Concern is growing over three bottlenose dolphins observed in the  Ralty River, near Durty Nellies pub, Bunratty. The dolphins, which were first observed in the shallow creek on Sunday 31/03/2013. “The group remain in apparently good condition with no obvious signs of distress,” said the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group today…..

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has opened up a research charter scheduled for tomorrow morning to non-members. The formerly “members only” research trip is hoping to find and photograph the humpback whale confirmed in the area yesterday afternoon, and is scheduled to leave Reen Pier, Union Hall, West….

A new humpback whale for Ireland was spotted just off the coast of West Cork yesterday (Mon 18/03). Micheal Cottrel, owner of Baltimore Sea Safari confirmed the humpback sighting, and photographs obtained by Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) members Simon Duggan and Youen Yacob allowed the IWDG to confirm….

A report from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group has confirmed that eight (8) dead common dolphins Delphinus delphis have been discovered washed up on the beaches of Achill Island, Co. Mayo over recent days, with unconfirmed reports of at least another one dolphin on a nearby island. “The IWDG don’t….

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has highlighted the world class whale watching opportunities at several sites along the Irish south coast at the moment, with significant large whale activity reported from Co. Kerry east to Co. Waterford. The nucleus of this activity is currently centred off the coast….

Of the 24 species of whales and dolphins found in Irish waters perhaps the best known is the familiar bottlenose dolphin made famous in the ‘60s television show, Flipper. Almost all of the dolphin stars of film and television over the years, and the captive performing dolphins in theme parks….

Two blue whales cruise the waters 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland’s south coast The Irish Air Corps captured some phenomenal images last week when they encountered fin whales and two incredibly rare blue whales in Irish waters near the continental shelf edge about 80-100 nautical miles off Ireland’s south coast…..

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s (IWDG) recently relaunched research vessel the RV Celtic Mist has recorded an impressive 11 cetacean species on its maiden research and training voyage, including the elusive blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). Setting sail from Dingle in County Kerry on Monday 03 September, the Celtic Mist headed….

I was getting settled at my desk yesterday morning, pondering what to write for my Irish Independent wildlife column, when the phone beeped. It was a message from Padraig Whooley, sightings coordinator with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, telling me that a suspected fin whale had live-stranded in Baltimore,….

Places are still available on the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s summer whale-watching course on Cape Clear, 20-22 July 2012. I had the great pleasure of attending the course in May… and while conditions dictated that cetacean pickings were a tad slim over that weekend, it was a thoroughly enjoyable….

On the 21st anniversary of the declaration of Irish waters as Europe’s first Whale and Dolphin sanctuary, The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has announced a campaign to extend that status to all European waters. On 07 June 1991 then Taoiseach Charles Haughey declared Ireland a Whale and Dolphin….

It was a glorious morning on Toe Head in West Cork. The sun was shining, and the April breeze, while still a bit keen, wasn’t at all uncomfortable. At my feet was a stunning vista spanning from Galley Head to the east all the way around to the Fastnet Rock….