Solstice the turtle is going home after washing up here... 3,000 miles off-course

The rare green sea turtle was cold and had suffered bites from a seal or shark when she was found washed up in County Clare at Christmas. Now she's in good health and she's heading for the warm waters of Gran Canaria

Checking in: Solstice, the green sea turtle, with marine biologist Maria Foley from Dingle Oceanworld and Aer Lingus cabin crew Ella Walsh

A green sea turtle might usually swim at speeds of up to six miles an hour so young Solstice is getting a bit of a boost on her journey from Ireland to the warmer waters of the Canaries.  She has just headed off on flight EI782 this afternoon from Dublin to Gran Canaria courtesy of Aer Lingus.

After being discovered washed up on the west coast of Ireland, Solstice is heading back to her natural habitat.

Solstice the rare green sea turtle was found cold and weak on a Clare beach by Emma on Christmas Eve, after being swept 3,000 miles off-course by Atlantic currents. Picture: Bev from Hogsprickle

On Christmas Eve 2024, a volunteer from Hogsprickle Rescue in County Clare discovered the young green sea turtle stranded on the coast. They acted quickly and reached out to the expert team at Dingle Oceanworld, who determined that the turtle was suffering from pneumonia and meningitis, likely brought on by the shock of the cold Atlantic waters. Further inspection revealed bite marks on the turtle’s shell — likely inflicted by a seal or shark.

• Click here to find out what to do if you spot a turtle washed up on an Irish beach

Thanks to the swift actions of the rescuers, Solstice was given the best chance of recovery. She has spent the last five months undergoing extensive treatment to return to full health.

A happy goodbye to Solstice the green sea turtle. Pictures: Oceanworld Aquarium Dingle

Now, the turtle — who weighs three kilos and measures 30 centimetres in length — is finally ready to return home. After getting a clean bill of health, the team at Dingle Oceanworld reached out to Aer Lingus to make plans to return Solstice to warmer waters.

In advance of today's flight to Gran Canaria, Aer Lingus chief technical pilot, Captain Conor Barrett, aided by colleagues in ground ops, maintenance, and flight operations, worked closely with the team at Dingle Oceanworld to carefully plan for Solstice’s journey home. From custom transport containers to on-board environmental controls, every precaution was taken to ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort during the flight.

Solstice the green sea turtle recuperating at Oceanworld Aquarium Dingle

Once she touches down in Gran Canaria at around 8pm this evening, an official from Tarifa Wildlife Recovery Centre will be on hand to begin her re-adaptation to her environment, with the goal of releasing her back into the wild.

Kevin Flannery, Dingle Oceanworld director, said: “Solstice is a real survivor and has shown real resilience to overcome both pneumonia and meningitis. We estimate that Solstice is 5-8 years old — which is very young given that green sea turtles live up to 90 years. Given her long potential lifespan, it was crucial that we did everything possible to return her to her native waters, ensuring she has the best chance to thrive and contribute to the health of the sea turtle population.”

Marine biologist Jack Shea Stokes from Dingle Oceanworld and Aer Lingus cabin crew Ella Walsh checking Solstice onto Aer Lingus flight EI782 to Gran Canaria at Dublin Airport

Donal Moriarty, Aer Lingus chief corporate affairs officer, said: “Aer Lingus is proud to support the team at Dingle Oceanworld in their remarkable efforts to give Solstice a second chance. Every measure has been taken to ensure Solstice’s safety and comfort as she travels with Aer Lingus to Gran Canaria. Solstice has her own assigned seat, right next to her carer, and a specially designed container that has been fitted safely by our engineering team to ensure a smooth journey. Green sea turtles are an endangered species and this vital conservation effort provides Solstice with the opportunity to recover and flourish, helping to safeguard the future of her species.”

This is not the first, or even second time Aer Lingus has worked with local rescue teams to help a lost sea turtle find its way home. Loggerhead turtle Julius Caesar, affectionately known as ‘JC’, was reunited with his native land in 2021, and before that 'Leona' another loggerhead turtle, was transported back to Gran Canaria in 2014.