Dahlias in My Garden

What the southern Irish underwater world lacks in fish, thanks to decades of overfishing, it makes up for in gorgeous benthic life.

Anemones thrive in the cold clear water here if sufficiently protected from the wild Atlantic and its storms. On deep walls down to well below 40 metres and on the protected sides of large bommies, the sight of these beautiful anemone gardens is wonderful. Quilt-work expanses of jewelled anemone are spectacular when lit up by torchlight, but my favourite by far are the dahlias (Urticina felina).

Dahlia anemones may look like flowers – and indeed beds of them remind me of a well-tended garden – but they are in fact predatory animals that sting and capture passing prey.

It's funny how if a species has no economic value and has not suffered collateral damage from other human pressures, it thrives. Since diving in Kerry, I've had first-hand experience of witnessing this effect. Still, the garden remains beautiful and I look forward to my next visit.


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