Humpback Whales – Real Life Giants of the Irish Coast
The legend goes it was Fionn MacCool that built the causeway on the beautiful Antrim Coast. That fascinating rock formation on the north…
Marine Life
Booterstown Marsh – A unique Dublin Bay wetland
Booterstown Nature Reserve lies right at the heart of Dublin Bay. This unique wetland is the last remaining salt marsh on the south…
Inland Fisheries Ireland confirms chub an invasive species on the River Inny
Inland Fisheries Ireland have confirmed the re-appearance of the invasive fish species chub (Squalius cephalus) on the River Inny in Longford. Chub when…
Get Involved | Explore Your Shore ‘Seashore Splash!’ 15th – 23rd August
Calling all citizen scientists Explore Your Shore Seashore Splash is back again for Heritage Week. So if you’re making the most of…
Dalkey Island – Coastal paradise on Dublin’s doorstep
All Dubliners and dart goers will be familiar with the iconic sight of Dalkey Island at the edge of Dublin Bay with…
Careful now! This is your easy Jellyfish Identification Guide
It’s that time of the year when the warmer waters around our coast see a huge rise in jellyfish activity. Moon, Barrel…
Public advised against recreational gathering of shellfish
The Marine Institute has detected levels of naturally occurring compounds in shellfish that can cause illness in human consumers, and are warning…
Become a Marine Broadcaster with Galway Atlantaquaria
To celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg 2020, the National Parks and Wildlife Services and Galway Atlantaquaria are inviting 6-18 year olds to become…
Coast Guard and Gardaí Rescue Dolphin on Donegal Beach
This was not your average Easter Monday call out for the Mulroy Coast Guard and the Milford District Gardaí in Donegal. Yesterday…
Coastal Treasures | Go Rockpooling on the Rocky Shores!
The rocky shore never stops being fascinating to us, forever drawing our attention filled with its weird and wonderful sea creatures living in their unique watery…
Ballyglass RNLI rescue stranded dolphin in Blacksod Bay
Seven volunteer lifeboat crew members from Ballyglass RNLI came to the rescue of a large juvenile dolphin which became stranded at Bundúla,…
Smooth Hammerhead shark spotted in Irish waters for first time
A shark species, previously unrecorded in Irish waters, has been sighted in the Celtic Sea during a recent fisheries survey on the…
Study shows Irish puffins adapt behaviour to use tidal currents when foraging
For the first time a new study has revealed that puffins are capable of modifying their behaviour to drastically reduce the effort…
Small numbers of salmon returning to Irish Rivers show signs of bleeding and skin ulceration
Inland Fisheries Ireland appeals to anglers and fishery owners to report incidences of affected salmon after a small number of salmon returning…
Bathers Beware | Dangerous Lion’s Mane jellyfish spotted off Sandycove
Warning signs have been erected at the popular bathing area at Sandycove after Lion’s Mane jellyfish were spotted in the bay earlier…
NPWS warns invasive species and disease threatens native crayfish
The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) – along with The Marine Institute – have…
New study finds salmon survival surprisingly low when migrating to sea
A new study shows low salmon survival when leaving freshwater is an important factor in declining European salmon populations, according to early…
Large Trawlers to be banned within six miles of Irish coast
Minister Creed provides increased protection to waters inside Irelands 6 mile limit – benefits for inshore sector, ecosystem and nursery areas Minister…
Man bitten by Blue Shark while Angling, Crosshaven RNLI to the rescue
It’s not everyday someone gets bitten by a shark off the coast of Ireland. In fact, it’s difficult to find information on…
National Heritage Week 2018 | Take a closer look at the Irish Coast
Heritage Week returns from the 18th – 26th August with events all across the country celebrating our natural, built and cultural heritage….
Rare Sponge Reef and New Coral Species Discovered in Ireland’s Deep Ocean
A team of marine scientists have returned to Galway after spending three weeks at sea investigating Ireland’s deep ocean territory 300 miles…
World’s most endangered seabirds are unprotected in Irish waters
The world’s most threatened seabirds face some of their greatest risks when feeding in Irish waters, according to a new study by…
The Weirder and More Wonderful Creatures of the Irish Coast
Of the many weird and wonderful fish species in Irish waters, some are, well, a bit weirder and more wonderful than others….
Get Involved | Oiled Wildlife First Responder Training Course in Howth
Join Ireland’s team of Oiled Wildlife Responders and learn how to care for wild birds affected by an Oil Spill. A special…
What Goes Up, Does Come Down | Bursting the Responsible Balloon Release Illusion
As somebody who has spent a large part of their lives caring for marine animals it’s probably no shock that I’m intensely…
435 million-year-old starfish fossil discovered in Galway
A 435 million-year-old starfish fossil has been discovered in Maam Valley in Connemara Co. Galway. The fossil was discovered by geologist Dr…
Seabirds of the Irish Coast | The Puffin
The Irish coast has some pretty amazing creatures and the Puffin has to be one of the most beautiful. The Puffin is…
Celtic Voyager has Exciting Encounter with Breaching Beaked Whales off Irish Coast
A team of scientists on board the RV Celtic Voyager during a recent survey to understand the habitat use of elusive beaked…
Lesser Spotted Marine Life | Rare Toothed Rock Crab caught off Tory Island
A rare toothed rock crab not usually seen in these waters was caught off Tory Island earlier this month. Toothed rock crabs…
Rested and Ready to Swim, Sally the Turtle is Heading Home
Sally the loggerhead turtle – that has been recovering in Oceanworld Aquarium for the last few months – is finally all better…
2017 Another Record-Breaking Year for Whale and Dolphin Strandings
2017 has been another record-breaking year for whale and dolphin strandings. By 31st August there had already been 201 validated strandings logged…
Go WhaleSpotting this Saturday! All-Ireland Whale Watch at 20 Locations
Although whales can be been seen throughout the year, the most frequent sightings occur now in late summer and autumn when they come to…
Rare Arctic Bearded Seal Spotted on Cork River Bank
A rare and unusual visitor has been spotted in West cork. A bearded seal, more commonly found in Arctic sea has been…
National Heritage Week 2017 | Take a closer look at the Irish coast
Heritage Week returns (19th – 27th August) with events across the country to celebrate and promote our natural, built and cultural heritage….
Wexford Whale unveiled at London’s Natural History Museum
After months of preparation the Wexford whale is now ready to be revealed to the public in its new place of honour…
Hungry Sharks circle Whale Carcass off Donegal Coast
The Irish Air Corp captured these amazing images of a whale carcass being scavenged by sharks 200km off the northwest coast of…
[Watch] UCD Scuba Divers Epic Encounter with Basking Sharks off Mayo
The thought of an unexpected and extremely close encounter with sharks would bring a shiver to many off us but for a…
Discovering the Secrets of the Seashore with Olive Gilsenan
Secrets of the Seashore is an exciting new marine environmental experience based at the beautiful Donabate beach. They offer workshops and camps which…
Gotta Catch ‘Em All | Another Rare Lobster Finds a Home in Achill Aquarium
The Achill Experience has become the place to see rare and amazing lobsters. Over the past month they’ve acquired three different types…
From the Depths! Rare Giant Squid Caught off Dingle
One of the most rare and mysterious leviathans of the deep has been caught off the coast of Kerry. The giant squid measuring…