Project Description

The Shannon Dolphins, a group of over 100 Bottlenose Dolphins which is permanently resident in the Shannon Estuary, is one of the foremost and unique attractions and a major nature tourism asset for the Loop Head Peninsula.

To date Kilrush is most strongly associated with the Shannon Dolphins. The town is noted as the Gateway to the Shannon Dolphins and features a Dolphin Trail and the Shannon Dolphin & Wildlife Visitor Centre.

On the Loop Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt has been running dolphin-watch tours out of Carrigaholt for over 20 years as well as supporting dolphin research. Carrigaholt Bay, Kilcredaun and Loop Head are the best places along the estuary to see these animals from land. Nevertheless there is little to showcase the presence of these animals on the Loop Head Peninsula.

This project envisages celebrating the Shannon Dolphins with a monument which would be part of the Loop Head Peninsula Discovery Way. The monument would be developed, designed and produced locally by the community including the Loop Head National Schools. A central location, e.g. Carrigaholt Square would be desirable and a plaque or panel describing the natural history of the Shannon Dolphins and the heritage of dolphin-watching on the peninsula could be created to stand alongside the monument.

Project Justification & Objectives

The Shannon Dolphins Monument would be a major Point of Interest (POI) on the Loop Head Peninsula Discovery Way. It would attract visitors and provide important information on the Shannon Dolphins and the history of dolphin-watching on the peninsula.

The Shannon Dolphins Monument would put the Shannon Dolphins deservedly into the centre of attention and so support nature tourism businesses in the area and create new business opportunities.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• CDA

• Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt

• Carrigaholt Community

• Loop Head Community

• Loop Head Tourism

• Loop Head Together

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!