MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
Trinity Sailing Club (DUSC) has officially announced that its much-anticipated annual Alumni Regatta will take place next Saturday 2 November at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. This event is a highlight of the club’s calendar, drawing…
Broad Welcome for Lough Neagh Action Plan as Stormont Gives Seal of Approval
24th July 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
The long awaited action plan for Lough Neagh that was approved last week by the Northern Ireland Executive has been broadly welcomed, as BBC News reports. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he would put his “shoulder to the wheel” to…
‘Shark Fitbit’ Gives Researchers First-Ever Data From Basking Shark Response to Boat Strike
24th July 2024 Marine Wildlife
Researchers based in Co Kerry have detailed how they captured data — for the first time ever — of a basking shark’s response to a boat strike. As RTÉ News reports, in April the team of scientists from Ireland and…
Anglers ‘Fighting Uphill Battle’ Against Pollution of Northern Ireland Rivers
18th June 2024 Angling
Anglers in Northern Ireland say they are “fighting an uphill battle” against pollution incidents that have resulted in a spate of fish kills throughout the region. As BBC News reports, thousands of fish have been lost in incidents across Northern…
Campaigners Celebrate as Court of Appeal Rules Against ‘Irrational’ Decision to Approve Larne Lough Gas Storage Project
17th June 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Local campaigners shed “tears of joy”, as Belfast Live reports, after the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that Edwin Poots acted “irrationally” in approving unilaterally a major gas storage project under Larne Lough. Under the banner of No Gas…
Marine Experts Say They’ve Cracked Mystery of Orcas Bumping Boats in Mediterranean
29th May 2024 Marine Wildlife
A team of marine experts believe they have cracked the mystery of why a pod of orcas have been ramming boats in the Mediterranean in recent years. Following one of the most recent incidents, in which a 15-metre yacht was…
‘Devastation’ on Co Antrim River as More Than 1,000 Brown Trout Lost in Fish Kill
21st May 2024 Angling
More than 1,000 brown trout have been lost in a major fish kill on a Co Antrim river, as BBC News reports. On Friday (17 May), Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) confirmed the incident resulting…
Orcas Sink Yacht in Strait of Gibraltar in Latest of Spate of Incidents Since 2020
16th May 2024 Marine Wildlife
A sailing yacht has been sunk in the Strait of Gibraltar in the latest of a spate of incidents involving orcas in the region. According to RTÉ News, the 15-metre yacht Alboran Cognac was rammed by the cetaceans on Sunday…
One of Achill Island’s last hunters of basking sharks has welcomed the recent resurgence of the now-protected species, as The Guardian reports. Brian McNeill once joined the currach crews armed with harpoons who slaughtered hundreds of the marine wildlife giants…
A photograph taken by an Irish marine biologist will feature in a new set of stamps from the US Post Office celebrating sea turtles. As the Irish Independent reports, Rowan Byrne snapped his picture some 18 years ago while working…
Donabate Man With Parkinson’s to Kayak Length of Shannon in Fundraising Challenge
10th April 2024 Kayaking
Frank Mullen won’t let Parkinson’s disease deter him from completing an epic 300km paddle of the River Shannon by kayak this summer. As Dublin Live reports, the 61-year-old Donabate man will set out on 28 June on a planned 10-day…
Hopes for Concrete Blocks With Imprint of Ringaskiddy Shoreline to Boost Biodiversity in Dublin Bay
23rd March 2024 Dublin Bay
Dublin’s Great South Wall has taken on the appearance of the Cork Harbour shoreline thanks to a new biodiversity project. According to RTÉ News, a series of large concrete blocks imprinted with a mould of the Ringaskiddy coastline have been…
Water Safety Organisations Make Joint Appeal Ahead of St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend
15th March 2024 Water Safety
Ahead of the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday weekend, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland are issuing a joint water safety appeal, asking people to stay safe when in, near or on the water. Water temperatures are…
Earl ‘Open to Options’ Regarding Future of Lough Neagh as Toxic Blue-Green Algae Returns
23rd February 2024 Environment
The owner of Lough Neagh’s lakebed has said he is “open to exploring options” amid reports of the return of toxic blue-green algae blooms. But as BBC News reports, the Earl of Shaftesbury has refused to budge on suggestions that…
Stormont Debates Motion Calling for Action to Save Lough Neagh from ‘Ecological Catastrophe’
14th February 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Three Sinn Féin MLAs have brought a motion to the newly restored Stormont Assembly for action to save Lough Neagh from its pollution crisis, as The Irish Times reports. MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan described the situation on the…
Judgment Reserved in Campaigners’ Appeal of Larne Lough Gas Caverns Decision
8th February 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Judgement has been reserved in campaigners’ legal bid to overturn the decision to approve the excavation of gas storage caverns under Larne Lough. As the Belfast Telegraph reports, the coalition of local campaigners — under the banner of No Gas…
Divers Recruited to Recover Ghost Nets in ‘Ireland’s Biggest Ever Beach Clean Underwater’
29th January 2024 Coastal Notes
This year will see divers join in beach clean efforts in Ireland for the first time, using their skills to find and remove discarded fishing gear also known as ‘ghost nets’ from around the coast. According to the Irish Examiner,…
Court of Appeal Is Next Stop for Campaign Against Larne Lough Gas Cavern Plans
15th January 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Campaigners against plans to excavate caverns for gas storage under Larne Lough took to its shores last weekend to reaffirm their opposition to the proposals. And as Belfast Live reports, the protest at Browns Bay Beach on Sunday 7 January…
Dun Laoghaire’s assistant harbour master was quick with the camera when a pod of dolphins paid a visit on Monday morning (8 January). Dolphins like these are a common sight for boaters in Dublin Bay and beyond. But it’s a…
Maritime College Head Says Opportunities of Irish Offshore Projects Are There for the Taking
7th January 2024 Power From the Sea
Ireland is well placed to seize the opportunities presented by a boon in offshore projects, according to the head of the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI). Speaking to The Journal ahead of the NMCI’s third annual Seafarers’ Conference next…
