Galway Atlantaquaria Newsletter – May 2010  

MARINE MONTH OF MADNESS.

Hi All,

We’re well into our Marine Month of Madness here in Galway which kicked off with a very successful Beach Safari on Grattan Beach last week, thankfully the rain stayed away.  The first of our weekly seminars at the aquarium took place last Wednesday with Conor Ryan from the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group who gave a presentation on Baleen Whales.  We have lots more great events during the month leading up to World Ocean Day which we will celebrate at the aquarium on Sunday May 30^th with the return of the spectacular Bjorn the Polar Bear! 

Talks/Presentations

We have a series of talks/presentations taking place at the aquarium each Wednesday for the month of May.  These are free events and numbers are limited. Places should be booked in advance with Dr Sarah Knight, sarah.knight@nuigalway.ie

The Truth About Slimy Seaweed (like they're not all slimy!). Wednesday, 12^th May. 7.00 pm Galway Atlantaquaria

Interactive workshop with Dr. Maeve Edwards, with NUI Galway's Carna Research Station. This workshop is your chance to learn more about Irish seaweeds (even the slimy ones!), get creative with seaweed pictures, learn to recognise edible seaweeds and even make your own sushi ‘nori’ sheets and eat samples on the night! ... You’ll love seaweed by the time Maeve is done with you!

Pirates! The First Entrepreneurs. Wednesday, 19^th May. 7.00 pm Galway Atlantaquaria

A talk with Brian MacGabhann, co-founder of the Renmore History Society, who says " In many ways the spirit and mind-set that motivated and guided early pirates is not too dissimilar from that which influences those operating in the ruthless world of business today. Whether with cutlass or fountain pen, men were driven by the imperatives of profit and plunder. This talk looks at the golden era of piracy; the high seas, the Spanish Main, pieces of eight, and will suggest that the real story of pirates may have been even more bizarre and dramatic than the Hollywood version we are familiar with."

Why, Where, and How to Learn and Play in Galway Bay. Wednesday, 26^th May. 7.00 pm Galway Atlantaquaria

In these technological times, people often forget how much fun being outside can be! In this talk Emma McGroarty, a Chief Instructor with Bow Waves Galway Sailing & Powerboat School, will discuss the values and benefits of Outdoor Education for young people and what activities the coastline in Galway has to offer.

TRY DIVES

Ever wanted to learn to Scuba Dive? Now is your chance! Charlie Brehony from the Galway Dive School has organised lessons for 8+ years. Mon-Thurs & Sat-Sun from 2pm to 5pm and 6.30pm to 8.30 pm Palmers Rock, Salthill.   Charges Applicable. Enquiries to Helena – 0879569771.  Booking Essential

BIG BAY BEACH CLEAN

Galway City Council and Galway Atlantaquaria have teamed up to organise THE BIG BAY CLEAN UP! We have 8 beaches lined up and need as many volunteers as possible. We reckon this could be the biggest coastal area clean-up in Ireland!

Rinville

Lough Atalia
Ballyloughane
Claddagh
Grattan Beach
Salthill Beaches

Rusheen
Silverstrand, Barna
 

If you are interested in volunteering please meet at the your chosen beach at 12 noon on Sunday 16^th May. Bags, Gloves, Pickers etc. will be supplied by Galway City Council.

FISHERIES AWARENESS WEEK IN THE WEST 22^nd – 29^th May

Want to learn how to fish? Or have you rods lying around in the shed and maybe you feel like taking it up again?

Go along to one of the events during Fisheries Awareness Week and get involved again.
Beach fishing, hatchery tours, river walks, coarse angling, boat trips, open days, fly casting and fly tying demonstrations..., plenty of events and fun for all the family.  Check out www.faw.ie 

WORLD OCEAN DAY –  THE RETURN OF BJORN THE POLAR BEAR!  GALWAY ATLANTAQUARIA – MAY 30^th

Our World Ocean Day celebrations takes place on Sunday May 30^th at the aquarium with the return of the spectacular Bjorn the Polar Bear! An incredibly realistic life-size adult male Polar Bear, Bjorn is playful and mischievous but huggable too and sure to fascinate children and adults alike, Bjorn travels with his keeper and Arctic Explorer, Ursula. We’ll also be celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of De. Seuss’ One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, with story telling, face painting and crafts.  We have a terrific line up of speakers and activities including Vincent Hyland, who recently featured on RTE’s Living the Wildlife and Dale Tredwell, the crazy Australian. An Ecologist who lives in Ireland, Dale has a unique approach to teaching children and helping them to appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

He has appeared on many children's TV shows, and now travels to schools around Ireland, educating children by first captivating them with his tales of Harry the Hedgehog and other wild creatures. This is one event not to be missed!

Marine Month of Madness is supported by Galway Atlantaquaria, Marine Institute, Galway City Council, NUIG, GMIT, Western Regional Fisheries Board, Galway Bay Sailing Club, Bow Waves, Galway Lifeboat Station, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and Galway Dive Club.

RNLI SIMULATOR

The RNLI Simulator will be outside the aquarium from May 31^st to June 3^rd giving visitors a chance to Steer Our Ship’ by taking the helm of a lifeboat training simulator.

Entry to the Simulator is free but donations to the RNLI will be gratefully accepted!

For more information on any of the above events please contact us.

Galway Atlantaquaria

091 585100

www.nationalaquarium.ie