Tog Hackerspace is teaming up with South Dublin Radio Club for another Parks on the Air adventure, and this time we are heading offshore to Ireland’s Eye.
Key info
Date: Sunday 21st June 2026
Meeting point: Howth, for the ferry to Ireland’s Eye
Ferry: 9:45 am ferry with Howth Cliff Cruises
Cost: Around €30.45 return, please check the ferry website for the latest price
Booking: Please book your own ferry ticket in advance
POTA references: IE-0266 Ireland’s Eye Conservation Area and IE-0267 Rockabill Conservation Area
Callsign: EJ0LGBT, using the June special event callsign EI0LGBT from the island
Bands: 20m, 40m and 2m, conditions permitting
Who can come: Radio operators, Tog members, SDRC members, walkers, island explorers and anyone curious about portable radio
Important note: Landing on Ireland’s Eye is weather and tide dependent, and the island has uneven ground and limited facilities.
Trip note: This is an informal club outing rather than a guided tour. Everyone joining is responsible for booking their own ferry, checking the conditions, and deciding if the island walk and boat landing are suitable for them.
On the day, club members will travel by ferry from Howth to Ireland’s Eye to activate two new Parks on the Air references:
The east edge of the island gives us a lovely POTA “2fer”, that’s right, two parks in one activation zone. We will be operating using the June special event callsign EI0LGBT, but as we will be on an island, we will be using EJ0LGBT on the air.
We plan to be active on 20m, 40m and 2m, conditions permitting. We also hope to call into the South Dublin Radio Club net and the IRTS 2m news from the island if timing and coverage allow.
Ireland’s Eye is a small uninhabited island just off Howth, with a mix of rugged coastline, seabirds, seals, the ruins of an early church, and a Martello tower. The island is part of an important protected coastal landscape, including the Ireland’s Eye SAC and the wider Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC. We will be keeping well clear of nesting areas, taking all rubbish home, and leaving the island as we found it.
For a nice overview of the island and its history, have a look at this Irish Times walk around Ireland’s Eye.
Coming along?
We will be taking the 9:30am ferry from Howth with Howth Cliff Cruises. If you would like to join us, please book your own ferry ticket in advance. The return ferry is around €30.45, but please check the booking page for the latest price and availability before travelling.
Please note that this is an informal club outing rather than a guided tour. Everyone joining is responsible for booking their own ferry, checking the weather and ferry updates, wearing suitable clothing and footwear, and deciding if the boat landing and island walk are suitable for them. Landing on Ireland’s Eye is weather and tide dependent, and the island has uneven ground and limited facilities.
Please have a look at this Ireland’s Eye walking route on Wikiloc before booking, so you have a good idea of the mobility requirements.
This is not only for radio people. If you are a Tog member or friend who would just like a walk, a bit of island exploring, some sea air, birdwatching, or a look at what a portable radio activation involves, you are very welcome to come along.
What to bring
Please dress for the weather and the island terrain. We suggest:
- Sturdy footwear
- Rain jacket and warm layers
- Water and snacks or a packed lunch
- Sun cream and a hat if the weather looks good
- A fully charged phone or power bank
- Any portable radio gear you would like to bring
- A bag to take all your rubbish home
As Ireland’s Eye is a protected bird sanctuary, please be mindful of wildlife, especially nesting birds. Keep to sensible walking areas, avoid disturbing birds or seals, and leave no trace.
We are looking forward to another fun POTA day out with South Dublin Radio Club, this time with a ferry trip, a bit of island radio, and hopefully plenty of contacts in the log.
Listen out for EJ0LGBT from Ireland’s Eye!