- Help collect important data on the whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Irish waters
- Learn marine mammal identification and surveying techniques
- Assist the crew in all aspects on the trip
- Explore Ireland’s beautiful and unique coastline
- Experience an unforgettable sailing experience like no other in Ireland
- No previous experience required you just need to become a member
Celtic Mist is used to train its members how to survey and record cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) in Irish waters. As an IWDG member, you become a partial owner of Celtic Mist, and at €600 for a week-long survey, we hope you take full advantage of what she has to offer! Anyone can become a member and join us on board for a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are at least 26 cetacean species present in Irish waters, from the harbour porpoise to the largest animal on the planet, the blue whale.
That’s over a quarter of the world’s species of cetaceans. Some species are migratory, like humpback and fin whales off the southwest and south coast, while others are resident year-round. We have such a diverse number of species due to the myriad of marine habitats that occurs in our waters. From sheltered bays and the shallow waters of the continental shelf to deep complex canyon systems and abyssal plains, Irish waters are one of the most important places in Europe for cetaceans.
The Vessel
Celtic Mist was donated to the IWDG in 2011, by the family of Ireland’s former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey. At 17m, Celtic Mist has become IWDG’s flagship vessel, equipped to accommodate eight people. Celtic Mist has surveyed Irish inshore and offshore waters since 2012, successfully circum-navigating Ireland on several occasions, including in 2022. Blue whales were seen on her first offshore survey, and she successfully undertook an expedition to Iceland in search of humpback whales in 2018. Coastal communities are visited during the summer months with members of the public encouraged to visit the yacht to learn about Ireland’s rich marine life while promoting marine conservation. In May 2019 the education programme Floating Classroom begun where pupils undertake unique ocean educational activities and learn about marine mammal surveying both in the classroom and onboard the vessel.
Photo taken by IWDG member Marcus Hogan.
Survey
Schedule 2023
This year Celtic Mist will travel from Dublin to Kilrush, with a variety of surveys on offer. During the surveys members will help the onboard marine biologists to survey the waters along the south and west coastline, looking out for and recording marine life. The survey route will concentrate on candidate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as identified by IWDG and Fair Seas, where we will be collecting crucial data on the cetaceans we encounter.
Survey Details and Booking
In this survey we will sail along the east and south coast from Dublin to Cork, an area of high cetacean diversity. You never know what you are going to see out in our waters, but keep your eyes peeled for a range of species, including common dolphins and minke whales which are particularly abundant in the area. It is also a true hotspot of seabird activity. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the southwest coast, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA). The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to cover as much of this area as possible, looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. Whilst we cannot guarantee what we might see on the survey, it is an important foraging area for both humpback and fin whales. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the cetaceans in this area.
Join us as we sail along the spectacular southwest coastline. This route travels through the Southwest Coast candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA), an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as an important foraging area for both humpback and fin whales. With a high diversity of species in this area you never know what you might spot, but keep your eyes peeled for minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises as well. It is also one of the most diverse areas for seabird species in Ireland. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the southwest coast an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA). The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to see and cover as much of this area as possible, looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. With a high diversity of species in this area you never know what you might spot. It is an important foraging region for both humpback and fin whales, with a good chance of seeing minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises as well. It is also one of the most diverse areas for seabird species. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the southwest coast an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA). The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to see and cover as much of this area as possible, heading offshore when feasible, and looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. With a high diversity of species in this area you never know what you might spot. It is an important foraging region for both humpback and fin whales, with a good chance of seeing minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises as well. It is also one of the most diverse areas for seabird species. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
Join us as we sail from Bantry to Dingle exploring the spectacular southwest corner of Ireland. These waters have an abundance of marine life, and whilst you never know what might pop up in our waters, the area is known as an exceptional place to encounter humpback whales, as well as minke whales and Risso’s dolphins. The islands and archipelagos that skirt the peninsulas of Kerry are also some of Ireland’s most prominent seabird breeding sites. The route travels through the Loop Head to Kenmare candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA) identified by IWDG and Fair Seas. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the Kerry coastline, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA). The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to see and cover as much of this area as possible, heading offshore when feasible, and looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. These waters have an abundance of marine life and whilst you never know what might pop up in our waters the area is known as an exceptional place to encounter humpback whales, as well as minke whales and Risso’s dolphins. The islands and archipelagos that skirt the peninsulas of Kerry are also some of Ireland’s most prominent seabird breeding sites. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on the marine life in this area.
In this survey we will be concentrating our efforts on the Shannon Dolphins. To find out more about this genetically discrete population visit our Shannon Dolphin Page.
In this survey we will be concentrating our efforts on the Shannon Dolphins. To find out more about this genetically discrete population visit our Shannon Dolphin Page.
In this survey we will be concentrating our efforts on the Shannon Dolphins. To find out more about this genetically discrete population visit our Shannon Dolphin Page.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the Clare and Kerry coastline, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA). The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to see and cover as much of this area as possible, heading offshore when feasible, and looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. This survey will pass through the Shannon Estuary SAC, home the charismatic bottlenose dolphin. If conditions allow this survey will also head offshore in search of larger baleen whales, with August one of the best time to see them in this area. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on in this area important and protected area.
Join us as we sail from Fenit to Dingle exploring the spectacular west Kerry coastline, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Ireland’s first and only Hope Spot. This area is highly biodiverse. Minke whales are spotted here all year round, humpback whales are seen in peak numbers in August (when this survey takes place), and several dolphin species are also spotted in the area. The islands and archipelagos that skirt the peninsulas of Kerry are also some of Ireland’s most prominent seabird breeding sites. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on in this area important and protected area.
In this survey we will be exploring the waters along the Kerry coastline, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Ireland’s first and only Hope Spot. The route will be weather dependent, but the flexibility of this trip will allow us to see and cover as much of this area as possible, heading offshore when feasible, and looking out for whales and dolphins along the way. This area is highly biodiverse. Minke whales are spotted here all year round, humpback whales are seen in peak numbers in August (when this survey takes place), and several dolphin species are also spotted in the area. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on in this area important and protected area.
The final survey of the season we will explore the waters along the Clare and Kerry coastline, an area identified by IWDG and Fair Seas as a candidate Marine Protected Area (MPA) and Ireland’s first and only Hope Spot. These waters have an abundance of marine life and whilst you never know what might pop up in our waters the area is known as an exceptional place to encounter minke whales, humpback whales and basking sharks. This survey will pass through the Shannon Estuary SAC, home the charismatic bottlenose dolphin. By joining us onboard you will play an integral part in collecting vital data on in this area important and protected area.
NEWS
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Posted in: News
IWDG Members Cruises Onboard R.V. Celtic Mist, 2022
Celtic Mist Cruise 9 – Baltimore to Cork
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Posted in: News
IWDG Members Cruises onboard Celtic Mist: Celtic Spirit
blogs on members cruises: Cruise 4 Surveying the Shannon Bottlenose Dolphins
Volunteering
Opportunities
Celtic Mist has undergone two extensive refits since she became an IWDG vessel. These refits were necessary to prepare her for work in Irish waters when she was originally donated to the group in 2011 and to be ready to sail to Iceland in 2018. Both refits would not have been possible without the voluntary effort of IWDG members.
Maintenance is carried out each winter to ensure that Celtic Mist is seaworthy for her summer sailing schedule. This year they have typically taken place on Thursdays and Saturdays at the Grand Canal Basin in Dublin.
If you wish to help with her winter refit in whatever way you can we would love to hear from you. Maintenance jobs vary greatly from chipping rust to sanding or painting among others. Please get in touch with Fiacc O’Brolchain at fiacc.obrolchain@iwdg.ie if interested.
You can see more about this year’s volunteer call here.
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Photo Credit: Marcus Hogan
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IWDG Cruise 2016
Launch Fenit -
IWDG Cruise 2016
Sanctuary Cruise Plan -
IWDG Sanctuary Cruise 16 Director Brendan Quinn
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IWDG Sanctuary Cruise 16 Porpoise Survey
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IWDG Sanctuary Cruise 2016 Dr John Mark
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IWDG Sanctuary Cruise 2016 Members Outloo
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IWDG Sanctuary Cruise 2016 (Short Film)
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Whale Sanctuary Cruise 2016 (Short Film)
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Charlie Haughey’s old yacht ‘Celtic Mist’ in Dublin for winter refit
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IWDG Humpback Whale Expedition – Ireland to Iceland 2018 : Call for volunteers
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Humpback Whale Expedition vessel Celtic Mist off the south coast of Iceland
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Endangered White-beaked Dolphins filmed in Faxa Bay, Iceland
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Bottlenose dolphins bow-riding RV Celtic Mist in the Outer Hebrides
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Humpback Whale fluking in Skjálfandadjúp Basin, Iceland
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Margins : Paul O’Neil
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Volunteers wanted for RV Celtic Mist Winter Refit : Jan-April 2019
