Introduction
Looking for a weekend with a difference? Why not join the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) www.iwdg.ie, Ireland’s leading marine conservation NGO, on a weekend whale-watching course based in Mullaghmore, North Sligo in September 2026. In taking part, you will also be actively supporting whale and dolphin conservation and research in Ireland.
This event will be our first time delivering such a course in the northwest in almost 20 years, when we ran a series of weekend courses based on Tory Island between 2004-2007. However, much has changed since then and we are excited about the potential of both this great venue and Donegal Bay’s new status as one of Ireland’s premiere whale watching hotspots.
This weekend will combine a relaxed learning experience, providing a unique opportunity to learn more about some of the 26 species of whales and dolphins, that can be found in Irish waters. Your course facilitator and guide will be IWDG Sighting Officer, Pádraig Whooley, who has delivered similar weekend courses since 2002. Suitable from ages of 18 years upwards, our courses cater for all levels of interest, from the complete novice to the wildlife enthusiast who’d like to learn more about Ireland’s cetaceans and how you as Citizen Scientists can contribute to the conservation of these magnificent marine mammals as well as other species of marine megafauna such as basking sharks.
For full details & bookings see link on Eventbrite:
IWDG Whale Watch Ireland 2024 event from Mullaghmore, which will be one of our chosen vantage points in September © Rossa Meade, IWDG
During the weekend we’ll deliver at least 3 indoor presentations covering cetacean ecology/biology, IWDG Recording schemes/data, Species Identification and Citizen Science.
Weather permitting, we’ll bring you offshore on the MV Kiwi Girl and another charter vessel to explore the waters around the outer Donegal Bay and the stinning Sliabh Leag.