When the boat comes in

When the boat comes in

FISH ON THE MENU: For an island people, we have never been too fond of seafood, but every morning a small army of fishermen take off in their boats to net fresh catch. DOMINI KEMP overcomes her fear of crabs to spend a day at the helm.

ART OF ME felt like a Russian spy in a James Bond film, getting ready to embark on a dangerous mission at sea at 0500 hours. The other part of me wanted to hit the snooze button. Who on Earth wants to get up at this ungodly hour of the morning to go fishing?

But I persevere and duly arrive at the port in Howth at 6.30am and wait for Alan Betson, Irish Times photographer and my companion for the day. It’s already busy out here, with forklifts going up and down the docks, and men in wellies stacking crates and loading vans. They’re all working too hard to notice how picture-perfect their work place is.

I meet Martin McLoughlin of Nicky’s Plaice, the wholesaler and retailer of all types of fish, and I’m welcomed into the shop and offered a coffee, which seems to be complimentary for everyone who comes here to shop for fish. But I’m warned not to drink too much before heading out to sea – the implication being that there won’t be a ladies’ loo on board our vessel....read more

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