Éidín Griffin: Something about that boat trip to Kinsale helped me overcome my fear

Kinsale-based writer and performer Éidín Griffin tells Helen O’Callaghan about a sailing trip that had her feeling utterly helpless and very scared — yet ultimately it has made her less fearful and more ready to embrace adventure and new learning experiences. 

Éidín Griffin by the sea at Kinsale Boatyard. Picture by Noel Sweeney

I lived in South Africa for 25 years, in the mountains, three hours from the sea. I’d never gone sailing until I moved to Kinsale in 2019 and started making friends with people who sailed.

By 2021, having done small sails — mild, lovely outings out of Kinsale Harbour — I offered to help crew a yacht from Carlingford Lough to Kinsale. We were three women: the skipper, Lisa, American, very enthusiastic — and Mel, German, an experienced sailor.