The Tetrapod Trackway on Valentia Island dates from the Devonian period over 365 million years ago.
Neil really wanted to see the Tetrapod Trackway although I’ve got to admit that I teased him that the Tetrapod just looked like an enormous prehistoric newt!
We walked down to the rocky shore line from a small carpark near the road.
“Don’t expect a smooth walkway, instead be prepared for a steepish sloping path (but very manageable) and depending on sea conditions you may or may be able to get down to see the actual track way. It is not an exaggeration to say that you will see the track way in its original condition.”
We reached an information point and then passed through a gate (which I’m leaning against in the photo).
The Valentia Island Tetrapod footprints are the most extensive of the four Devonian trackways in the world. They really are rather impressive! Particularly, when you think about how old these are.
The Wandering Sock photographed sitting on a rock overlooking the Tetrapod Trackway are progressing well. I’ve finished turning the heel, have completed the gusset and am about a third of the way along the foot.
“In 1993 an undergraduate geology student discovered a tetrapod track on the north east of Valentia Island. The tetrapod tracks are in lay person’s terms footprints of a animal believed to have been created some 385 million years ago (give or take a year or two). The Valentia Island track way is of international importance as it provides some of the oldest evidence of one of the first water dwelling creatures which crawled out of the water and made the important evolutionary step toward land dwelling.”
I’ve tried the sock on and love how it is turning out! Gorgeous self patterning sock yarn, my favourite colours and a very comfortable sock pattern. Perfect!
Just to leave you with a final photo of these amazing footprints. Imagine, they have been in this rock for 365 million years. Just think, when this tetrapod walked across the ground here, Ireland, was attached to North America and south of the Equator.
What an amazing place Tetrapod Trackway appears from your photos and dialogue.
So glad Neil encouraged the exploration and that you shared your experience.
And, the traveling socks look beautiful–love the colors and the way the pattern is working out. Joyce in Utah
Hi Joyce, The Tetrapod Trackway was really interesting. I just find it amazing that a creature could walk across some mud over 350 million years ago and we can still see its track marks today. Nicolette
Oh mine! And I thought dinosaurs at 65 millions years ago is old enough! How amazing it is to see a piece of history from so many years ago. I recently borrowed a few travel books on Ireland, and hope to read up more on the country. As a tourist though, I doubt I can ever see and travel the way you do.
Your Wandering Socks is so lovely, can’t wait to see the completed socks and the beautiful photos you take with socks. I am loving this colourway more and more, but I can only buy yarns ago about 2nd week of August when new credit card cycle starts again! I hope there is still stock of this colourway left by then!
The Tetrapod Trackway was very cool to see. It is hard to believe that these tracks dated back to Devonian times and can still be seen today.
The Opal Beachcombing Message in a Bottle is a beautiful colour combination.