Residential IWDG Weekend Whale Watching & Species ID Course in West Cork
- Ages 18+
Join IWDG for a fun weekend, learning all about whales and whale watching, during a series of talks and whale watches from land and sea.
Date and time
Location
CECAS, Myross Wood House, Leap, Co. Cork, P81 Y192
Myross Wood House Leap IrelandRefund Policy
Agenda
4:00 PM
Rough Itinerary (as weather dependent we have to be flexible)
Padraig Whooley
About this event
- Event lasts 1 day 20 hours
- Ages 18+
- Free venue parking
Introduction
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 2025. In taking part, you will also be actively supporting whale and dolphin conservation and research in Ireland.
Our 2025 residential weekends are once again based at the CECAS centre in Leap 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.
Course content
Participants will attend a series of engaging 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 hr boat trip with our partners at Cape Clear Ferries, departing from Baltimore, when we’ll survey for large whales in the productive offshore area beyond Cape Clear Island. This boat trip is subject to weather and can be paid for on the day (€50 pp).
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 coastal 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. Of course, if you live locally or are on holidays in the area, then you won’t need accommodation, which is not a problem.
How to book
This is a 2-step process
- You first need to book the course with IWDG here on Eventbrite
- Now book your accommodation & meals at CECAS by contacting Klaudyna on email admin@greenskibbereen.ie
Course fee per person is as follows:
Places are secured on receipt of course fee payable to IWDG on this Eventbrite link. Full refunds will be given in the event of IWDG cancelling your course or if for health reasons you can't attend, giving us 48 hrs notice. Please note we will not cancel the course due to a poor weather outlook. We can still deliver the course; only more of it will be indoors. Some of our most enjoyable weekends have been held during truly atrocious weather!
If you wish to stay residentially at CECAS, once your place(s) are booked secured with IWDG (step 1), you should contact Klaudyna @ CECAS, email admin@greenskibbereen.ie to book your accommodation/meals (step 2). Remember, rooms are limited and available on a first come first served basis. CECAS will send you a fund request once you book with them for their fee, which are outlined below.
Course fee payable to IWDG via Eventbrite (link below)
Member (Incl. tuition, watches, materials, use of facilities & lunch on Sat.) = €100
or
Non-member (as above PLUS 1 year IWDG membership = €135
Accommodation & food to CECAS
Eg: Single room (2 nights), breakfast x2 & evening meal x1 on Saturday) €149
See full list of room type prices below
Optional (but recommended)
Whale Watch boat trip Saturday, pay operator on day (Weather Permitting) €50
Non-Residents who opt for evening meal on Sat. can settle with IWDG on day €28
Room options & prices per room (inclusive of VAT) based on a 2 nights are:
- 14 x Single rooms (max. 1 person) €100
- 6 x Twin rooms (max 2 ppl, 2x single beds) €126
- 4 x Double rooms en suite (2 ppl, double bed) €170
- 1 x Triple room en suite (suitable 3 ppl) €194
- 1 x Family room en suite (suitable 4 ppl) €218
Food prices, inclusive of VAT, per person (vegetarian options provided on all meals)
- Breakfast x2 @ €10.50 (Sat. & Sun.) €21
- Evening meal x1 (Saturday only) €26
Please note there will be no food available at CECAS on Fridays. So don’t arrive hungry!
Enquiries or further details, email padraig.whooley@iwdg.ie , Ph. 00 353 (0)86 3850568
Tickets
Whale Watching Weekend Course (IWDG Member)
0€100.00+€8.23 FeeWhale Watching Weekend Course (Non Member)
0€135.00+€10.77 Fee
Frequently asked questions
From Cork City you should take the bus in direction of Skibbereen, getting off in Leap Village. When you get off the bus keep walking in the direction the bus was travelling (west) for c. 4-5 minutes, and with the estuary on your left, enter at the entrance at Mission of the Sacred Heart arch.
There are no hard and fast rules for these courses, but they are aimed primarily at an adult audience. The presenter will touch on topics that may be a tad unpleasant, or concepts difficult to grasp for a younger audience and he has a certain "delivery style" that could be described as colourful!
The ethos of CECAS is one of sustainability and so all meals will be largely vegetarian, with a meat option for the evening meal. But suffice it to say that feedback we’ve received over the past 3 yrs has been very positive, both in terms of the quality or quantity. Good food is a West Cork thing!
No. But this shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether you attend, as there is a big distinction between a whale watching weekend and a course. The timing & location of our courses are however aimed at giving you the best chance of an encounter. And we almost always have memorable encounters.
While not essential, they are recommended. You should bring a pair of binoculars with which you are familiar. Better again if you have a wildlife spotting scope. Optics are critical for any sort of wildlife observation work, especially when subjects are likely to be distant and briefly visible.
If your pet is a service or a working dog, then YES. Otherwise it’s a NO. There are aspects of these weekends, such as the 4 hr pelagic boat trip and healdland watches that your pooch may not enjoy. So please make alternative arrangements for your pet in good time.