#POWER FROM THE SEA - Irish oil and gas firm Providence Resources has been awarded a licence to explore near Dalkey Island, the Irish Independent reports. The standard licence issued by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources lasts…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Some 46 reports of stranded whales and dolphins in Northern Ireland are among the thousands recorded across the UK over the last six years, according to BBC News. A new study co-ordinated by the Zoological Socoety of…

#WAVE – The biggest ever wave in Irish waters was recorded yesterday when storm force winds off the Coast of Donegal produced monster rollers of over 20 metres (over 60 feet) in height off the Northwest tip of Ireland. At…

#TOURISM - Winter might be upon us, but it's a great time to plan a new year holiday in Ireland on the sea, according to the UK's Daily Echo. From night-time paddling in with renowned kayaking instructor Jim Kennedy, to…

#POWER FROM THE SEA - A €9 million Europe-wide wave energy trial programme is one of the key elements of a new Government programme designed to transform Ireland as a maritime nation. According to The Irish Times, University College Cork's…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Enniscorthy Guardian reports that the fin whales that have been sighted off Tramore in recent weeks may soon make their way towards the Wexford coast. Afloat.ie recently reported that Waterford was the 'best place to be'…

#WEATHER - The Irish Coast Guard has warned people to stay away from cliff paths and other coastal areas as near hurricane force winds continue to batter the country, the Irish Examiner reports. As of this morning, Met Éireann was…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Gorey Guardian reports that the bodies of two grey seals were found washed up last week on Booley Bay beach, near Fethard-on-Sea in Co Wexford. The two seal pups were found in an emaciated and malnourished…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The first recorded sighting of a dolphin in an Irish lake has been reported by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), according to The Irish Times. The dolphin was spotted in Lough Hyne, a saltwater lake…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - A harbour seal pup found in a serious condition in Balbriggan last week is new recovering in the care of the Irish Seal Sanctuary. Colin, as he has been named by ISS volunteers, was discovered on Kings…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Irish Independent reports on the carcass of a whale that was strewn on a beach in Co Sligo after it was swept into rocks by Monday's gale-force winds. The 13-metre fin whale had been seen recently…

#ISLAND NEWS - The Irish Times reports that pontoons are to be installed at Portmagee in Co Kerry to provide easier access to ferry services for Skellig Michael. http://afloat.ie/resources/island-news http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news Some 10,000 people visit the Unesco world heritage site every…

#WEATHER - Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for the Irish Sea for the next 24 hours due to expected gale force westery winds. http://www.afloat.ie/resources/weather http://www.afloat.ie/resources/weather A small craft warning has also been issued, with west to southwest winds…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Some 14 Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea are among the network of planned marine wildlife sanctuaries around the UK that has been postponed. http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/item/16797-proposals-unveiled-for-marine-conservation-zones-in-england-and-wales The Liverpool Echo reports that the UK Department for the…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Last Tuesday heralded an incredible eight whale sighting reports off the Waterford coast, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ Sightings co-ordinator Pádraig Whooley writes that most of the sightings have been confirmed to…

#JOBS – 250 jobs could be created over a three year period across five key maritime areas in Killybegs according to a report launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, Minister Coveney set up…