Dolphins at Bunratty

pakalasa

There were two Dolphins at Bunratty bridge yesterday evening. It's a fair bit up the river Fergus. Would it be the cold weather that drove them up that far, I wonder.

Kess73

That is not the river Fergus, it is the Ralty or Ratty River depending on who you talk to about the name.

They can often be seen in the Shannon estuary near where the Ralty/Ratty river joins, so not overly surprised a pair were spotted by Bunratty given how short a distance it is from the estuary. From Bunratty Castle to the Estuary would be a distance comparable to that between Shannon Bridge and Thomond bridge in Limerick so a pretty short swim for dolphin if they time the tides right.

Small porpoise also come up the Ralty a little bit from time to time and seals have been found as far up the Shannon as Corbally in Limerick. One of the latter got a bit of publicity not too many years back when it had to be rescued.

pakalasa

You're right, It's not the river Fergus. I wasn't thinking. I've been out in a boat to one of the islands from Bunratty, so I know it well.

Kess73

Been out around that part of the estuary a lot so we may have passed on the water sometime.


Funnily enough I was out at a small island not too far from Bunratty at one point as well, as a friend was viewing one when it was for sale.

pakalasa

Kess73 wrote: »

Been out around that part of the estuary a lot so we may have passed on the water sometime.


Funnily enough I was out at a small island not too far from Bunratty at one point as well, as a friend was viewing one when it was for sale.

Different island, but I know the guy that sold that one.

mickwor1111

Actually the river is called the Owengarney , same river that runs through six mile bridge

gismoet

Actually ye are both right, it is the same river (Owengarney) but the section at bunratty is actually called the ratty river


Loads of people on the bridge today at durty nellys watching the dolphins

bullets

one of the guys in work shared this link this morning,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1E3W_Ola0nQ

EDIT: Bit more on page 14 of the Limerick Post
http://www.limerickpost.ie/digital/2013/2013-04-06/
~B

pakalasa

I thought it was the O'Garney river, as in Droichead Abhann Uí gCearnaigh.

There's crowds there every evening watching them. Nellies is doing a roaring trade.

glasagusban

Anyone know are they still about????

A2LUE42

They were still there yesterday and as the tide was in they were right at the bridge beside Nellies.

glasagusban

A2LUE42 wrote: »

They were still there yesterday and as the tide was in they were right at the bridge beside Nellies.

Thanks! Went out this morning but the tide was low so apparently they had moved on up river a bit. May try again when the tide is in.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

they came back when the tide was high around 4pm'ish

wonderful sight to see, with tourists from all over the world watching them