Marine life in Irish waters, from watching whales and dolphins in Donegal Bay to studying the underwater soundscape of the Irish coastline, is among the themes covered in the new series of RTÉ television's 10 Things to Know About.
Presenters Kathriona Devereux, Fergus McAuliffe and Amy Hassett take to the seas, skies and roads to meet the mariners, researchers, farmers, engineers and volunteers uncovering the science behind everyday life – from the creatures beneath the waves to the complex codes that keep our bank accounts safe.
Ireland's vast territorial waters support highly diverse ecosystems and represent internationally significant habitats for a wide variety of species, including whales, dolphins, sharks and seabirds.
In the first programme, on Wednesday, November 4th, the team meets researchers conducting ocean and aerial surveys to assess the distribution and numbers of marine mammals in Irish waters.
As Ireland gears up for an offshore wind boom, the programme also interviews researchers seeking to protect marine creatures and shellfish along our coastlines from the potential effects of technological developments. Their work includes documenting our underwater soundscape before it is drowned out by "acoustic smog".
Aboard KiwiGirl out of Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, Mark O'Connor explains why this stretch of the Atlantic has become such a draw for cetaceans and the work Donegal Bay Trust does to bring people closer to that world.
Skipper Declan Kilgannon also shares stories from a life spent on the water – and explains why, with more boat traffic and future offshore development both part of the conversation, looking after these waters matters.
The year 2026 marks the third phase of the ObSERVE survey programme to build a picture of protected species. Eoin MacCraith discusses how fine-scale coastal surveying is revealing even more about Ireland's marine territories.
Tiffany Goh, who spots marine life from above, explains how she relays sightings of whales, dolphins, seabirds and other species to a data logger in real time.
Acoustic studies in the Shannon Estuary are also covered, along with research investigating the potential effects of offshore wind farm noise on shellfish. Scientists are assessing how shellfish perceive and respond to underwater sound, with the aim of developing a noise sensitivity index for commercially important shellfish species.
10 Things to Know About is produced by New Decade TV, with support from Teagasc, SEAI, Geological Survey Ireland, the Heritage Council and RTÉ, alongside educational partner Scoilnet.
The new series of 10 Things to Know About begins on Wednesday, November 4th, on RTÉ One at 8.30pm.
