Wild Ireland: Rediscover your love for this beautiful island

Tom Breathnach tracks some of our island’s diverse native wildlife and where to best spot them 

Seal watching on Kenmare Bay, Co Kerry. Photo: Brian Morrison

Whales 

Who needs Alaska? Ireland’s waters are now haven to a growing numbers of Special Areas of Conservation and a whale-watching excursion to these protected habitats makes for thrilling way to experience the cetaceans in their summer habitat. Several species make Ireland a seasonal home with minke whales typically arriving earliest in spring and fin and humpbacks whales arriving a few months later in their wake. You’ll often need still waters, patience and a sharp eye to spot the mammals: a dorsal fin panning through the waters is a typical sighting but it’s not unheard of to experience spectacular breaching scenes from humpbacks too. The Rebel County has the most established excursion industry with Whale Watch West Cork, Atlantic Whale & Wildlife Watch and Cork Whale Watch just some of the main operators. As with all wildlife tours, measure your expectations and consider dolphin, seal and porpoise sightings a very likely bonus.