"Every time I thought I had reached the peak, that the passion for the journey must certainly begin to wane, I would stumble on another experience that pulled me onward," writes Chris Duff, recounting his solo circumnavigation of Ireland by sea kayak in the summer of 1996. "Stroke by stroke, four miles an hour, Ireland was filling me with its life blood."

Beginning and ending in Dublin, Duff paddled 1,200 miles over the course of three months. Sometimes he piloted his frail craft through waters too tumultuous even for hardy local fisherman; other times he sought refuge in sixth- century monastic ruins on coastal islands or waited out storms for days on end in his tent. In this sense, Duff's journey is a study in contrasting worlds: land and sea; past and present; solitude and society. The story's suspense comes not from a questionable outcome, but in the surprise of daily encounters. Who or what relic of the past will the author stumble upon next?

Ultimately it is Duff's openness to ancient and elemental forces, expressed in starkly honest prose, that propels his narrative through the churning waters of Irish history and landscape. But this is also the story of a sea kayaker at the top of his game, dealing with nature's harsh blows and quiet caresses. --Kristopher Kaiyala --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Synopsis
A sea Kayak battles the freezing Irish waters as the morning sun rises out of the countryside. On the horizon is the pinnacle of Skelling Michael, rising out of exploding seas. Somewhere on that isolated Island are 6th - century monastic ruins where the light of civilization was kept burning during the dark ages. The ocean rises violently and tosses paddler and boat as if they were discarded flotsam. This is only one day out of Chris Duff's incredible three-month journey. ON CELTIC TIDES is a memoir unlike any other. Filled with vivid insight into the geography, culture and history of Ireland it transports you to a country rich in heritage. Take a white-knuckle ride with author Chris Duff as he braves the furious Irish seas, and examines his own soul in a quest for self-discovery.