Whale Watch Eire, the annual Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) nationwide public whale watching occasion, has switched dates for 2024.
Now in its twenty second 12 months, this coordinated nationwide occasion takes place concurrently at 11 websites across the Irish coast, which implies there’s a good likelihood that a minimum of one website shall be inside hanging distance for most individuals. Historically held on the third weekend in August, as a part of Nationwide Heritage Week, this 12 months the IWDG has determined to convey the occasion ahead to Saturday 18 Could, as a part of Nationwide Biodiversity Week.
Writing on the organisation’s web site, IWDG Sightings Coordinator Padraig Whooley explains:
“This 12 months’s occasion is being held sooner than regular with a view to coincide with Nationwide Biodiversity Week Eire which runs between Could 17th-26th. We’re additionally hoping that in bringing it ahead to early, somewhat than late summer season, the chances of our delivering this occasion in additional appropriate climate will enhance, as late August has finished us only a few favours lately!”
These simultaneous land-based effort watches across the Irish coast present the IWDG with a novel snapshot of whale and dolphin exercise on the day, in addition to providing an important alternative for members of the general public to study extra about cetaceans in Irish waters. With skilled observers readily available at every location, there’s additionally a excessive chance of seeing whale and dolphin exercise on the day, supplied the situations are appropriate.
The 2 hour occasion is free, and takes place from 17:00-19:00 on the 11 areas detailed under (information by way of the IWDG Web site):
Location Assembly Pt. Chief title Telephone Electronic mail Howth Head, Nth Co. Dublin Balscadden Automotive park Ronan Hickey 086 3391142 ronan.hici@gmail.com Bray Head, Co. Wicklow Raheen Cliff stroll automobile Park Justin Ivory 087 6833898 jcivory67@gmail.com Helvic Head, Co. Waterford The Excessive Automotive park Andrew Malcolm 087 7952061 oxmoron@gmail.com Galley Hd, West Cork Lighthouse Pádraig Whooley 086 3850568 padraig.whooley@iwdg.ie Slea Head, Co. Kerry Layby Nick Massett 087 6736341 nickmassett@hotmail.com Loop Head Co. Clare Lighthouse Simon Berrow 086 8545450 simon.berrow@iwdg.ie * Nimmo’s Pier, Galway Metropolis Parking on the Claddagh Marcus Hogan 085 8772223 marcushogan4@gmail.com Erris Head, Co. Mayo Erris automobile park Tom Breathnach 087 2688435 tunas-insoles-01@icloud.com Mullaghmore Head, Co. Sligo Mullaghmore Layby Rossa Meade 086 0632081 rossameade@gmail.com Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim RSPB West Gentle Customer Centre James Crymble 077 72879038 James.Crymble@rspb.org.uk Bloody Bridge, Co. Down Automotive park Andy Carden 077 62019160 andycarden58@hotmail.com * Please be aware the watch at Nimmo’s pier, Galway could also be introduced ahead for an earlier begin. So test in with chief (Marcus Hogan) for extra particulars nearer to the time
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG.ie)
For extra data try the Whale Watch Eire web page on the IWDG web site — and earlier than you head out, make sure to try our high suggestions for watching whales and dolphins to enhance your probabilities.
These occasions are effectively price attending, if you can also make it. I’ll be heading for the Galley Head watch in West Cork — and hope to see a few of you there.
