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Short social videos and rising search interest have put Ireland’s marine wildlife back in the spotlight this summer. Coastal hotspots from Cork to Donegal are recording more sightings, and photographers like Marius Monaghan are helping to show why people are planning trips to see whales, dolphins and basking sharks in Irish waters.
Why interest in whale watching is growing
Search trends tracked by Google indicate a clear increase in queries for whale watching across Ireland in recent years. Social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have amplified the effect, with clips of seals, dolphins and even humpback whales drawing large audiences.
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Cork currently registers the most searches for the activity, while Donegal is emerging as a key location for actual sightings. That combination of online curiosity and stronger on-the-water reports is encouraging more people to plan coastal trips.
Experienced advice: where to go and what to expect
For the best chance of seeing large marine species, local boat trips remain the most reliable option. Monaghan recommends a few operators he uses regularly.
- Dingle Sea Safari (Kerry)
- Kiwi Girl Mullaghmore (Sligo)
- Sliabh Liag Boat Trips (Donegal)
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Still, trips around the Blasket Islands and along the Dingle coast have returned frequent encounters, according to Monaghan. He also advises checking the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s online resources before heading out, so you know what to look for — from spouts and fins to breaching behaviour.
A photographer’s path to marine conservation
Marius Monaghan, born in Tyrone and now based in Kerry, traces his fascination back to a childhood surfing session in Donegal. He was around 13 or 14 when a pod of dolphins appeared beside his board, an encounter he remembers vividly.
Monaghan’s work mixes adventure travel content with conservation. As a volunteer with Seal Rescue Ireland, he helps collect and transport injured seals to rehabilitation facilities. He says sharing footage of rescues is a powerful way to raise awareness and recruit volunteers.
One memorable shore sighting came at Dunquin Pier in Dingle, where three basking sharks swam within metres of the cliffs at sunset. Moments like that, he says, illustrate how close and accessible large marine life can be around Ireland’s coast.
Practical tips for shore-based spotting
When you can’t join a boat, a calm day on a headland with good visibility improves your chances. Use binoculars or a spotting scope and scan for telltale signs: a vertical column of spray when a whale breathes, or large flocks of seabirds circling a feeding patch.
Monaghan notes that unusually large pods of dolphins — fifty or more animals — often indicate that larger predators or prey are present nearby.
What to do if you find a stranded whale
In August 2020, Monaghan filmed what became the largest live stranding in Irish history: a pod of seven to eight Northern Bottlenose whales that came ashore about 2km north of Rossnowlagh main beach. Rescue efforts by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) followed, but the whales did not survive.
If you encounter a live stranding, contact the IWDG stranding hotline at +353 86 8545450 or email strandings@iwdg.ie. Report the precise location, time and, if possible, photographs to help specialists identify the species and assess the situation.
For general sightings, identification help and advice on forming local watch groups, see the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group website at IWDG.ie. Their resources include a public sightings log that lists recent reports around the coast and guidance on responsible watching and stranding response.
