#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has called for the extension of Ireland's pioneering whale and dolphin sanctuary throughout European coastal waters. As the Clare Herald reports, the move comes on the 21st anniversary of the…

#BLUE FLAGS - Dollymount Strand has regained its Blue Flag status in this year's round of awards, which sees the largest ever number of Irish beaches and marinas recognised. The beach on north Dublin's Bull Island - which recently hosted…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Staff at the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary were subject this morning to the gruesome sight of two baby seal heads nailed to signs outside the facility. According to the Irish Independent, the grisly scene was accompanied…

#EARTHQUAKE - The North West region experienced its biggest ever earthquake this week in an event that poses “very interesting questions for geologists”. The magnitude 4 quake on the morning of Wednesday 6 June, which was epicentred close to the…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Department of Energy could be in beach of the EU habitats directive for licensing a seismic survey off the West coast without providing adequate protection for marine wildlife. As The Irish Times reports, the Irish Whale…

#ARAN ISLANDS CRUISE CALL – Two vessels, a cruiseship and a lighthouse tender are today off Kilronan, the capital of Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, writes Jehan Ashmore. The ships are the 114 passenger cruiseship Island Sky (1992/4,200grt)…

#COASTAL NOTES - A 17th-century merchant vessel recently discovered off West Cork could have carried Ireland's first coconuts, the Irish Examiner reports. The shipwreck near Schull was discovered embedded in silt 30ft below the surface by workers laying pipes for…

#COASTAL NOTES - A number of West Cork piers have been included in the current round of funding under the 2012 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme, according to the West Cork Times. Keelbeg Pier at Union Hall will…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Another humpback whale sighting off West Cork has been confirmed by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) - and it could be a new arrival to these shores. The humpback was encountered some seven miles southeast…

#WEATHER - The Irish Times reports on video of what appears to be an over-water tornado or 'seaspout' off the coast of Sligo last week. The video above was captured at Rosses Point on the afternoon of Monday 7 May…

#ROUND ANGLESEY CRUISE – A 'Round Anglesey' cruise operated by Waverley Excursions and served by  Balmoral (1949/688grt) is scheduled a month from today as part of the season of excursions, writes Jehan Ashmore. The cruise circumnavigation of the Isle of…

#ISLAND NEWS - The latest Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) outlines the reinstatement of passage for boats through Achill Sound in Co Mayo. Passage will be subject to the following procedures that Mayo County…

#AQUATIC TOURISM – The Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Traditional Boat Festival has won the Best Cultural Event category in the regional finals of the Scottish Thistle Awards. The awards, organised by Visit Scotland celebrate excellence in the Scottish tourism industry.…

#TOURISM - Germany's top travel writers were invited to Cork recently to sample some of the best water-based activities the county has to offer. As InsideIreland.ie reports, the group followed an itinerary designed by Fáilte Ireland that included seaweed picking…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The East Coast of Ireland was treated to a rare sight yesterday morning with the spotting of a basking shark at Dun Laoghaire. According to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), the gentle giant was sighted…

#POWER FROM THE SEA - When will Ireland make the most of its wave energy? That's the question Journal.ie last week posed to experts in the field. Some studies claim that up to 75% of Ireland's energy needs could be…