Displaying items by tag: AllIreland Whale Watch Day

17th August 2017

Look To The Sea On All-Ireland Whale Watch Day Later This Month

Whale watchers at Galley Head in West Cork

#MarineWildlife - 2017’s All–Ireland Whale Watch Day is scheduled for Saturday 26 August between 2pm and 5pm as part of Heritage Week.

Join the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) at any of 20 land-based whale watches across Ireland to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of Irish waters being declared a sanctuary for whales and dolphins and find out about the 25 species of cetaceans – porpoises, dolphins and whales – recorded to date around the coast.

All watches are land-based and will be led by experienced IWDG researchers, enthusiasts and whale watchers who will show you how to observe and identify some of the more commonly-recorded cetacean species seen in Irish waters.

The event also provides IWDG researchers with a unique snapshot of whale and dolphin activity around the Irish coast on the same day.

Please bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have them and dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. There are no boat trips involved and there is, of course, no guarantee that you will see whales or dolphins at your chosen site – but at last year’s event, whales or dolphins were recorded at 15 of 20 sites.

So if the weather is suitable on the day, you’ve quite a good chance of seeing some really interesting marine wildlife. And in the process, you’ll be supporting whale and dolphin conservation in Ireland.

The full list of watching locations, with watch leader contacts, is as follows:

Clogherhead, Co Louth - Port Oriel Upper Car Park - Breffni Martin 087 9145363
Howth Head, North Dublin - Balscadden Car Park - Conal O’Flanagan 086 3537900
Killiney Bay, South Dublin - Vico Road - Isabel Baker 086 4057633
Bray Head, Co Wicklow - Pitch & Putt Car Park - Justin Ivory 087 6833898
Wicklow Town - Black Castle Car Park - Brian Glanville 087 1390665
Hook Head, Co Wexford - Hook Head Lighthouse - Harm Deenen 086 3485013
Ardmore Head, Co Waterford - Ram Head Signal Tower - Andrew Malcolm 087 7952061
Galley Head, Co Cork - Lighthouse - Pádraig Whooley 086 3850568
Lehanemore, Beara, Co Cork - Lehanemore Community Centre - Patrick Lyne 027 71930
Valentia Island, Co Kerry - Bray Head Signal Tower - Sean O’Callaghan 085 7764918
Clogher Head, Co Kerry - Layby - Nick Massett 087 6736341
Loop Head, Co Clare - Loop Head Lighthouse - Simon Berrow 086 8545450
Black Head, Co Clare - Black Head Lighthouse - Sandra O’Donovan 086 6061869
Downpatrick Head, Co Mayo - Car Park - Aoife Foley 085 8276984
Mullaghmore Head, Co Sligo - Mullaghmore Layby - Miriam Crowley 087 6171377
Bloody Foreland, Co Donegal - Foreland Heights Car Park - Gareth Doherty 086 2223328
Inishowen Head, Co Donegal - Tower - Trish Murphy 087 6748183)
Portstewart Head, Co Derry - Car Park - Jim Allen 078 76516032
Portmuck, Co Antrim - Car Park - Ian Enlander 028 93372724
Bloody Bridge, Co Down - Car Park - Dave Wall 077 71762355

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.