First sighting of blue whales in waters off Blaskets

THE first validated sightings of the world’s largest mammal have been made in Irish waters.

Sightings of blue whales — which can grow up to 110ft long and weigh nearly 200 tonnes — have been made near the Blasket Islands, off Co Kerry.

Pictures of the two leviathans were taken by Irish Whale & Dolphin Group member Ivan O’Kelly, who was onboard a Kerry Marine Tours boat, which had been tracking fin whales 97km north-west of the Blasket Islands.