All–Ireland Whale Watch Day, “Whale-Watch Ireland 2016”…a date for the diary
Whale Watch Ireland 2016, Saturday 27th August, between 2:00 – 5:00pm
.jpg)
The early arrival of humpback whales and other species of whales and dolphins along the Irish coast seems like a good omen for this years All Island Whale Watch day which will be held on Saturday 27th August. Members of the public will be invited to join the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) at one of 20 land-based whale watches being held at headlands around the Irish coast between 2:00-5:00 pm.
The purpose of whale watch day is to raise awareness of the 25 species of cetaceans (porpoises, dolphins and whales) recorded to date in all Irish waters, by giving IWDG members and the public an opportunity to join us in our search for these wonderful marine mammals in their natural environment. This event also provides IWDG researchers with a unique snapshot of whale and dolphin activity around the Irish coast on the same day. All watches are land-based and will be led by experienced IWDG researchers, enthusiasts and whale watchers, who will show you how to observe and identify some of the more commonly recorded cetacean species seen in Irish waters.
You should bring binoculars or a spotting scope and dress appropriately for outdoor conditions. There are no boat trips involved, and there is of course no guarantee that you will see whales or dolphins at your chosen site; but at last year’s event whales or dolphins were recorded at 15 of 20 sites (75%). So if the weather is suitable on the day, you’ve quite a good chance of seeing some really interesting marine wildlife, and in the process you’ll be supporting whale and dolphin conservation in Ireland. So if interested please pencil Saturday 27th August into your diary and join us on a local headland. Please contact your local organizer for further details (see below), and if you have a little free time, you may be willing and able to help out on the day by spotting or fielding questions from members of the public.
This annual, all-island event, organized by the IWDG in association with Inis Cologne www.inisfragrance.com, is free and open to all. 
Whale Watch Ireland, will once again be part of Heritage Week and each of of these 20 whale watch events is listed on www.heritagecouncil.ie.
Any media enquiries to:
Pádraig Whooley, IWDG, Phone: 086- 3850568 or email: padraig.whooley@iwdg.ie
Full event details below:
Location Meeting Point Watch Leader Contact
Cloger Hd, Co. Louth Port Oriel Upr Car Park Breffni Martin 087-9145363
Howth Hd., North Dublin, Balscadden Car Park, Conal O’ Flanagan 086 3537900
Killiney Bay, South Dublin, Vico Road, Brian Glanville 087-1390665
Bray Hd., Co. Wicklow, Pitch & putt, Justin Ivory 087-6833898
Hook Hd, Co. Wexford, Lighthouse Harm Deenen 086 3485013
Ardmore, Co. Waterford, Ram Hd Signal tower Andrew Malcolm 087-7952061
Galley Hd., Co. Cork, Lighthouse, Pádraig Whooley 086-3850568
Hog’s Head, Kerry Sea Synergy Ctr., Waterville Lucy Hunt 087-7850929
Valentia Island., Kerry Bray Hd. Signal Tower Sean O’ Callaghan 085-7764918
Clogher Hd. Co. Kerry, Layby, Nick Massett 087-6736341
Loop Hd., Co. Clare, Lighthouse, Simon Berrow 086-8545450
Black Hd, North Clare, Lighthouse, Sandra O’ Donovan 086-6061869
Downpatrick Hd, Co. Mayo, Car Park, Aoife Foley 085 827 6984
Mullaghmore Hd, Co. Sligo, lay-by, Miriam Crowley 087-6171377
Bloody Foreland, Co. Donegal, Heights Bar car park Gareth Doherty 086-2223328
Malin Head, Co. Donegal, Signal Tower, Ronan Mc Laughlin 086-3893154
Ramore Hd, Co. Antrim, Portrush Coastal Zone Jim Allen 078 76516032
Portmuck, Co. Antrim, Car park, Ian Enlander 028-93372724
Bloody Bridge, Co. Down, Car park, Dave Wall 077 71762355