Floating Classroom completes its’ tour in from Dublin to Cork

31 May 2019

The Floating Classroom reached its final destination in Cork city after a very successful two weeks. Schools from Arklow to Dunmore East, Youghal to Wexford and in Waterford and Cork cities were visited by members of the IWDG, Irish Wildlife Trust, Marine Dimensions and the Irish Ocean Literary Network.

Celtic Mist had great receptions in Arklow, Dunmore East and Youghal, with great help from local people and great receptions from the children.

Many thanks to Noel Bright, Paul Field, Seán O’Callaghan, Emma White, Regina Classen, Liam Keane, Sarah Varian, Liam Quinn, Irene Reidy, Mags Daly, Conal O’Flanagan, Eleanor Honan, Shazia Waheed, Eoghan Concannon and Pamela Cullen for making it so successful.

And many thanks also to the Irish Environmental Network for supporting this initiative.

27 May 2019

Celtic Mist left Waterford on Sunday afternoon and sailed to Dunmore East. Today our educators visited schools in Dunmore and tomorrow we sail to Youghal.

Our team of educators including Mags Daly, Conal O’Flanagan and Eleanor Honan from the IWDG and Shazia Waheed and Eoghan Concannon from the Irish Ocean Literacy Network are joined by manager Pamela Cullen and skipper Liam Quinn with first officer Irene Reidy.  They will make Cork city by Thursday night and visdit schools in Cork city before laying up Celtic Mist til SeaFest from 7-9 June.

22 May 2019

Celtic Mist sailed to Kilmore Quay then visited two schools in Wexford town today. Great reception and great feedback. Nuturing tomorrows marine biologists. Fitting that Celtic Mist was berthed next to the GSI research vessel RV Keary.

Celtic Mist in Kilmore Quay

Regina Claussen of the IWT and Sean O’Callaghan of the IWDG in Wexford schools. Photos: Pamela Cullen

Next stop Waterford …..

20 May 2019

Great first day on the Floating Classroom 2019​

Good day at the first schools on the Floating Classroom initiative.

Killer whale sighted in the river too

Many thanks to Dave and Seán Kenny from Arklow (0402) cabs for giving our team a lift in his people carrier to the first school and back to the boat after the second one. Many thanks also to Niall O’Toole of Arklow Marina for providing Celtic Mist with a free berth when he heard what we were doing.

19 May 2019

Floating Classroom 2019 mobilised in Poolbeg Yacht Club, Dublin before heading today to Arklow to visit schools tomorrow. Onboard joining the IWDG are a team from the Irish Wildlife Trust and Marine Dimensions.

18 May 2019

A group of Ireland’s environmental NGOs are teaming up this spring for a rather unique education project lead by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.  The exciting Floating Classroom initiative is combining ocean exploration with an educational schools programme which aims to raise awareness of Ireland’s marine biodiversity.  Taking to the seas in the IWDG’s research vessel Celtic Mist, the team of marine biologists and ocean literacy experts will be making their way down Ireland’s south east coast from Arklow to Cork, calling in to coastal communities provide engaging workshops to schools along the way.

After an extensive refit during the winter in Grand Canal Docks, Dublin, the 56 foot ketch yacht will also be open to the public when docked at local marinas and harbours, giving the public an opportunity to see the workings of a dedicated whale and dolphin research vessel and how researchers live and work at sea.

Apart from raising awareness for Ireland’s rich marine wildlife, the team will be emphasizing the importance of taking care of our seas and oceans.  With challenges such as plastics pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss now frequently in the news, there is a pressing need for communities to work together to tackle environmental issues.

While pupils will be introduced to the wealth of marine and coastal wildlife on their doorstep, each school will be asked to come up with three ways in which they feel they can make a difference for their local blue environment.

The team of biologists will also be proposing ways in which the public can get involved, including citizen science projects that encourage people to report their sightings of whales, dolphins, seabirds and even shark eggs!  Schools will be encouraged to get involved in other community-based initiatives too, such as beach cleans being run by organisations in their area.

Environmental NGOs involved in the Floating Classroom include the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Marine Dimensions and the Irish Wildlife Trust and the Irish Ocean Literacy Network.

Celtic Mist leave Poolbeg Yacht Club at 12 noon on Sunday 19th May and will finish in Cork City on 1 June.

She will take part in seaFest from 7-9 June before starting the humpback whale season on 10th June with IWDG members

Current Floating Classroom Schedule below. Please visit her if she is in a berth near you!

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