The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), in collaboration with Fair Seas, is visiting West Cork - the home of whale watching in Ireland next week.

The Local Groups Roadshow will take place at Myross Wood House in Leap on Wednesday, March 25th, as part of a series of free, in-person evening events in coastal towns around Ireland.

The roadshow aims to connect coastal communities and local members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group with the latest developments in marine conservation, marine protected areas (MPAs), and the future of Ireland’s seas.

The roadshows have already visited Donegal, Dublin, Wicklow, Mayo, Sligo, Galway and Clare.

Fair Seas is a coalition of environmental organisations and networks campaigning to secure a science-led network of effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Irish waters.

Eva Lambert, Marine Policy and Advocacy Officer with the IWDG said, “We have local IWDG groups right around the country and each one is playing an important role. Citizen science is at the heart of everything we do, without people sharing what they see on our coasts, we simply wouldn’t have the data we need to understand and protect Ireland’s whales, dolphins and seas.”

Each stop provides an opportunity for local communities to:

Connect with IWDG and Fair Seas representatives directly

Learn more about Ireland’s marine wildlife and habitats

Understand current and proposed Marine Protected Areas

Hear about national marine policy developments in clear, accessible terms

Ask questions and share local knowledge and concerns

Celebrate IWDG’s local groups and inaugurate a new flag for each group

The afternoon will include short presentations from IWDG and Fair Seas, guest speakers, a short film screening, followed by an open discussion with attendees.