Galway Atlantaquaria – September Newsletter

 Content

 Green Dragon

1. Beach Safari
2. Art Competition
3. New Species in aquarium: Spurdogs and Red band fish
4. World’s Longest Scuba Dive
5. Salthill Arts Festival
6. Congratulations

 
 

GREEN DRAGON

 
The Green Dragon, the Irish entry to the Volvo Ocean Race and which is on display outside the aquarium, will be staying with us for another couple of weeks. If you didn’t get a chance to visit during the school holidays you still have another couple of weeks. It’s fascinating to see how these 11 sailors travelled almost 40,000nm around the world in such cramped, exposed conditions. This is also your last chance to get Green Dragon merchandise which is on sale at the aquarium.

 
OPENING HOURS

 With the Summer Holidays at an end we will close and hour earlier

 Monday – Friday          10.00 am to 5.00 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday       10.00 am to 6.00 p.m.

 
BEACH SAFARI

 After two successful Beach Safari’s over the holidays we have arranged another one in conjunction with the Salthill Community Arts Festival.  The next one will happen on Saturday, 19^th September on Grattan Beach.  Anyone interested should meet at the Lifeguard Station at 11.30 am. This will be followed by a Sandcastle Building Competition and Kite Surfing.

 NEW SPECIES IN AQUARIUM: SPURDOGS AND RED BAND FISH

Thanks to the cooperation of Kevin MacGabhann and Max Couque who run “Galway Bay Fishing” trips, we now have two spurdogs (small sharks!) swimming in our tanks. Spurdogs are endangered due to their slow growth (pregnancy lasts for two years) and overfishing and it is thought that Galway Bay may be a nursery ground. The new arrivals have settled in well and are feeding on mackerel. The other new fish in the aquarium is a red band fish, it is a beautiful red colour but it likes to spend most of its time sitting half in and half out of the burrow it has constructed in the sand of its tank.

 
ART COMPETITION

Also to coincide with the Arts Festival, we are supporting a Children’s Art Competition.

This is open to children up to 12 years of age and titled “The Best of Salthill”.  Drawings, paintings, collages etc should be no bigger than A3 size. Please include name, contact details and age on the back of entries.  The overall winner of the competition will have their entry professionally framed by Davitt Photo & Framing Centre, Salthill.

Closing date is Thursday 17^th September and entries can be dropped of at the aquarium or Salt & Pepper Salthill.

 WORLD’S LONGEST SCUBA DIVE (www.worldslongestscubadive.com)

Two brothers, Declan & Paul Devane will attempt break the Guinness World Record for the longest time spent underwater. Their attempt will take place at Killary Fjord on 10^th/11^th October and they expect to be underwater for 40 hours – the equivalent of a working week!   During the Salthill Arts Festival, Declan will be diving in our Ocean Tank and will have the communication system he will be using during his record attempt.  Visitors will have an opportunity to talk to the divers while they are inside the tank, they will also get to see the equipment Declan & Paul will be using during their attempt.  The challenge is being done in memory of Declan’s 2 year old son Cillian, who passed away earlier this year and we ask you to please come along and support the boys. A percentage of the aquarium takings will be donated to the team for their supporting charities, CD Helping Hands and Beaumont Hospital.

 SALTHILL ARTS FESTIVAL  (www.failtesalthill.com)

 Information on the Salthill Community Arts Festival can be found on the above website.

There is a great line up planned for the week-end of 18^th/19^th/20^th September with live bands on stage outside Seapoint, Art Trail, Busking Competition, Art Displays, Kids Obstacle course, Street Performers, Dancers, Face painters, Story-tellers.  It will be a busy week-end for all the family.

AQUARIUM BABY!

 Finally, congratulations to our Education Officer Dr. Noirin Burke to gave birth to a little girl on Tuesday, September 1^st, Baby Roisin.  Congratulations Noirin & Tony, we look forward to welcoming Roisin to the Aquarium!