In May 2018, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group left Dublin embarking on an expedition to Iceland on its research vessel Celtic Mist.

Four women and four men; a retired school teacher, a surgeon, a parks ranger along IT specialists and a farmer from Kildare were onboard and skippered by a project manager from Arklow.

During the next six weeks, 30 members from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, of all ages and from all walks of life sailed Celtic Mist 4,500 km around the Icelandic coast and even into the Arctic Circle before returning her back to Dublin via the Faroe Islands and Scotland.

They went in search of humpback whales, one of the most enigmatic species in the world’s oceans. Humpback whales are increasing in Irish waters and the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group want to know where are they coming from or going to ! Ireland and Iceland share this whale population and we wanted to improve our knowledge of their ecology and build relationships between our two island nations. But the crew came back with more than they bargained for!

Many experiences were shared by those who sailed Celtic Mist on this ambitious expedition. Many special moments were had with people and wildlife that will stay with these everyday mariners for the rest of their days.

A collection of images, stories and videos will be presented, by the skippers, scientists and crew who ventured on this “Trail of the Whale“ expedition to Iceland.

Humpback whales fluking in Skalfandi Bay, Iceland © Pádraig Whooley

Celtic Mist Crew © Seamus McGearailt

IWDG will visit 20 venues throughout the island of Ireland including two offshore islands.

Join us for the launch of this nationwide library tour in the Lexicon, Dun Laoghaire on January 14th and thereafter at a venue near you.

Suitable for all ages and free to everybody, families welcome

Contact pamela.cullen@iwdg.ie for more information 

In partnership with and Canola Pictures  https://www.patreon.com/canolapictures

Crew off Hornstrandir, West Fljords, Iceland © Frances Bermingham

Celtic Mist off the Snaesfellness Peninsular, Iceland © Wouter Jan Strietland

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