Shanghai visitors savour Sherkin

SHANGHAI to Sherkin, a contrast that would make one’s head spin.

However, the 20 Chinese medical and food-science students who recently visited Sherkin Island in west Cork’s Roaring Water Bay kept their heads fixed firmly on their shoulders and earnestly absorbed all that was presented in terms of magnificent scenery, Irish welcome and thrilling music during their stay.

Professor Pat Wall, until recently chief executive of the Irish Food Safety Authority and chair of the European Food Safety Authority – and now teaching and researching at UCD – conducted the group around, a hands-across-the-ocean gesture. They stayed at The Sherkin Island Hostel where they enjoyed barbecues of freshly-caught mackerel and sesiúns of Irish music at night. All but two of the visitors were girls and all spoke English well.