Clare IWDG

25/10/2026

21/10/2026

02/09/2026

https://clarechampion.ie/dna-shows-fungie-was-a-clare-dolphin-and-dusty-is-from-the-deep-sea/

Groundbreaking new research has revealed that Fungie was a Clare dolphin. The famous Kerry based dolphin, who is presumed to have passed away in October of 2020, was the product of a coupling between a dolphin from the Shannon Estuary and a dolphin from Ireland’s offshore population. The Shannon E...

19/08/2026

Great afternoon beachcombing with Liam McNamara of Burren Shores - Beachcombing & more in partnership with BannerGleo

We found two flapper skate eggcases and seven lesser-spotted dogfish, vertebrae from a long-finned pilot whale and a basking shark.

We found By-the-Wind Sailor, skulls of gannets, shags and guillemot, octopus pots from the Mediterranean, shot gun pellets and lobster tags from Canada all carried to the beach at Cregg, Lahinch.

Inspired by Liam we tried to capture nice images of our finds with barbie taking pride of place....

All elasmobranch records were sent to Marine Dimensions & Purse Search Ireland.

This event was part of our Building a Strategic Marine Alliance project funded through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund administered by Clare County Council and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and .

17/08/2026

ESTUARY WATCH 2026.
COME WATCH THE SHANNON DOLPHINS!

Join us on Saturday 22 August, from 1–3pm, at watchpoints on both sides of the Shannon Estuary.

At 1:30pm, all locations will take part in a simultaneous one-hour watch, recording sightings to help build a snapshot of their distribution and activity across the estuary.

No booking required, just choose a watchpoint and come along. Bring binoculars if you have them, dress for the outdoors, and keep your eyes on the water!

Find all the details and watchpoint information here:
https://iwdg.ie/estuary-watch-2026/

Heritage Week
The Heritage Council

10/08/2026

Next Monday 17th August the last event under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage LBAF funded Building a Strategic Marine Alliance takes place at Cregg beach, Lahinch at 3pm with Burren Shores - Beachcombing & more founder Liam McNamara.

All welcome to beachcomb with someone who has delighted us with his finds and images for years.

Meet at Lahinch Cliff top carpark at 3pm
Free event, children encouraged

27/07/2026

Two more flapper skate egg cases found on the storm beach just north of Spanish Point.

These are the fourth or fifth eggcases from this endangered skate species found here over the last two summers as part of our Building a Strategic Marine Alliance project in collaboration with BannerGleo and funded by the Local Biodiversity Action Fund through Clare County Council and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Surely we need dedicated surveys to identify the pupping areas for this species. They typically lay their eggs in cold, deep coastal and shelf waters.

Females deposit large leathery egg cases on sandy, muddy, or mixed-seafloor habitats, where incubation takes over a year.

If we are serious about protecting our most vulnerable marine species we need to invest in the surveys to inform planners when identifying areas for MPA status. Surely the Marine Institute or UCC can be given the resources to find these breeding and pupping areas.

All records sent to Marine Dimensions & Purse Search Ireland

26/07/2026

Great success searching for mermaids purses or shark and ray eggcases Kilmacreedy beach at Liscannor in partnership with BannerGleo

Undulate and Spotted Ray found as well as Lesser and Greater dogfish. Seems Luscannor Bay may be an important pupping area.

All records sent to Marine Dimensions & Purse Search Ireland

This event was part of our Building a Strategic Marine Alliance project funded through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund administered by Clare County Council and .

12/07/2026

Join us at 10:30 on Kilmacreedy beach, Liscannor Bay on Tuesday 14 July for a search for mermaids purse which are actually the egg cases of sharks, skates and rays (see Marine Dimensions & Purse Search Ireland).

Its free and supported by through Clare County Council Local Biodiversity Action Fund in collaboration with BannerGleo.

Please do book on so we can manage numbers

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/purse-search-for-world-shark-day-tickets-1989780515084?aff=ebdsoporgprofile