# Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in IRELAND

A Rainy Day at the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

Southwest Ireland

Scott and I spent a rest day in Dingle before we began our hike on the Dingle Way. The rain came down hard one that afternoon and Scott suggested we visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium.

It didn’t really interest me, as I don’t usually care to see animals in captivity. Scott pointed out how the aquarium houses animals, which have been injured or rescued.  They strive to breed species which are depleting in numbers. He convinced me. We put on our rain coats and off we went.

Aquarium Exploration

We arrived just in time to see the otters being fed. They had so much fun as they ran around with fish heads in their months, chasing each other. They played and played, while we laughed and laughed. The small children near us who watched the otter hijinks, squealed with delight and excitement.

Fish

After we watched the otter we spent some time at the different tanks which housed fish.

The seahorses intrigued me the most. I learned how the male seahorse carries the babies and gives birth to up to 400 at a time. The seahorses have armored plates instead of scales and are slow swimmers. Luckily, they can change colors to hide from predators!

Starfish

Another one of our favorites were the starfish. We didn’t know they eat meat and love clams, oysters, fish and other small sea creatures.

Scott and I were impressed with how colorful and healthy the coral was in the fish tanks.

Gentoo Penguins

Next, it was time for the penguins to be fed. The Gentoo are the third largest penguin species in the world and fastest swimming bird in the world. We can vouch for that, as they fly through the water at surprising speeds.

When the handler came out to feed the penguins small fish, we laughed so hard at their antics. They flew out of the water like a bullet, jumping onto the ledge of ice to be fed. We were highly entertained. The aquarium has a snow machine and they make snow daily so the penguins can play.

If you decide to visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, be sure to look at their website for feeding times. They also list each of the penguin names and special characteristics; like which penguin they are paired up with, which are mates and what their habits are. Then, you can match the penguin to it’s color coded band, so you know which one is which.

Other Species

The aquarium has many other species and creatures big and small.

Everywhere we turned, we saw turtles, sharks, bearded dragons,snakes and more!

Conservation

We were impressed with the conservation efforts taken by the aquarium. They have a lobster hatchery and practice lobster conservation and protection.

The aquarium also tags and releases Angel Sharks, and the day we visited they released a Loggerhead Turtle back into the sea after its rehabilitation.

Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium

We spent a lovely time on our rainy afternoon at the aquarium. Scott and I highly recommend a visit if you are in Dingle. Be sure to check out their website first for current pricing and discounts as well as times of the year they are closed for maintenance.

To read more about our time in Ireland, please click here.