Kerry may have won the Sam Maguire, but it isn't enough for one marine visitor. The French bottlenose which has been sighted off the south coast over the past few weeks is now the second dolphin to take up residence on the Aran island of Inis Oírr.
"We must be doing something right," Inis Oírr co-op manager Paddy Crowe says, describing how the two dolphins, named Sandy and Clet, have been frolicking about.
Sandy swam out to the southernmost Aran island from the Clare coast last February and stayed when construction work began on Doolin pier, often following the ferries and other vessels in and out of Inis Oírr’s more tranquil harbour.
Clet, which has gained celebrity status due to its damaged dorsal fin, joined it on Monday evening this week, and both were caught on camera by Inis Oírr teacher Cormac Coyne.
Clet was first sighted in French waters and spent the last few years off south Devon, Cornwall and Wales, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. The mammal moved from the Isles of Scilly to the Irish southwest coast several months ago, being spotted first in west Cork, then in Dingle harbour – home of Fungie – before moving up north via the Skelligs and Valentia island to Galway Bay.
Both dolphins have a reputation for aggressive behaviour, with Clet reportedly pushing a swimmer underwater off Sherkin island in west Cork in July.
Increased interaction with humans, and negative experiences of same, is the main reason for this behavioural change, the group has said. It may have been such an experience that damaged the French dolphin’s fin.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has advised swimmers to keep their distance and has urged people to show respect towards the marine mammals.
“Do not confuse the shape of their jawline with a smile,” it warns. “They can and do cause serious injury to humans and have killed in the past.”
There was little evidence of any aggression between the mammals as the two dolphins played together off Inis Oírr’s beach on Monday evening.
