I had meant to make an entry after El Herrio in October this year but was whisked off to South Africa too soon. The diving in El Herrio was outstanding. To see a manta ray loitering over El Bacon was something special - the craic (as usual) was mighty and hill walking exilerating.
Writing this on Christmas eve so have a great Christmas and an even better New Year.
Billy Nott

Just to sincerely THANK YOU & OLIE for a wonderful week in El Hierro. As with ALL God’s outings - the diving was super, the craic mighty and the company magnificent. A tremendous time had by ALL. The manta rays just made the diving “orgasmic” - as always with the gods!!.

Regards

Breff and Rita.

Hi Shane and Ollie
Now I know why you are called GODS . You performed a miracle on me . You changed a golfer into a walker .Had a very enjoyable week. Hope Denzel is doing o.k and not working too hard
Regards Eamonn Connaire

on 27/02/2008 to 01:16
Vincent & Anne Staples (Wexford, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie,
We would like to thank you both very much for the wonderful holiday we had on El Hierro last week.It is one that we will bore our friends about for a long time and one we will never forget for reasons too numerous to mention. Very Best Wishes,
Anne & Vincent

on 19/02/2008 to 21:59
Catharina Jager (Clare Island, Ireland)

Hello Shane,

Hope u are well.
I am doing very well, busy walking, knitting, working in the
garden, being bored in the library. etc.
Have plans to go on another walking holiday,not sure where; such happy memories of El Hierro
.Might see u this year on Clare Island?
Best of luck with your walks, and thanks for a great time last year Catharina.

on 15/02/2008 to 10:29
Sheela (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane n Ollie

just read Adriennes msg about Tenerife/Los Gigantes - lucky to have been on that short trip and yep loved the place that much I went back three weeks later. Just so laid back, Neville and crew at the Dive Centre great and Los Gigantes so relaxing. Super lido with stunning views of the cliffs. Great value . love to go back x

on 12/02/2008 to 18:11
Adrienne (Dublin, Ireland)

Shane,
Belated New Year greetings - looking forward to 08 GODS trips.
Also hope to see you in Tenerife. Really enjoyed Los Gigantes last year; village is so peaceful, relaxed, scenic: open air swimming pool right beside the sea’s edge. Perfect for GODS!
Diving was surprisingly good, Dive Centre bent over backwards to facilitate us -if it’s half as good as last trip, it’ll be brilliant!
Adrienne

on 11/02/2008 to 17:08
Harry and Margaret (Navan, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie,

The happy memories of Easter 2007 in El Hierro have not faded. We had one week of walks, eating, drinking and great craic with wonderful people in an incredible place which we had never heard of. We were asked if it was among our top ten holidays ever. It was in the top three and a gold medal contender. We hope to go back but we do not think it can be in 2008.

Many thanks again,

harry and Margaret.

on 22/12/2007 to 19:03
Louise (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi ! Just want to thank you for a wonderful trip to Egypt. The diving was fantastic and to crown it all on the last day, snorkelling with 40 dolphins was a mindblowing experience. Hope you both have a lovely and peaceful Xmas,
Louise xx

on 21/12/2007 to 05:07
Vincent (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane, Thanks indeed for organising another excellent diving trip. Please convey our gratitude to your beloved Ollie. We all enjoyed it but in particular it was magic for young Greg who is in boarding school. Conor and Caroline enjoyed everything; diving, quadbiking in the desert and playing with wild dolphins. Fidelma, though not diving, gave it ten out of ten.
Cheers, Vincent

on 21/12/2007 to 04:47
Donna O’Shea (Kerry, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie,
I have passed on my wonderful experience in El Hierro to all my family and friends. Words cannot describe the dive experience. Thank you both for a wonderful holiday. Happy diving and I hope Denzil behaves himself!
Donna

on 19/12/2007 to 20:37
Brian (Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie…glad you made it to Calif safely….thanks again for a great holiday…we just looked at all our photos and we really did have a good time …everyone would love to go back…..what about those dolphins?? and the turtles?? and the food?? and the craic?? roll on the next one…..best wishes to all the GODS for Christmas from all the Guyetts

on 03/12/2007 to 09:37
Deirdre (Tullycross (is that a city!), Ireland)

Shane, Ollie

Thank you for a fantastic holiday in El Hierro.

Five full days of cracking diving does a happy diver make! Hopefully I will get back soon ,if only to see the loveable Pancho (giant grouper) again.
Deirdre

on 29/11/2007 to 18:05
Brian (Ireland)

Hey Pat!! looking forward to seeing you guys again next week in the Red Sea…I’m bringing re-inforcements this time..’the family’ in a soprano sort of way!!!
The GODS be with you

Brian

on 29/11/2007 to 17:50
BREFF and WC aka RITA (CO KILDARE)

Hi shane and ollie,just back from trip no 4 to el hierro and as usual had a brilliant time. the walking companions were great..were we the magnificent 7 or the 7 dwarfs i wonder.???? hope to see ye again in the not too distant future .as ever regards to denzel and irene and viva el papa.

on 25/11/2007 to 19:31
PAT (KILDARE, Ireland)

El Gray One
Looking forward to Red Sea Trip; will see you guy’s in China China, London Tuesday

The Naas Gang

on 28/10/2007 to 23:23
Anne Keane (Athlone, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Regards to Ollie and it was lovely meeting her; just met her briefly on my previous El Hierro trip. It was great meeting such lovely people on the holiday and we intend to keep in contact. Hope you are still enjoying those lovely sunny days out there. Happy Halloween !
Best Wishes, Anne

on 28/10/2007 to 23:04
Lucinda Gould (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie,
Many thanks to both of you for looking after us so well in El Hierro last week. It was a lovely first time experience (walking holiday and being away on my own) and one I will definitely repeat. We are planning a reunion on 24th Nov; Anne K is going to lead us up Lugnaquilla - so that should be interesting…
Kind regards, Lucinda

on 28/10/2007 to 22:42
Tracey Dillon (Newtowncashel, Ireland)

Hi Shane & ollie, Thank you for a lovely holiday - accomodation,location and company just perfect. We packed so much into the weekI feel I was away for longer! My photos turned out very well and I will have many fond and happy memories of my time in El Hierro. The group were a great bunch of people and we all had a mighty last night! best Wishes, tracey

on 26/10/2007 to 09:47
Bernie (Kilkenny, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Many thanks to you and Ollie for a fantastic week in El Herrio. My second trip I enjoyed even more than the first. You really took care of us so well and I was able to pace myself nicely on the walks. Keep up the good work
Take Care
Bernie

on 26/07/2007 to 15:51
Paula & Tony (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Fantastic w/end to Inish Meain! The weather, craic and the diving were out of this world. I had great fun with the camera, never saw such an amount of life and colour on Irish dive before. Can’t wait for Inish Turk and Inish Boffin trips!! Tony & Paula

on 23/07/2007 to 12:11
Séamai The Sex God (Newry, Ireland)

Hi Folks; 3rd Time lucky; Once again that wee Island Innis Meán came up with the goods on the diving & craic front & the weather played a blinder the icing on the cake. Special thanks to Shano for organising a brilliant weekend & also the bold Nick for looking after us all so well.

on 09/07/2007 to 17:33
Deirdre (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane, Ollie,

Nice to see you both again for the first Gods / Godesses Irish trip of the year. I really enjoyed diving in Beara. Needless to say, the craic, chat, food and wine were well up to the usual Gods high standards. One for the Gods diary next year, I hope.

Welcome home. Deirdre.

on 18/05/2007 to 11:16
Thomas sharkey (Clogher Head, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Just a short thank you for your hospitality and organisation last week. We had a fantastic diving week in El Hierro and would hope to return in the future. Please thank Ollie also. See you soon I hope.
Tom

on 17/05/2007 to 14:50
Gillian (Bray, Ireland)

La Palma is stunning, congratulations on finding so many spectacular walks, each one better than the one before.
Tell the chef we were asking for him, I hope the waiter has stopped shaking!
Thanks again for a fantastic week, La Palma is every bit as good as El Hierro which is high praise.

on 16/05/2007 to 21:30
BREFF and W C ! (Newbridge co kildare, Ireland)

shane and ollie, thanks for a great week on LA PALMA.the trip lived up to all its expectations and the walking was just fantastic.the scenery is just breathtaking there.we would recommend the trip to anybody!
regards to denzel and irene and viva el papa.regards, breff and rita

on 08/05/2007 to 22:03
teresa & donal (Naas & Bantry, Ireland)

Shane
Many thanks for looking after us so well on recent trip to El Hierro, service 1st class from pick up at airport to departure week later, appreciated all the extras you provided- happy hour drinks & bites, menu transalations for Coeliac, alarm clock call with coffee if required, - walking very enjoyable even if ocassional challenging, you showed us some real gems over the week- thanks again, teresa & donal

on 07/05/2007 to 10:34
Patsy and Ann Gallagher (Navan, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Thank you very much for your very generous hospitality in El Hierro and Tenerife. It is very much appreciated. May you continue to share beautiful El Hierro with many more walkers and divers for a long time.Hope to meet you in La Palma next. Thanks also to “The Swallows” who welcomed us warmly on their walks in Tenerife.

on 21/04/2007 to 17:40
Louise O’Brien (Greystones, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie, Now that I have been back safely to work for the first week I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed El Hierro….always hard to adjust back to normality after holidays. Thank you both so much for making it so pleasurable organising all the lovely restaurants and Happy Hour in your apartment. Really miss the diving already.
Hope to see you both when you get over to Ireland
Talk Soon, Louise

on 18/04/2007 to 00:43
Deirdre Brady (Trim, Ireland)

Hello to Ollie and Shane,
Back in work today and reality hurts!! It will take me quite a while to lose the El Hierro glow I think. Many thanks to you both for all your kindness, fun and laughs and for sharing the little piece of heaven that is El Hierro. Enjoy your week off !
Kind Regards,
Deirdre

on 17/04/2007 to 15:25
Eileen Kavanagh (Cork, Ireland)

Hi Shane and Ollie,
Many thanks for a wonderful holiday and all your help and kindness. I appreciate all the work you both put into organising the Happy hour,the driving and the whole holiday. I have so many happy memories and I’m easing myself back to real life. Thank God the weather is glorious here so it makes it a little easier.
Thanks Again And Every Good Wish, Eileen Kavanagh

on 06/04/2007 to 09:37
Jurga (jurgita) (Ireland, Lithuania)

Hello Shane,

Just got my PADI certificate posted. I’m so happy I did my final dives in EL Hierro. The deserts, forests, mountains, ocean and people, Irish songs are still in my head. Was a great mixture to forget and remember yourself again. Many THANKS!

on 04/04/2007 to 15:53
Paul Finucane (Limerick, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Just to thank ollie and yourself for a great holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be back again. We’ll also spread the word around among walkers and divers we come across. I do hope you’ll visit us in the Summer. We’d love to meet up with you again and have plenty of room either in Limerick or Union Hall.
Love to you both from Aileen and I, Paul

on 02/04/2007 to 10:35
Ronan Connolly (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
Many thanks to Ollie and yourself for terrific holiday in El Hierro. great to be back diving again. Craic was as good as ever and a memorable Paddy’s day !
Ronan

on 02/04/2007 to 00:59
Michael (Cork, Ireland)

Hi Shane

Thanks for a great week in El Hierro. Great food and drink, great walking and the best of craic- what more can one ask for ? Best of luck for the future.

MICHAEL

on 21/03/2007 to 21:01
Richard (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane,

Many thanks for a great week in El Hierro. The diving, the company and the craic were all brilliant. The only way to spend a St. Paddy’s Day! Hope to see you there again.

ps thanks also for the dietary help

Richard

on 08/03/2007 to 14:55
Paula and tony (Dublin, Ireland)

Has anyone got any photos of the GODS trip to Tobago in Dec.? If so where are they? Would love to see them. I took all movie this trip and am still at the editing stage!

on 01/03/2007 to 00:19
ShaneGrayLa (Vancouver, Canada)

Hi Shane,
Dropping you a line in 2007. Like the new pix on the site. You’ve done some updates since we last spoke. Have posted a new ShaneGray site in Canada, and thought you would be interested in the other “shane gray” updates. http://www.shanegrayla.com

Keep up the adventures. I hope to get out to your neck of the outback in the next year or so.

Sincerely,

Shane Gray

on 21/02/2007 to 05:40
Jim (Boston, United States)

i liked your site.

on 28/12/2006 to 02:23
Colin McCann (Donegal, Ireland)

Hi Shane,
I am bad at keeping in touch but just wanted to let you know that the El Hierro trip was fantastic. Good vis. and good craic. Thanks for keeping us well fed and watered too! Hope to return.
Kind Regards,
Colin, Sheephaven SAC

on 27/12/2006 to 18:18
Sinead Rice (Dublin, Ireland)

Dear Shane & Ollie,
Wishing you all the best for Christmas and the coming year. Thank you for Tobago and another unforgetable trip.
Sinead

on 24/12/2006 to 10:26
Louise O’Brien (Greystones, Ireland)

Hope you enjoyed your second week in Tobago. I must say I enjoyed the trip immensely. So enjoyed the diving and between the music and food and discovering the rainforest it was a trip to remember. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Louise

on 23/12/2006 to 20:23
Richie O’Donnell (Limerick, Ireland)

Happy Christmas to both of you and can I thank you for organising that Tobago trip! I really appreciate how much organisation went into it and I loved every bit of it. See ye in the New Year.
Regards,
Richie O’Donnell

on 20/12/2006 to 18:34
Dan (Dublin, Ireland)

Shane & Ollie,

Thanks once again for organising our trip to Tobago. It was a great trip and great to get away in December to something completely different : Drift diving in Caribbean waters, interesting wildlife and nitelife, some connemara weather but with 29 degree water.

Best regards to all the GODs & GODdesses,

Dan

on 01/12/2006 to 10:32
Mario from Limerick (Limerick, Poland)

Thanks for the very good diving in El Hierro there is no coral reef but very good visibility 40 meters, lot of rocks and marine life. I recommend!!!
Mario

on 01/12/2006 to 07:06
Harry Cullen (Rathdrum Co Wicklow, Ireland)

Shane, many thanks again for that thrilling week in El Hierro that you planned and delivered to those 21 from the Arklow Wicklow Hill Walkers Club. Many of us have been on other outings but yours was the best yet. Harry Cullen

on 30/11/2006 to 15:02
Mario (Limerick, Poland)

Zajebiste nurkowanie na El Hierro!!!Nie ma raf koralowych, ,ale widocznosc 40 metrow, duzo skal i zwierzat morskich. polecam!!!

on 15/11/2006 to 12:48
Paul Gillen (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane and Oillie, thanks for a great week of diving and the craic in El Bar was 90, PS, Shane your a legend,
Paul Gillen.

on 02/11/2006 to 10:03
Sandra & Will (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane & Ollie, thanks for the great time we had in El Hierro, loved the diving, especially the night dive in the harbour, we got some great photos! Thanks for everything and we might see you in SW in the summer.

on 31/10/2006 to 19:23
Len (Midleton, Cork)

Shane + Ollie, Thanks for the great holiday, everything was spot on excellent diving, food and the odd beverage. Got to remember some of those Denzel lines! Thanks also to Breffni, the Aquamarine and Ryan Air! crews for the good craic and easy diving. till next time.
Len.

on 28/10/2006 to 12:29
Dermot (Celbridge, Ireland)

hi shane. thank you for the time we had in el hierro. the diving was fantastic, and the fun in el bar was brill. hope to do it again. see you in SW next summer. dermot

on 18/10/2006 to 19:48
BREFF & RITA aka COMELY WENCH (Newbridge, Ireland)

SHANE AND OLLIE,thanks for another great week on el hierro.the group were just fantastic ,as was the walking,the food,the craic ,el bar etc etc etc.we made lots of new friends and hope we get a chance to walk with them again on el hierro. regards also to denzel and irene.viva el papa.breff and rita.

on 10/10/2006 to 16:13
Paula&Tony (Dublin, Ireland)

Had great summers diving! Great finish up at GODS dinner in Killkee. Can’t wait for trip to Tobago in Dec. Won’t be long now! Great crowd going the craic will be mighty and the diving too!
Paula and Tony

on 25/09/2006 to 10:26
Lydia & Emma (United Kingdom)

Hi Shane and the rest of the GODS

We would just like to say a huge thank you for inviting us along to your Kilkee craic, what a fantastic weekend, what a fantistic group of people, it was our first vists to Ireland, and it certainly won’t be our last. Special thanks has to go to the lovely Ronnie Hurley and Manuel, our minders for the weekend.

We loved the time we spent with the GODS, and we hope to see you all again soon.

on 21/07/2006 to 09:26
Elizabeth Heagney (Dublin, Ireland)

First outing for me with the GODS – I really thought I was in heaven on Inis Meain. This place is so unspoilt and beautiful. All the gang were so welcoming and friendly to someone they had just met – I felt I was among friends.

on 18/07/2006 to 23:04
Ethel Geoghegan (Ashbourne, Ireland)

Shane. Let all the GODS in paradise be thanked for a magical w/e in innis meain. Due to heat wave, the island itself was like a Greek island, the diving was erotomanic with great craic, great company – it really could not possibly have been enhanced.

on 18/07/2006 to 18:09
Deirdre (Dublin)

Hi Shane,
Thanks for a great Gods weekend on Inis Meain. Weather, food, craic and diving were all magic. Looking forward to the next.

on 18/07/2006 to 13:07
Seamai (Newry, Ireland)

Hi Folks

MickIlene A Rua & myself just back from another unbelievably good GODS weekend on Innis Meann/Arann Islands, the diving/craic measured a whopping 9.9 on the orgas-ma-tron, the weather could have been better, but not much. The bold Nick did a great job as usual & played the perfect host on the Lisín 1. This island is fast becoming a very special place to me.

on 02/05/2006 to 22:11
Ann and Tony (Dublin, Ireland)

Shane and Ollie
We are both chilled out, relaxed and happy after our week in Tenerife and El Hierro. Great holiday we had lots of fun and adventure. Beautiful place, lovely diving and great company.
A&T

on 02/05/2006 to 21:16
Peadar Farrell (Dublin CSAC, Ireland)

Thanks Shane and Ollie,

A very interesting and varied Island. The diving,eating, drinking and refuelling ! were all great fun. Indeed the cloudy walkers were great craic also. Thanks for all your hard work.

Peadar

on 02/05/2006 to 17:51
Dan (Dublin, Ireland)

Shane,

Well done on the re-styled and re-energised website. It looks great. Looking forward to joining the Gods on various trips this year including Tobago.

Dan

on 02/05/2006 to 13:50
Marguerite brosnan (Killorglin, co kerry, Ireland)

Shane and Ollie, Great week in El Hierro.
Dont think i laughed as much in a long time, great walking, grub and weather. Nice group, given that the majority were from inside the Pale!.

Marguerite

on 01/05/2006 to 15:09
Paula&tony (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane and Ollie.
Not long till we see you both for great diving in the West!! Can hardly wait. Hope you will organise a week/end trip to Inis Turk. if you do, count Shiv, Tony and myself in.
Love Paula and Tony

on 12/04/2006 to 07:40
Paul Tanner (Beara Diving) (Beara Peninsula, cork / kerry, Ireland)

Hi Shane, My family and I had a great trip with you a few weeks ago and are looking forward to a return trip in October.

all the best Anne, paul and Lauren

on 03/04/2006 to 14:05
Ronnie Kavanagh (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane,I was going to write to say how much Kay and I enjoyed the week on Hierro, but you beat me to it with your e mail.It really was a great week and I have circulated a few of your brochures to some of my friends.Thanks for the information about car hire etc.

on 03/04/2006 to 07:48
Manuel Di Lucia Jnr (Newmarket-on-fergus, Ireland)

Have to complement on the website shane it is excellent, all this talk about El hierro is really making me want to do a trip, maybe next year. Hope all is well with you & Oli. Best regards Manuel & family…

on 02/04/2006 to 16:57
Ronnie Hurley (Ireland)

A big hello and grateful thanks to Shane and Olli for organising a really GREAT Safari trip to Marsa Alam. The craic and diving were mighty with 23 sociable GODS, who gelled so very well together, providing camaraderie and hilarious fun (are you reading this, Maeve and Manuel?)
What about including Scubadive West as a venue in this year’s diving programme? I reckon that a lot of GODS would enjoy that. Keep up the good work in giving us all an opportunity to broaden our diving horizens.

on 02/04/2006 to 16:56
Trisha Phelan (Celbridge, Ireland)

Hi Shane, thanks for the great holiday in El Hierro ,the walking was great, the food and company really good. There was a hell of a lot packed in in the week,I never expected to see so much of Hierro maybe I’ll get back to try under the water next.
Trisha

on 02/04/2006 to 16:56
Elizabeth Heagney (Dublin, Ireland)

Hi Shane, Back to work today after wonderful week. Thank you so much for taking so much trouble to make the holiday so full of fun and enjoyment. As a ‘not so experienced walker’ I found all the alternatives you provided on the days I did not do the full walk wonderful. The swims, the slide show, the day at the hotel (can’t remember the name) having all those wonderful treatments. Meals were delicious and so reasonably priced - I was totally spoilt. Can’t stop thinking about the try dive - think I could be addicted!! Thanks for taking to the End of the World and back.

on 02/04/2006 to 16:55
Pat Folan (Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland)

Just back from an amazing week’s diving in El Hierro. 11 dives in 5 days. Marine life abundant and approachable. Weather scorching. Water temp 23 degree C. Best dive holiday yet!

on 02/04/2006 to 16:55
Lee Doyle (Dublin, Ireland)

Shane, I hope to dive El Hierro soon. Learnt to dive PADI style while living in Lanzarote. Did some Dives in Gran Canaria on Holidays. Fab Viz, hugely enormous Groupers and loads a Angel Sharks !!!
Great Site, Congrats.
Lee

Until Kilkee

All The Best

Séamai

Patricia

Many thanks looking forward to the next time. PS I will leave a box!! with Breffni in Scuba Dive West next month.

Many thanks again,

Blondie.

Sorry, it’s a bit of an that it’s taken me so long to get around to this; maybe I was just so blown away from the FANTASTIC trip that I wasn’t thinking straight !
What can I write about the trip that hasn’t been written before?
Well, we were all when we arrived, when we dived, and - not to mention a bit - when the time came to leave. We had the -est holiday ever, thanks again.
By the way, I was down in SDW this weekend too. Good to see once again that the sons have inherited the father’s organisational flair. Had an amazing time there too, as usual.
Thanks once again,

CU again next year, with a bit of luck.

Ross.

El Hierro is a superb island to visit, unspoilt by tourism and spectacular. Great holiday, and free Jethro jokes thrown in, compliments of Shane Gray.

Can’t recommend it enough.

I will come back. I love photography and boy what a place to take photo’s. We walked, swam and snorkled in fantastic water and stunning scenery. A really wonderful holiday. Also El Bar, after a hard day, the perfect end to the perfect day.

Keep up the good work Shane.

Thanks again

Rory,