Here's where you might spot a whale following sightings in Kerry and Donegal

'Why all of a sudden does a whale from a population that lives between Florida and the Gulf of Maine turn up in Donegal Bay? It’s a beautiful mystery'

Whales have been spotted along the coast of Ireland recently. Picture: AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Planning a trip to the coast? You could be lucky enough to spot a rare whale if you’re heading north-west.

On Monday evening, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s (IWDG) sighting officer, Pádraig Whooley, received a video showing a large whale tail. No stranger to false alarms and disinformation in regard to sightings, he was sceptical at first that the video could have been taken elsewhere in the world.

The backdrop showed what looked to be similar to that of the north coast of Donegal bay, near Sliabh Liag. After he ruled the accents of those in the video to be Northern Irish, the next task was to rule out the usual suspects of species found in that area — humpback, minke, fin and sei whales.

The whale on the footage did not appear to be any of these for one reason or another and, when further reports and clips came in, IWDG could narrow it down to one of two species. After consulting with colleagues home and abroad, it could be concluded that this was a North Atlantic Right whale.

Breaking news! Sighting reports sent to IWDG July 15th in Donegal Bay confirm exceptionally rare record of a North Atlantic Right whale for the North East Atlantic, and a 1st for the IWDG with supporting photo evidence. Full story 👉https://t.co/Vp7twaufIB #MPAs #DonegalBay pic.twitter.com/jrNa32Ul94

— Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (@IWDGnews) July 16, 2024

This type of whale had never been spotted in the 35 years IWDG has been monitoring Irish waters and is functionally extinct. It is found along the east coast of the United States and there are fewer than 450 left. It’s “quite likely”, Whooley says, that North Atlantic Right whales won’t exist in the next 50-100 years.

“To have one turn up in Donegal Bay is incredible. Certainly in the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, it’s the first time in over 30 years that we have got photographic evidence,” he says.

The reason the whale travelled this far is unknown. “Why all of a sudden does a whale from a population that lives between Florida and the Gulf of Maine and that stretch of the Canadian Maritimes turn up in Donegal Bay? It’s a beautiful mystery and I’m afraid it’s a mystery to which we can’t give you an answer.” 

In terms of the south of the country, he says that sightings are relatively average and, if anything, they have been “marginally down” — but he points to the weather for possibly compounding this and making it harder for people to spot the animals.

The likes of minke and humpback whales have been turning up in Kerry, with social media users sharing footage online, as well as common dolphins. In particular, the area around the Blaskets and Dingle are a "hotspot".

"It’s a great opportunity for people to get out on responsible whale watching boats to head up on to the headlands with a pair of binoculars or a telescope and a flask of tea and a round of sandwiches and try and see these wonderful animals for yourself."

H U M P B A C K W H A L E S 🐋

Another amazing encounter on our tour yesterday when we saw the return of the Humpbacks in Dingle Bay 🐋🩵#greatblasketisland #ireland #dingle #whales #humpbackwhale #discoverireland #exploreireland #travel #blasketislands pic.twitter.com/dkUb0h0QxT

— Great Blasket Island (@gbisland) July 15, 2024

If people want to go out and see the rare North Atlantic Right whale, Whooley says: “We ask members of the public to respect the fact that this isn’t a minke whale or humpback whale. This is a species that is quite close to the edge of its existence.

“We would ask people that if you are out on boats and you are fortunate enough to see it to give it space and just let it be. Sometimes there are more important things out there than your selfie.” 

Sightings can be reported to the IWDG on their website.