Whale Watch Ireland 2010
Sunday, 22nd August 2010, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Sunday 22nd August is All-Ireland whale watch day, with free, guided land-based whale watches at 15 sites around the coast between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.
The purpose of national whale watch day is to raise awareness about the 24 species of cetaceans (porpoises, dolphins and whales) that can be seen around the Irish coast, by giving members of the public an opportunity to observe these wonderful marine mammals in their natural environment. This event also provides IWDG researchers with a unique snapshot of whale and dolphin activity around the Irish coast.
This annual, all-island event, organized by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with the generous support of Inis Cologne, is free and open to all. All the whale watches are land-based and will be led by experienced IWDG personnel, who will show you how to observe and identify some of the more commonly observed cetacean species seen in Irish waters.
You should bring binoculars or a spotting scope and dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. Please note there are no boat trips involved, and there are of course no guarantees that you will see whales or dolphins during your event. Contact your local organizer for further details (see below) or visit the IWDG website www.iwdg.ie for further details and the very latest information on whale and dolphin sightings and strandings in Irish waters.
Locations and personnel leading your local event
| Location | Meeting Point | Watch Leader | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howth Head, Dublin | Balscadden Car Park | Brian Glanville | 087-1390665 |
| Bray Head, Wicklow | Pitch & putt car park | Dinah Boyne | 087-2288875 |
| Hook Head, Wexford | Hook Lighthouse | Kevin Mc Cormick | 086-2041968 |
| Ardmore, Waterford | Ram Head signal tower | Andrew Malcolm | 087-7952061 |
| Galley Head, Cork | Lighthouse | Pádraig Whooley | 023-8838761 |
| Garranes, Beara, Cork | Dzogchen Beara Ctr | Patrick Lyne | 027-71930 |
| Slea Head, Dingle Penisula, Kerry | Slea Head Shrine | Nick Massett | 087-6736341 |
| Brandon Point, Kerry | Car park | Mick O'Connell | 087-6328106 |
| Loop Head, Clare | Lighthouse | Aoife Foley | 087-9878438 |
| Black Head, Clare | Lighthouse | Joanne O'Brien | 086-8657633 |
| Downpatrick Head, Mayo | Car park | Conor Ryan | 085-7253807 |
| Mullaghmore Head, Sligo | Mullaghmore lay by | Fiona Farrell | 087-9542145 |
| Lough Swilly, Donegal | Fort Dunree | Dermot Mc Laughlin | 087-7412044 |
| Portstewart Head, Derry | Harbour Hill | Jim Allen | 028-70344083 |
| Larne, Antrim | Larne Town Park, Glenarm Rd | Ian Enlander | 028-93372724 |
Please contact your local watch leader directly with any queries.
The IWDG wish to thank Inis Cologne, who have generously sponsored this event since 2004, and Fáilte Ireland for their support. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group is once again delighted for Whale Watch Ireland to be part of Heritage Week which runs between 21-29 August 2010, co-ordinated by the Heritage Council.
