These two beautiful gannets flying overhead, alongside the famous Bull Rock, showcase their reputation of Ireland’s most majestic seabird.

Watching gannets feeding is amazing. After a period of circling, a gannet will hover about 6m above the water and then suddenly drop into a vertical plummet, diving into the sea. What is especially spectacular is when a group of them all hit the water at the same time.

Having gannets fly above us was not so amazing. After a short while our boat had scored several hits of a different kind and I noticed at least one direct strike on Johns shoulder.

Majestic they may be but it was now a good thing that we were all about to get into the water.