Wildlife on
The Inishkea Islands – Oilean Inis Cé
Birds – Éan
Oystercatchers – Roilleach
The Oystercatcher is very noisy wading bird with a loud ‘peep-ing’ call. They eat shellfish, particularly cockles and mussels, which it prises open with its strong, flattened bright orange bill.
When to see them? The largest numbers of them can be found on Inishkea between September & March.
Did you know? The oldest oystercatcher ever known lived for 40 years!
Barnacle Geese – Gé ghiúrainn
The Barnacle Goose is a type of goose with a small rounded head and short black bill. They are mainly vegetarian but during the winter they also eat insects & shellfish.
When to see them? The largest numbers of them can be found on Inishkea between September & March, they migrate to Greenland to have their young during summer.
Did you know? It was once thought that barnacle geese hatched out of goose barnacles attached to ships at sea! This belief grew because goose barnacles have black-and-white stripes (like the geese) and the nests of barnacle geese were never seen.
Gannets – Gainead
The Gannet is a large seabird with long, narrow wings. They mainly eat fish including mackerel & herring.
When to see them? The largest numbers of them can be found on Inishkea between September & March, they migrate to Greenland to have their young during summer.
Did you know? Gannets can plunge dive up to 40 metres into the sea by folding their wings back on descent to hit the water in a streamlined shape. They can hit the water at speeds of up to 60mph.
Mammals – Mamaigh
Whales – Míolta Móra
There are many types of whales that can be spotted off Inishkea the most common being minke whales, humpback whales and fin whales. Whales eat plankton, krill and fish such as mackerel. Full grown adults can eat up to four tonnes of food every day.
When to see them? The largest numbers of them can be spotted off Inishkea between March & July.
Did you know? In the early 1900s whales off Inishkea were captured and killed. They were brought to the Inishkea Whaling Station where their blubber would be stripped and turned into oil before being sold.
Dolphins – Deilfeanna
There are many types of dolphins that can be spotted off Inishkea the most common being porpoise dolphins, common dolphins & bottlenose dolphins. Dolphins eat mackerel, jellyfish and shrimp.
When to see them? The largest numbers of dolphins can be spotted on Inishkea between February & August.
Did you know? Dolphins have 2 stomachs, they dive up to 1,000 feet & can live for over 50 years!
How to get to Inishkea.
Check out the “Inishkea Ferry” page to discover the best way to reach this magnificent island!
Inishkea Islands 