Celtic Mist

Product Information

After a long but successful day, with arguably the most beautiful scenery we had seen so far on the trip, we sailed past Hook Lighthouse (one of the oldest lighthouses in Europe, or so I was told) and into Dunmore East. Celtic Mistwill be used for training whale and dolphin members in species identification and training in surveying and recording cetaceans, Dr Berrow added. The maiden voyage proved very successful as the team encountered twelve species of cetaceans from harbour porpoise to blue whales off the continental shelf edge. Celtic Mist was donated to the IWDG in 2011, by the family of Ireland’s former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey. At 17m, Celtic Mist has become IWDG’s flagship vessel, equipped to accommodate eight people. Celtic Mist has surveyed Irish inshore and offshore waters since 2012, successfully circum-navigating Ireland on several occasions, including in 2022.

The last time Waterford hosted the race start, three Irish vessels represented the State in the sail past down the estuary to Dunmore East – the This years surveys onboard Celtic Mist will run for seven days, departing from a variety of locations throughout Ireland from April – September 2023. The Field Biologist will work closely with IWDG’s Science Officer to manage and deliver a new data collection programme onboard Celtic Mist, collecting vital information on cetaceans in Irish waters. They will be responsible for training members in marine mammal survey techniques, managing the data collection and communicating the project through our social media channels. Skipper Pat Hartigan began his experience nearly 30 years ago learning about the sea out on fishing boats, completed the yacht master exams in the nineties and owned his own boat. An experienced yacht master instructor and twelve years frontline service with the Coast Guard Pat first skippered the Celtic Mist in 2016. Built in 1974 this 57-foot Ketch, formerly owned by Charles Haughey, was gifted to the IWDG in 2011. He was pleased with the performance of the boat and delighted to get a little bit of sailing during the week despite very little wind. Describing us as an eclectic mix Pat was happy with the crew which worked as a great team. Set on the seaward side of the bay and boasting stunning sea views that span the pristine coastline that reaches to Godrevy and beyond, Celtic Mist is a luxury three-bedroom bungalow with all the indoor and outside space you could wish for; creating a wonderful holiday retreat for families and couples to enjoy. Light-filled and welcoming, the home features a spacious entrance hall with a wooden staircase that ascends to the upstairs rooms where guests will discover a large lounge with stunning sea views; a lovely space for whiling away the hours in complete relaxation. Downstairs, the property’s three ground floor bedrooms are airy and inviting, with comfortable beds and garden views adding to their appeal. Operating for about five months of the year, Celtic Mist proudly flies the flag for the IWDG as it journeys from port to port, exploring and researching an incredible amount of Irish waters and beyond — notably, Celtic Mist even undertook a 4,000km expedition from Ireland to Iceland in 2018!

Situated on the ground floor this room is furnished with twin beds (that can be zipped and linked to form a super king size bed), bedside tables, lamps, a chest of drawers, mirror and built-in wardrobe IWDG wants to thanks every members of this crew for their time helping us collecting data. It’s very much appreciated. Mr Desmond, by now truly a multi-millionaire, paid up with, what was to him at least, loose change. It was, he insisted at the Moriarty Tribunal, ``an insignificant financial matter.''

Keen hurler Daragh McLaughlin the youngest member of the crew has always been interested in marine life and when he came across this voyage immediately joined as a member of the IWDG. He was surprised to see so much marine life and particularly enjoyed observing the large numbers of Common Dolphins and Minke Whales. On 9th of August, and still coping with the pandemic, the world would wake up to the IPCC report that unequivocally declared global warming and climate change a reality of our times. Nature was angry. A group of eight – Pat – the skipper, Patricia – the first mate, Emily – the biologist, Robbie, Lucia, Angela, Eoin and I set sail to face her head on with our zindadili (feeling of being alive). A rolling ocean and roaring winds awaited us outside the secure Fenit harbour. The massive 35 ton Celtic Mist was tossed as though it was a nuisance to be dealt with. Pat the skipper, Robbie and others at the helm were in a battle of wills with the waves. Emily, our spotter and biologist, brushed aside all the whispers of the white horses even in this weather. She kept her eyes open for signs of Wally the Arctic walrus rumoured to be in the vicinity. She spotted bottlednosed dolphins. Any member of the IWDG can join a survey for a week and our crew is made of all types, from people with absolutely no experience on a boat to ex-merchant navy,” explains Andrew Shine, Celtic Mist officer. “100% of people who join Celtic Mist for a week’s surveying learn something new, see something they haven’t before, or look at an old ocean with new eyes. It’s hugely rewarding to see the excitement of budding scientists and layfolk alike when they get the opportunity to come aboard.As well as the IWDG’s team of expert staff, what’s made these groundbreaking findings possible is Celtic Mist, a research vessel gifted to the IWDG in 2011 by the family of former Taoiseach Charles Haughey. In the cool blue light of a Malahide morning, Celtic Mist didn't look quite as pretty as she had in the flattering Spanish sun. She needed refurbishment, a good overhaul and a paint job. In nautical terms she needed a refit, a vital bit of housekeeping to keep a vessel safe and seaworthy and to protect the significant initial investment. The nation didn't bat an eyelid of course and besides we were were in a nautical mood ourselves. The Whitbread Round the World Race started in September 1989 setting out from Portsmouth, headed for Uraguay, Australia and New Zealand on the outward leg of an eight month jaunt.

Degree in a scientific or environmental discipline or over two years of experience in marine mammal surveying. Palma, Majorca 1989. Celtic Mist must have been quite a sight with her steel hull rising and falling gently in the azure swell and sun glinting off her brightwork and rigging. Passion for wildlife conservation and the mission of the IWDG to engage people with nature conservation. Ron Holland a disarmingly frank New Zealander has a remarkable record as a yacht designer. Soon after his arrival in Ireland he had designed and built ``Golden Apple'' for the late Hugh Coveney and John McWilliam, the noted sail maker, and later secured a worldwide reputation after his designs won a number of prestigious international regattas.The 17m (56ft) ketch Ilen was designed and built by Ireland's first round-world yachtsman Conor O'Brien in 1926 and spent almost 70 years as a transport ferry in the Falkland Islands. In fact, as the group’s CEO Dr Simon Berrow points out, when the IWDG first started out it was quite radical for the Irish general public to conceive of even one dolphin in our waters — nevermind the hundreds that we know of today. “In 1990 we formed the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, and it was around this time that word about a Dingle Dolphin was spreading,” he remembers. “Indeed I think to most people Fungie was the ONLY dolphin in Ireland!” Monday night also revealed to us a great evil that had been walking, talking and working among us. Gathered around the table to play a round of Quirkle, a game that can only be described as the unexpectedly lovable child of scrabble and Uno, the crew discovered to our great horror the competitive and sly gameplay of First Mate Pearse who was both relentless and apathetic in his pursuit of victory. Only one man could assuage the barrage of entirely innocuous suffering put upon the crew by Pearse. Our saving grace, Paul, who made sure to humble Pearse at each turn and did so without even breaking a sweat. His thankless efforts ensured a sound night of sleep for the crew despite the roll of the boat on the waves. Coordinate with other marine biologists during the season to ensure consistency in data collection.