To increase awareness of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in Irish waters and promote biological recording of marine megafauna by members of the public and interest groups.
The IWDG will deliver this event independently of other NGOs or agencies, but will collaborate with local rangers from the NPWS and the Heritage Council. This event aims to attract the general public as well as visitors and special interest groups who use the sea as an amenity: anglers, sailers, walkers etc.
Pádraig Whooley is sightings co-ordinator of the IWDG since 1999 and has both written and published extensively on the subject of whales and whale watching in Ireland. Pádraig is also secretary of the IWDG, and has been an independent contractor to the group since 2003. He completed the 2 year diploma in Field Ecology in UCC in 2004.
Timeline: August 22nd, 2010.
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
Contact Details
Name: Pàdraig Whooley
Tel: 023-8838761
Email: padr...@iwdg.ie
Web: www.iwdg.ie
Address: Dereen, Rossmore, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Biodiversity Focus: All local events will be carried out from headlands or well known promontories in inshore coastal waters. Their primary focus will be cetaceans but will also include other marine megafauna groups such as seals, basking sharks, sunfish and turtles. Interpretation offered throughout the event will include field-skills (how to look for cetaceans) as well as raising conservation and welfare issues
Geographic area: This All-Ireland event will provide good geographic coverage at 16 headlands in the following coastal counties. Proposed sites (TBC) are:
- Howth Head, Co. Dublin,
- Bray Head, Co. Wicklow
- Hook Head, Co. Wexford,
- Ram Head, Co. Waterford,
- Galley Head, Co. Cork,
- Beara Peninsula, Co. Cork,
- Valentia Island, Co. Kerry,
- Slea Head, Co. Kerry,
- Loop Head, Co. Clare,
- Black Head, Galway Bay,
- Downpatrick Head, Co. Mayo,
- Mullaghmore Head, Co. Sligo,
- Dunree, Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal,
- Ramore Head, Co. Antrim,
- Portmuck, Co. Antrim,
- Newcastle, Co. Down.
