I had mixed feelings as I was driving to Myross Woods House this June bank holiday weekend to deliver our recent IWDG Residential Weekend Whale Watching Course at CECAS ; and it wasn’t just the poor weather outlook. This was our 9th and unfortunately to be our last such course at CECAS since our first
IWDG report on Whale Watch Ireland 2026 On Saturday 23rd May the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) delivered another Whale Watch Ireland event. All Ireland Whale Watch day, now in its 24th year, comprises free, guided land-based whale watches, which this year was planned for and delivered at 18 sites in 14 coastal
Team members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group travelled to Dundee, Scotland, in April for the 37th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society, one of Europe’s key gatherings for marine mammal researchers, conservation practitioners, students, policy specialists and stranding experts, reuniting over 800 people. Held from 20–24 April 2026, this year’s conference theme
On Saturday 23rd May the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) invites you to join us at a local headland or vantage point for Whale Watch Ireland 2026, between 5:00-7:00 PM. This annual event, now in its 24th year, comprises free and guided watches at 18 local sites as part of All-Ireland whale watch day.
There have been six confirmed species of beaked whales recorded in Ireland to date, all of which belong to the family Ziphiidae. These are elusive deep-diving offshore whale species, and the majority of what we know about them globally comes from the examination of stranded individuals. The most frequently stranded beaked whale species in Ireland
The Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) has published its Nature Restoration Recommendations, recognising that 90% of our protected habitats are in unfavourable conservation status, and laying out key areas of work to allow implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation. The cost to implement the Regulation in Ireland across land and sea is estimated at up to
I can’t be the only person wondering what’s happening to our humpback whales this year? A review of IWDG sightings data over the past decade (2016-2025) shows that during this period our first recorded humpbacks have been reported between March 2nd and April 20th, with a median date of March 27th (see graph below). At
Ireland boasts such rich and abundant marine biodiversity as well as a legal responsibility to protect it. The European Commission has recently sent a letter of formal notice to Ireland opening an infringement procedure for failing to fulfil its obligations under the Habitats and Birds Directives. The deadline for putting in place a network of
Ireland’s seas are home to whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, fish, coastal communities and livelihoods. They are also under increasing pressure. For years, people across Ireland have called for stronger protection for our marine environment. Yet progress on Marine Protected Area legislation has been too slow. Ireland has committed to protecting 30% of its waters, but
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is running Live Stranding Response Training Courses this summer to train new volunteers and refresh the skills of existing responders across Ireland’s coastal counties. 📍 Sligo (Mullaghmore) – Saturday 25th April – Sold out 📍 Clare (Whitestrand) – Saturday 13th June – Book HERE 📍 Kerry (Ballinskelligs) –