Seasons Greetings!
It's been good year for Galway Atlantaquaria, given the uncertainties in the economy we continued to rise to the various challenges set to us.
What did we do in 2009?
The arrival of the Volvo Ocean Race earlier in the year gave everyone a great boost and we were delighted to assist in the Schools Programme which brought up to 10,000 school children to the Race Village where we were in attendance with our Explorers partners, the Marine Institute and Environmental Change Institute (NUIG) to showcase our Education Programme. Prior to the arrival we organised the Big Bay Clean up when over 200 volunteers assisted in cleaning the beaches from Oranmore to Silverstrand. During the race we also entertained the children of the VOR sailors where they enjoyed a trip to the aquarium and a beach safari.
Aside from this we…………….
· celebrated World Ocean Day in June with a Family Fun Day
· brought the Green Dragon back to Salthill
· held our successful Science4Summer Camps
· brought over 200 people to our Beach Safaris
· continued the successful Explorers Programme with the Marine Institute
· exhibited at the Native Species Week-end at Dublin Zoo
· appeared on RTE’s Seoige programme plus Living the Wildlife
· and TG4’s Culá4 agus An Nuacht
· interviewed with Keith Finnegan on Galway Bay FM
· hosted 60 children from Chernobyl
· passed our Zoo Licence Inspection
· promoted the Conservation of Sharks during International Shark Week
· held a K’Nex Challenge as part of Engineered ‘Week of Wonder’
· took part in Showcase Galway, Fisheries Week & Galway Culture Night
· hosted Kellogg’s for the Round Ireland Cycle Race
· we Twittered and Facebooked
· hosted events for the Failte Salthill Festival
· we laughed with Hector Ó hEochagáin SCUBA diving in our Ocean Tank
· two brothers raised money for their charities as part of the World’s Longest Scuba Dive
· placed 26 Fish Tanks in Galway Schools as part of our Explorers Programme
· celebrated National Science Week with a Family Fun Day
· exhibited at the Galway Science & Technology Festival and………
· welcomed two new Staff babies; Roisin and Szymon
On the Education front, we were thrilled to be awarded with two commendations from BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) for our work on the Explorers Education Programme and also our conservations efforts; specifically our work with Beach Safaris and Beach Clean-up’s. It’s a great honour for us and an acknowledgement of our efforts especially given that it our first year with BIAZA.
We are very proud of the impact our exhibits and education and conservation programmes are having on young people. Thousands of children who grew up with the Aquarium are now actively involved in protecting the oceans; we will continue to carry out this work and thank you all for your support.
Fishy News
Santa came early this year with the arrival of baby cuttlefish and octopus to the aquarium. They are all settling in and enjoying their new home. The octopus are busy learning how to open jam jars to get their dinner while the cuttlefish like to squirt ink as they swim around the tank.
Christmas Opening
We will close the week prior to Christmas and re-open on Sunday 27th of December. We are then open 7 days a week from 10.00 am to 5.00 p.m. until Sunday January 10th.
2010 will be our 10th year in operation and we are planning some great events. None of this would be possible without your support and we look forward to welcoming you in 2010.
Wishing you and your families a peaceful and happy Christmas and every success for 2010.
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise
Liam Twomey & Staff of Galway Atlantaquaria.
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And
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