35:27 > 0:35:30It was moored on the tip of that island there.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32It's moved all the way back,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36and that gives you an idea of the power of the ocean out here.
0:35:37 > 0:35:44It's my kind of science... with massive bits of pig iron.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48This is what the fuss is all about.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51See how amazing coated it is,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54but the really exciting science is right there.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57See, in the middle there is a little chip
0:35:57 > 0:36:01and that chip has recorded the movement of every dolphin
0:36:01 > 0:36:06and every porpoise in this stretch of water in the last four months.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09For me this is like a magic box.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13And this box contains the answers to all the questions I've been asking myself,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16pretty much the whole time that I've been in Roundstone.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20'Back on dry land, I'm making one last effort
0:36:20 > 0:36:23'to complete my pontoon fundraising.'
0:36:23 > 0:36:26It's the day of the Roundstone Rowathon.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29The whole idea of the thing is that last weekend
0:36:29 > 0:36:33I did the Aran Sweater, and I've still got a bit of money to raise.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37'So I'm going to get the people of Roundstone
0:36:37 > 0:36:40'to row the equivalent distance on dry land,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43'and pay for the privilege with their donations.'
0:36:43 > 0:36:47If you guys can just stand there all day like that, that's perfect.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50'To cover the same distance I did, I reckon we need to keep
0:36:50 > 0:36:53'the rowing machine moving for at least six hours.'
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Fancy a go, chaps - three minutes on the rower?
0:36:55 > 0:36:59'At this time on a Sunday morning that seems like a tall order.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02'But a few days ago I did a talk at the local school,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06'and the kids have turned out in force to get the day going.'
0:37:06 > 0:37:10Are you ready? OK, three, two, one - off you go.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Perfect, well done. Go on then.
0:37:17 > 0:37:1915 seconds, well done.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24... five, four, three, two, one!
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Brilliant, well done.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29'What I need now is a few hard hitting adults
0:37:29 > 0:37:32'to really rack up the kilometres.'
0:37:32 > 0:37:34A bunch of fit guys. After this man...
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'And here they are, right on cue.'
0:37:37 > 0:37:39OK, in your own time, off you go.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46This could be the time of the day, I've just got a feeling in my bones.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Really strong. Well done.
0:37:50 > 0:37:5130 seconds, a big 30 seconds.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54Five, four, three,
0:37:54 > 0:37:56two, one!
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Well done, mate, well done, really strong.
0:38:00 > 0:38:06Really, really, really strong. That was 910 metres, a new record.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09I'm going to have to have a go at that.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14Right. We can't have a man in Lycra setting the best time.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36... four, three, two, one.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Hooray!
0:38:40 > 0:38:43That... 980. Thank you.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47'The record is mine, by 70 metres.'
0:38:47 > 0:38:50That was tricky... That's it, I've peaked.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54It's very nice, the village is drifting in, dribs and drabs.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Just what I was after, the whole village joining in.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Ah, Paddy! Hello mate, how are you?
0:38:59 > 0:39:02The reason I look like this is, I was like, I'm not having that!
0:39:02 > 0:39:05I'm not! So I had to get on. I was like that.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08I've just been round the corner losing my breakfast.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10I've just been round the corner like...
0:39:14 > 0:39:16I'm pretty much there in terms of the money,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19so this has turned slightly more into a bit of a community thing,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22of let's get this boat into the Roundstone harbour.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25And it's lovely for me that all the kids are doing it.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29That takes us - 16 kilometres we've done now.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31The boat should go about there.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36We've got a little way to go, but I'm confident you guys can do it.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39Good girl. Really strong, really strong, Michael.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43You look ready for anything. Good pace, good pace, very nice.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50Rowing with killer heels, let's see.
0:39:56 > 0:39:57Keep going!
0:39:57 > 0:40:01We've done 33,584 metres in three minute chunks.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04It's been a great effort today. When I set this up this morning
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I had 38,000 metres to row,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11and it's been done almost entirely by local people,
0:40:11 > 0:40:15it's been done by the kids, tourists, people passing by.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18It's been a fantastic collective effort.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Well done. And you're done. Well done, team, well done!
0:40:22 > 0:40:25I think one of the kids should finish it off.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28And they've decided that Michael should do the last bit.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Are you ready, Michael? OK, off we go.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Good last 300, a big strong 300 to finish.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Go, Michael!
0:40:37 > 0:40:42OK, 100 metres left. Go on, good strong last few pulls, Michael.
0:40:42 > 0:40:47You're just coming into the harbour, 20 metres, and...
0:40:47 > 0:40:48finish! Hooray!
0:40:48 > 0:40:51ALL CHEER
0:40:51 > 0:40:57Well done. Guys, you rowed 38,000 metres, so well done.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02And you've raised about 300 euro for the Trust, so well done.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06A terrific effort, terrific effort by the guys. And I have to say
0:41:06 > 0:41:09the ladies of Roundstone have contributed as well, you know.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14That takes us home, that takes us past the finishing post.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17So there we are.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21Great stuff. Piece of cake.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Hooray! Very good.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36'As predicted, the weather has turned for the worse.'
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Look at that.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43If I go out there my sideburns will blow off.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46'Today's the day I find out what the acoustic pod
0:41:46 > 0:41:51'reveals about the dolphins in the bay.'
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Joanne from IWDG will be here in about half an hour or so,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58and, er, is going to open it up.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01At last we'll get the data.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07- Hello Joanne, how are you? - Sorry I got a little bit lost. - Everyone does, everyone does.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09'In today's howling gale
0:42:09 > 0:42:12'it's easy to see why you can't just rely on sightings alone.'
0:42:12 > 0:42:16In this weather you could be sitting here looking out and you won't see them.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19But the pod is sitting there and that will hear them.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21That's where it works its magic really for us.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26- Right. You've got me all fired up now. Let's go in there. - Let's go.- Yeah, this is it.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30I'm almost putting off the moment of truth. Come on.
0:42:30 > 0:42:31So I'm just gripping...
0:42:31 > 0:42:33'The pod should have registered every time
0:42:33 > 0:42:36'a dolphin passed within 800 metres,
0:42:36 > 0:42:41'and recorded the number of minutes of activity detected every day.'
0:42:41 > 0:42:45If we tilt it up this way... OK, the battery's are still working.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48You can see the light in here is still flashing.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52'So far so good, but this is like opening your exam results.'
0:42:52 > 0:42:56I'll just take out the SD card - dun, dun, dun!
0:42:56 > 0:42:58'We're about to find out how often the dolphins
0:42:58 > 0:43:01'have visited the bay over the summer.'
0:43:01 > 0:43:05So this is the data downloading, the seven days, eight days.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10'Extracting four and a half months of data is a lengthy process.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12'But at the end of it Joanne has a column
0:43:12 > 0:43:16'which shows us how many minutes per day the pod detected dolphins.'
0:43:16 > 0:43:20So you deployed the pod here on the 5th of June,
0:43:20 > 0:43:24so the very next day we had five minutes within that day.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Four minutes there, two minutes there, one minute, four minutes there.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30It's good to see a good strong presence of dolphins.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33Exactly. You've done really, really well, it's fantastic.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36- Thank you very much. - Fair play to you, well done.
0:43:36 > 0:43:37'I'm delighted with the results,
0:43:37 > 0:43:41'which prove that dolphins regularly visit Roundstone Bay.'
0:43:41 > 0:43:46So the highest we've had so far is 16, 17 now.
0:43:46 > 0:43:48So that's really good in the course of a day.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51'The pod is showing dolphins on about 20% of days.
0:43:51 > 0:43:55'It still doesn't actually prove that there's a resident pod here,
0:43:55 > 0:43:57'but it's a significant step forward.'
0:43:57 > 0:44:01You've shown the area is important for dolphins. You've got them visually,
0:44:01 > 0:44:04now we've got them acoustically on this.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07So the next thing would be to have dedicated trans-ex
0:44:07 > 0:44:11where you're going out on a bi-monthly basis, if possible.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13You'd be doing your photo ID studies.
0:44:13 > 0:44:17Having an array of these in the area would give us more information.
0:44:17 > 0:44:22So that's the kind of things that have to be explored in the future.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25I think that's the next stage, to really have that dedicated...
0:44:25 > 0:44:28That costs money, that's the problem. There's more to come.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31There's more to come, but you've done the groundwork.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35No, it's been an absolute pleasure, it really, really has.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37Well, I'm delighted.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41If there was one thing I wanted to achieve this summer
0:44:41 > 0:44:45it was just showing that the area out there is special, Connemara's special.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49And now we've got solid data. What does that data show us?
0:44:49 > 0:44:51Well, it conclusively shows
0:44:51 > 0:44:55that there's a very significant presence of dolphins out there.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59And I think that there's enough dolphins there frequently enough
0:44:59 > 0:45:03for further research, further investigation, and who knows,
0:45:03 > 0:45:05maybe one day even setting up
0:45:05 > 0:45:08a little special area of conservation for it.
0:45:08 > 0:45:12So... I feel vindicated about the work this summer, thoroughly.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16'But the job's not finished yet.'
0:45:16 > 0:45:19I'm off to a meeting with Simon,
0:45:19 > 0:45:22where I'm going to present him with the pontoon,
0:45:22 > 0:45:27the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with the pontoon, and have a good chat with him about how I've got on.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31We're meeting at the Galway Mayo Institute Of Technology,
0:45:31 > 0:45:34which funds a lot of his work, including the acoustic monitor
0:45:34 > 0:45:37that I deployed to study the pod of dolphins.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42It reinforces what we thought, that pod ranges over a bigger area,
0:45:42 > 0:45:47and within that area they're resident in the sense that they are regularly seen.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49But the more you get to show that they are there,
0:45:49 > 0:45:52it's the same animals, time and time again, it does...
0:45:52 > 0:45:58- It builds a picture and pushes the conservation. We have to protect the habitat.- A huge body of work.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02The more you do it, the more you have to do. But you have to make the start.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05'Simon's asked me to talk about the results of my research
0:46:05 > 0:46:09'to students and academics from the marine biology department.
0:46:09 > 0:46:13'I'm used to public speaking, but this is nerve wracking stuff.'
0:46:13 > 0:46:15It's been a great opportunity for us
0:46:15 > 0:46:19to celebrate the marine life around Ireland and Connemara.
0:46:19 > 0:46:23So you're very welcome and I hand you over to Monty Halls,
0:46:23 > 0:46:24our man in Connemara.
0:46:24 > 0:46:26Thanks, Simon.
0:46:26 > 0:46:27APPLAUSE
0:46:27 > 0:46:31Initially I got this big romantic notion
0:46:31 > 0:46:33that the pod of dolphins was a resident pod.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38The funny thing was I kept sending Simon pictures saying, "Look at this picture, unbelievable!"
0:46:38 > 0:46:42He kept sending them back because he wanted pictures like that,
0:46:42 > 0:46:45'cos of course you can get photo ID from the fins.
0:46:45 > 0:46:48So we spent a lot of time this summer doing the photo ID
0:46:48 > 0:46:50and a lot of time tagging the baskers.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54There's so little work done on this animal that visits the coast
0:46:54 > 0:46:57in more numbers here than pretty much anywhere else in the world.
0:46:57 > 0:47:01Surely that is a global standard eco-tourist attraction that you've got here.
0:47:01 > 0:47:05'Debrief over, it's time to present the rescue pontoon
0:47:05 > 0:47:08'that's been the aim of all the IWDG's fundraising.'
0:47:08 > 0:47:12There we are, that's Simon demonstrating the pontoon
0:47:12 > 0:47:15in a dive festival we ran in Roundstone.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18'It's involved a lot of hard work to buy,
0:47:18 > 0:47:22'but it's great to know that it'll be here whenever it's needed.'
0:47:22 > 0:47:26So Simon, I'd like to present you with this shiny new pontoon.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28APPLAUSE
0:47:29 > 0:47:34A big moment for me, to present a pontoon to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37That moment is the culmination of my summer's work.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41- Well done, Monty. - Thank you very much, Simon, cheers.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49So that's the pod results and the pontoon dealt with.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52My other research is more long term.
0:47:52 > 0:47:57The dolphin ID pictures are now part of Simon's growing database of sightings.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00One in particular showed up on a regular basis,
0:48:00 > 0:48:04so wherever it next appears we'll always know
0:48:04 > 0:48:08that it spent the summer of 2010 in Roundstone.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11The shark slime DNA samples are being analysed
0:48:11 > 0:48:13at Aberdeen University,
0:48:13 > 0:48:17and will be added to a worldwide database at a University in Florida.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19Basking shark slime.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22And when the tags on the blue and basking sharks
0:48:22 > 0:48:25are found at some future date they'll add to our knowledge
0:48:25 > 0:48:28of their life cycles and migration patterns.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30Yoo-hoo!
0:48:30 > 0:48:33'All in all, a pretty good six months' work.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37'There's just time now to fulfil a personal ambition.'
0:48:37 > 0:48:40I'm in my last few days in Roundstone.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43I thought it would be lovely to go to Inishlacken Island,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47just for a couple of days, put the pots out, do some fishing,
0:48:47 > 0:48:52eat what I catch and just have a little bit of cave time
0:48:52 > 0:48:56at the end of what's been an amazing six months for me.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01I left Inishlacken after my visit with Paddy
0:49:01 > 0:49:04thinking it would have made a great place to live,
0:49:04 > 0:49:08although its remoteness would have made my job impossible.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11But that very isolation makes it the perfect place
0:49:11 > 0:49:15for a bit of quiet reflection on a glorious summer.
0:49:15 > 0:49:21There's no mains water on the island, there's no electricity.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24It's kind of a very basic existence.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27I'm staying in my mate Simon Ash's house.
0:49:27 > 0:49:30He's the estate manager from Ballynahinch Castle,
0:49:30 > 0:49:32and he's got the old schoolhouse here.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Oh, look at that fire!
0:49:37 > 0:49:39I think I can muddle by here for a couple of days.
0:49:40 > 0:49:44The idea is to ban the crew and film everything myself.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47I'm marooning myself on an abandoned island
0:49:47 > 0:49:51with nothing but a bag of spuds, just to get a taste of how life was
0:49:51 > 0:49:54for Paddy and the other families who used to live here.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58Blowing an absolute hooley.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01It must have been sort of gusting 50, 60 knots, it was ridiculous.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04But in the midst of that maelstrom,
0:50:04 > 0:50:07I caught my dinner.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09So that's grand, mackerel.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Late in the season for mackerel, it's October now.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14Really bizarre, as I was tying the boat up,
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I realised I had an audience, which hopefully is still there.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19'The figures I saw have disappeared,
0:50:19 > 0:50:24'so it's not until later in the day that I track them down.'
0:50:24 > 0:50:29I am the only human being on this island.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32Still a few donkeys around though.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Hello chap, how are you?
0:50:36 > 0:50:39Look at that, ears straight back.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43I think there's about seven or eight on the island. Great life for them.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46Plenty of food, no-one to bother them.
0:50:46 > 0:50:50I suppose you can't get to there, can you, that particular spot?
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I wonder what memories that old head holds.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55Eh? The things you must have seen,
0:50:55 > 0:50:58the whales and the dolphins and the basking sharks.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01It's a really beautiful scene behind me there, look at that.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Isn't that lovely?
0:51:03 > 0:51:07It's starting to rain a bit now, so I'm going to take shelter in Paddy's house.
0:51:07 > 0:51:11Eh...hope he doesn't mind. Here we go.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14That squall is about to... About to head in.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17I'm crouched in the corner of Paddy's house.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21The sea is absolutely thrashing out there,
0:51:21 > 0:51:25as this front of rain moves forward.
0:51:25 > 0:51:30Look... So I'm going to go back and dry out all my kit, dry out myself,
0:51:30 > 0:51:33eat the mackerel, get a big old fire going.
0:51:33 > 0:51:38There is the house. How spooky does that look?
0:51:38 > 0:51:42OK, mackerel's nearly done. The potatoes are looking pretty good.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46So it's a very simple meal of carbs and protein.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49But it's a meal that summarises the essence of this island
0:51:49 > 0:51:51and the essence of this part of the world,
0:51:51 > 0:51:54with the fire going in the background,
0:51:54 > 0:51:57eating mackerel and potatoes on Inishlacken Island.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01Ah, but now it's time for bed, I'm a tired boy.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11I slept really, really well last night. It was lovely, you know.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15The peat fire slowly died down and I had my sleeping bag
0:52:15 > 0:52:17and I sort of snuggled in.
0:52:17 > 0:52:21It just lolls you off to sleep, it's quite sort of womb-like.
0:52:21 > 0:52:26But this is not womb-like. Here we are, this is me today.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29There we go, beautiful!
0:52:29 > 0:52:34So that's what I've got to go out and forage in, but not yet.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38In the winter, imagine - this is just October.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41But January, February when the gales came in
0:52:41 > 0:52:45the storms lashed the island and you couldn't fish, you couldn't get out,
0:52:45 > 0:52:47boy, it must have been tough then.
0:52:47 > 0:52:48It seems to have calmed down,
0:52:48 > 0:52:52which is good news cos I'm about to go out and put my shrimp pots out.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54So I'm going to walk out as far as I can
0:52:54 > 0:53:01and stick the creels in and then see what I get. I wonder what I'll get.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04I'll leave them here for now.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07In a moment... By the way, look at that.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10There's Roundstone. Quite a view.
0:53:10 > 0:53:16So I'm going to go and get myself a bucket of limpets and of winkles
0:53:16 > 0:53:20and...dog welts and all sorts of stuff,
0:53:20 > 0:53:24take it back and see what I can do.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27And I've also got some gut weed as well,
0:53:27 > 0:53:30enteromorpha intestinalis, which can be very nice indeed.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33What I'm going to do is just pop it in there and dry it,
0:53:33 > 0:53:35and then I'm going to deep fry it.
0:53:35 > 0:53:39And there we are, a meal fit for a king.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43A very small king with no sense of taste.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46It's food though, it's all protein. And here's the thing,
0:53:46 > 0:53:49it's all checks and balances, isn't it,
0:53:49 > 0:53:52because when I was out there, of course I was using energy,
0:53:52 > 0:53:56charging around the rock pools, throwing in pots, things like that.
0:53:56 > 0:54:00You've got to get that energy back. It's about converting protein,
0:54:00 > 0:54:04so these bits of protein are going to hopefully redress the balance
0:54:04 > 0:54:08of all the energy that I put out collecting it.
0:54:08 > 0:54:14Again a microcosm of what life on the island might have been like back in the midst of time.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17Mm, it's all right.
0:54:17 > 0:54:22Well, I've finished. There it is.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26And you may notice there is a discreet smear of tomato ketchup.
0:54:26 > 0:54:29I disgraced myself, I let myself down and had a rummage in a cupboard
0:54:29 > 0:54:33and found a very old bottle of tomato ketchup.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Oh, there it is. Shut the cupboard door!
0:54:40 > 0:54:43I'm going to go and try and pull up my pots.
0:54:43 > 0:54:48So I've got two shrimp pots out, prawn pots. There's the pots.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53I've checked the shrimp pots and the most wonderful thing has happened.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55It's a twist top to these pots.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58And when Dennis gave me the pots he said,
0:54:58 > 0:55:00"The one thing to watch out for is otters come along
0:55:00 > 0:55:03"and twist them open and take your bait out."
0:55:03 > 0:55:06And this pot right here, the one I've got right here,
0:55:06 > 0:55:10has been twisted open and the bait's gone.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13And I'll show you why it's unequivocally opened
0:55:13 > 0:55:15as opposed to just falling open by the sea.
0:55:15 > 0:55:18There's no way the sea is going to undo that.
0:55:18 > 0:55:23The otters grab them with their little thieving paws,
0:55:23 > 0:55:28give them a twist and then pull. They've learnt to do that.
0:55:28 > 0:55:32And I think, quite frankly, that's the most fantastic thing
0:55:32 > 0:55:37of the whole few days - that I've been laying out buffets for otters.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41I'm really a bit hungry, I can feel my stomach's grumbling a bit.
0:55:41 > 0:55:42I've only been here two days.
0:55:42 > 0:55:47So imagine extending that over a whole year, you know,
0:55:47 > 0:55:51or decades or your entire childhood.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54You had to be tough, resourceful,
0:55:54 > 0:55:58very strong and mentally resilient to live on an island like this.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01And that probably says a great deal about Paddy.
0:56:05 > 0:56:08One of the things I wanted to do while I was here
0:56:08 > 0:56:10was, kind of, reflect on my time here.
0:56:10 > 0:56:15Work wise it's been one of the most satisfying periods of my life.
0:56:15 > 0:56:17There's absolutely no doubt about that.
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Um... Just even the tiny little bits of knowledge
0:56:21 > 0:56:25that I managed to pass on to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group,
0:56:25 > 0:56:27and gradually getting to know that pod of dolphins
0:56:27 > 0:56:32and getting that first tag into that basking shark in Connemara.
0:56:32 > 0:56:35I can't tell you how great that felt.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38Just tremendously exciting, tremendously exciting work.
0:56:38 > 0:56:41So yeah, six months well spent.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45I wonder if I'll spend a better six months in my whole life.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00I'm just packing up the cottage after six months.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03It's six months of accumulated memories, if you think about it.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06That's one of the currach pins
0:57:06 > 0:57:08that Paddy made for me for the Aran Sweater.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11It's become one of Ruben's favourite toys.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13You can see his teeth marks all over.
0:57:13 > 0:57:18In leaving, I am not only turning my back on a lovely group of people in a beautiful place,
0:57:18 > 0:57:22I'm also turning my back on the dolphins out there.
0:57:22 > 0:57:26You know, all these tantalising questions that, if anything...
0:57:26 > 0:57:30That's all I've done, raised lots of questions that need answers.
0:57:30 > 0:57:33'So my girlfriend Tam and I are looking for a cottage to buy,
0:57:33 > 0:57:37'so we can try and find some of those answers.'
0:57:37 > 0:57:40I think the idea is to carry on the work here
0:57:40 > 0:57:42and keep tagging the baskers,
0:57:42 > 0:57:46keep taking photos of the dolphins, keep building that database,
0:57:46 > 0:57:50and keep developing a relationship with a truly extraordinary place.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:58:26 > 0:58:29E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk