Biodiversity Northern Ireland

Four Swans, an Inflatable Shark and an Octopus' Garden!

Summer visitors to Ballycastle were treated to a closer look at the animals that live in our seas. As part of the Four Swans Festival, the Rathlin Island Ferry Terminal was taken over by the Cool Seas Road Show and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Andy Starbuck from the Marine Conservation Society thrilled visitors with his collection of life-size, inflatable whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, seals and porpoises - all of which can be found off our coast line!  For more information on the Cool Seas Road Show, click here:  www.mcsuk.org

A trip to the octupus' garden showed stunning underwater footage of the huge area between Ballycastle and Rathlin. This film was shown by Joe Breen, Head of Aquatic Science, Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Members of the public learning about the animals in our sea at the Cool Seas Roadshow, Ballycastle.

These events were run alongside some fantastic art workshops. Children dressed as puffins and danced the afternoon away at the 'Puffin Ball' and everyone joined in the carnival parade on the final day.

How you can help...
You can help our marine animals by not dropping litter and not using plastic bags. These kill many marine animals each year that mistake the litter and plastic for food and eat it. Do your bit to save our marine animals!