Marine ecology: You don't have to go to Patagonia to see a whale, writes Lorna Siggins, just try one of the headlands around the coast on Whale Watch Day on Sunday.
Life can be tough for those hardy individuals who go to the sea to watch for whales. Padraig Whooley couldn't believe it when he took a group of enthusiasts out on their first whale-watching course on Cape Clear island off Cork just a week ago.
"We are standing there and a pod of killer whales swims by, just like that," Mr Whooley says. "These are people who have hardly seen a seal before, never mind a harbour porpoise and they get so lucky. I had to go to Vancouver to see my first killer and then to Patagonia for the second."
Mr Whooley is the enthusiastic secretary of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, a voluntary group which is dedicated to the conservation and better understanding of cetaceans - that is whales, dolphins and porpoises - in Irish waters. It has been active for the last 11 years, during which Ireland was declared a sanctuary and runs an island-wide sighting and stranding scheme which monitors movements of the mammals around this coast.
The significance of this coastline in terms of cetacean activity is reflected in the group's records. Since 1991, it has received over 3,000 sighting reports of 24 species, ranging from the frequently seen harbour porpoise to massive 70- to 80-feet fin whales - the second largest creatures on earth after the blue whale. Recently, as this newspaper reported, a humpback whale was sighted and photographed by the whale and dolphin group and retired fishing skipper, Mr Joe Aston, off the Waterford coast.
This Sunday afternoon, it is inviting both members and the general public to become involved in Whale Watch Day. This annual event is being held simultaneously - or as near to as weather permits - on nine headlands extending from the Old Head of Kinsale in Cork to Portmuck at Islandmagee in Co Antrim.
Dr Simon Berrow, chairman of the group, says it is more than a fun event. "People in Ireland can make a real contribution to the conservation and welfare of cetaceans in Irish waters by reporting sightings to the group," he says. This helps to build the knowledge base and understanding of such activity in this rich coastal environment.
The whale and dolphin group will have experienced personnel on hand to field questions and provide tips on how to whale watch. Wet weather gear and binoculars are the only items required, running time is 2-5 p.m.
WHERE TO SEE THE WHALES
Old Head Kinsale, Cork Golf Course gates Padraig Whooley 021-431 5723
Clogher Head, Kerry Blasket Island Centre Mick O'Connell 064-24934
Loop Head, Clare lighthouse car park Simon Berrow 086-854 5450
Downpatrick Head, Mayo car park Tony Murray 087-647 9926
Ramore Head, Antrim Portrush Countryside Centre Jim Allen 028-703 47282
Portmuck, Antrim, Portmuck car park at 10 a.m. Ian Enlander 028-93372724
Howth Head, Dublin, Balscadden car park Dave Wall 087-297 7931
Bray Head, Wicklow Aquarium, sea front Nick Channon 01-860 0586
Hook Head, Wexford Hook lighthouse Faith Wilson 087-637 7328
For more information, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group's website, which includes a database on sightings, is at www.iwdg.ie
