DONEGAL: BEWARE OF DOLPHINS: EXPERT
A large colony of bottlenose dolphins has taken up residence off Donegal - but a marine expert has warned swimmers and sailors to be wary of the pod.
Around 100 of the mammals - an unusually large number - have been spotted regularly in recent days in Donegal Bay between Rossnowlagh beach and Doorin Head, both the Irish Independent and Irish Examiner have reported. One expert said that July to November is the height of the dolphin season, and the bottlenose often swims closer to shore than other dolphin species, giving wildlife spotters an especially good view.
However, Dr. Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group said people shouldn't get too close to the "big and robust" animals. He told Ocean FM the dolphins are "wild creatures living in an environment that is totally alien to us. You should be wary of them."
Speaking to Highland FM, Berrow added: "They're very boisterous and active and will approach boats and people. Don't get in the water with them. I've been working with them for 18 years and I'd be frightened to get in the water with them. They're big, strong animals."
He said there would only be a serious danger "if the person didn't behave properly" in the water with the dolphins. "Bottlenose dolphins have killed people before, but only when people act the maggot," he said.
LONGFORD: COUNCILACTS ON 'GHOSTS'
Longford County Council is calling for expressions of interest for works to be carried out on 18 of the county's unfinished housing estates. The move follows a recent announcement by the council that €400,000 had been allocated towards a number of projects related to some of the county's so called "ghost estates," the Longford Leaders reports.
Works being undertaken include removal of construction and demolition waste, erection of secure weld mesh fencing and access gates, supply and erection of various types of fending and gates, concrete repairs to footpaths and supply and installation of kerbing, demolition of partially constructed units, removal of C&D Waste and backfill over foundations, importation of top soil, leveling and grass seeding of green areas, including grass cutting. Other works such as securing vacant houses are also cited on the specifications.
CORK: NEW BRIDGE TO LIGHTHOUSE OPENED
Minister for Transport and Tourism Leo Varadkar opened the €2.5 million footbridge to the Mizen Head Lighthouse at the country's most southernwesterly point last week, the Southern Star reports.
For about a year and a half, no one had access to Mizen Head other than the engineers and workers who were busy demolishing the old bridge that was built in 1909 at a cost of £1,272 and re-building the replica bridge. The latter, commented the Star, "owing to its spectacular location on high cliffs above the swirling tides of the Atlantic Ocean - is still guaranteed to leave visitors to Mizen Head with an indelible first impression."
CLARE: LOCAL GIRL IS RDS WINNER
A road accident some years ago left Alanna Morgan in a wheelchair but it didn't take away her dreams.
The 17-year-old from Dysart, Corofin, was one of the winners at the recent Dublin Horse Show with her horse Dysart Diamond Sky, the Clare Champion reports. The filly, trained by her dad, Alan, won the three-year-old Loose Performance Jumping competition and was judged to have scored the highest points in the filly section as well as the overall section.
"I am feeling great after it. This was my first time competing at the Dublin Horse Show and it was a fantastic experience. My whole family were up there to support me and it was very exciting. My uncle was there too with his filly," she said.
Alanna, who qualified for the Dublin Horse Show at the Ennis Showgrounds, has had Dysart Diamond Sky since it was bought as a foal and she has developed a bond with the animal.
"The loose performance involves having the horse run around the circle and jump while I am in the ring; the horse has to be trained to run around and being in a wheelchair hasn't made a difference. Horses are a big part of our family life and they will always be a part of my life. I won't let the accident stop me," she said. She hopes this will be the first of many times she will take part in the world-renowned Royal Dublin Society event.
Her dad added: "We're so proud of her, we were all there to support her and it was a great result. Everyone tries to win in Dublin; it's the place to win."
