Seven successful applicants will be awarded funding under the Marine Institute’s SmartBay National Infrastructure Access Programme (NIAP) following the 2018/2019 funding call. The awardees will receive support of around €25,000 per project to trial and validate their technology and/or gain…

An aviation “first” has been recorded on the Atlantic corridor between Connemara and the Aran Islands with the delivery of medication by a drone writes Lorna Siggins The Wingcopter 178 Heavy Lift drone flew diabetes prescription medications and a collection of…

Overseas visitors holidaying in Ireland’s coastal areas spent €1.94 billion in 2018, while marine tourism generated €650 million in the same period. That’s according to new research from NUI Galway’s Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit (SEMRU), which also identified activities such…

The public has been urged to “stay clear” of a minke whale carcass found washed up on Tyrella beach in Co Down yesterday morning (Monday 9 September). According to ITV News, the 27ft marine wildlife giant was found with what…

Over six million visitors to Ireland visited a coastal area last year and almost five million of them took part in a marine-related activity, a study by NUI Galway has found writes Lorna Siggins Most popular water-based activities were sea swimming,…

An apparent coastguard vessel from the United States has washed up in the Aran Islands today (Tuesday 3 September). In a post on their Facebook page, the Doolin Ferry Company reported spotting an object in the water on the way…

Concerns remain for the health of a rare beaked whale refloated from a Co Waterford beach at the weekend, as The Irish Times reports. The Sowerby’s beaked whale stranded near Helvick Head on Friday (30 August) and was twice returned…

The global climate crisis and how it relates to biodiversity and ocean protection is a big topic for discussion at a two-day conference in Trinity College Dublin which starts tomorrow (Monday 2 September). The ‘Bigger and Better’ Marine Protected Area…

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) sets sail this weekend for Cape Verde next month on its eighth humpback whale expedition. Funded by the Island Foundation, this two-week mission comes just months after the IWDG finally confirmed the breeding…

It's been 15 days since 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg hitched a ride on a sail-powered yacht from Europe to the U.S. for the U.N. Climate Action Summit taking place in New York in mid-September. As Afloat previously reported, Thunberg…

Louth-based marine technology firm Xocean is following its recent funding boost with plans to expand into North America and eventually Asia, according to business news site Fora. The company specialises in innovative robotics, particularly unmanned vehicles, and IoT technology to…

A group searching for a woman missing near the Cliffs of Moher has contacted Afloat.ie in an appeal for her whereabouts. Pauline Walsh was last seen on Tuesday 6 August in the Hag’s Head area in Co Clare, and since…

Brexit uncertainty as well as VAT increases have been cited by the estate agent handling the sale of a Tory Island hotel for its failure to secure a buyer, as The Irish Times reports. Afloat.ie noted in April that the…

Warming waters are bringing more marine wildlife considered unusual for Ireland to our shores, according to a rare fish specialist. The Irish Sun spoke to Dr Kevin Flannery of Dingle Oceanworld who discussed recent arrivals at the Kerry aquarium, including…

Geophysical surveys are being undertaken in the Irish Sea in outer Dundalk Bay from this week. The work is required to provide bathymetric and subsurface information for the development of the Oriel Wind Farm project. Survey work was expected to…

Howth’s iconic Ireland’s Eye has been purchased by investment group Tetrarch Capital, TheJournal.ie comfirms. The island — which is an important breeding spot for many seabirds — was included in the recent sale of Howth Castle and demesne by the…