Residential Weekend Whale Watching & Identification Course in West Cork

Venue: CECAS, Centre of Excellence for Climate Action & Sustainability

Where: Myross Wood House, Leap, Co. Cork, P81 Y192

Dates: May 24-26th or September 20-22nd, 2024

Looking for a weekend with a difference? Why not join the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) www.iwdg.ie, Ireland’s leading marine conservation NGO, on a weekend whale-watching course in West Cork during summer 2024. By taking part you will also be actively supporting whale and dolphin conservation and research in Ireland.

Our 2024 residential weekends are once again based at the CECAS centre, Leap, West Cork www.cecas.ie, and combine a relaxed learning experience at this former religious retreat, providing a unique opportunity to learn more about the 26 species of cetaceans that can be found in Irish waters. Your course facilitator and guide will be IWDG Sighting Officer, Pádraig Whooley, who has delivered similar weekend courses since 2002. Suitable from ages of 18 years upwards, our courses cater for all levels of interest, from the complete novice to the wildlife enthusiast who’d like to learn more about Ireland’s whales and dolphins, how to find and identify them, IWDG’s recording schemes and how you, as Citizen Scientists, can contribute to their conservation, as well as the latest research

Participants are expected to attend a series of indoor presentations and guided land-based watches, during which you will learn the field-skills required to observe, identify and record these magnificent marine mammals. Incorporated into the weekend will be a 4-5hr boat trip with our partners at Cape Clear Ferries, departing from Baltimore, when we’ll survey for large whales in the productive offshore area known as the “Deep Hole” to the south east of Cape Clear Island. Boat trip is subject to weather and can be paid for on the day. The mix of indoor and outdoor activities will be determined largely by the weather over the weekend.

The venue

These weekends are essentially residential and based at the CECAS Centre near Leap village, west Cork. We envisage most participants booking this accommodation, which comprises a range of affordable and comfortable room options, some of which are En Suite. Set among 30 acres of woodland overlooking Glandore Harbour in the heart of West Cork, this historic former retreat is a peaceful, unique and magical place for tranquility, nature and relaxation, and is also convenient for the towns of Clonakilty, Rosscarbery Leap, Glandore, Union Hall and Skibbereen. A great base for exploring this wonderful area on land or by sea. Of course, if you live locally or are on holidays in the area, then you won’t need accommodation, which is not a problem. The course fee payable to IWDG includes lunch on Saturday and use of the facilities at CECAS.

Costs per person are as follows:

Course fee payable to IWDG via Eventbrite

IWDG Member (Incl. tuition, guided land watches, materials & lunch Sat.) = €100

Non-member (as above, PLUS 1 year membership of IWDG) = €130

Residential (Accommodation & food) payable to CECAS

Eg: Single room 2 nights, breakfast x2, with evening meal Sat. x1) = €127.50 pp