Images of the weird and wonderful life forms which share our coastal and inland waterways are to feature at Ireland’s largest underwater dive show at the Hodson Bay Hotel on Lough Ree at the weekend.
Up close and personal are high resolution photographs of alien-looking fish, many of which lurk just a few feet from those who stroll along the lakeshore.
Members of Dive Ireland who regularly go to sea off the west coast will be displaying images of their interaction with sharks and marine life which make the area one of the most attractive diving grounds in Europe, according to Jim Campbell of the Athlone Sub Aqua Club.
“It is no exaggeration, people from across the world come here for the best diving, for the clarity of the water and variety of sea life,” he said.
Also featuring this weekend will be the story of the discovery of four bronze cannons that lay for more than 400 years in a Spanish Armada wreck at Streedagh, Co Sligo.
The canons which are now the property of the National Museum include intricate details including an apparent depiction of a bearded St Peter holding the keys to heaven. The cannons were discovered in July 2015 by divers investigating the wrecks of three Spanish Armada galleons shipwrecked in 1588.
The show will also feature images of one of a number of U-Boats which were scuttled off the coast of Donegal during or after World War II by the British Navy.
Seasearch Ireland is to launch an initiative asking dive clubs to “adopt a site” to monitor changes in species and habitat in their local area. The data will be used to track changes in the marine environment, monitor changes in species distribution and inform policy decisions in local areas.
In exchange, participating clubs will be provided with training in species identification, analysis of their data, and material for promoting the site and the club’s monitoring scheme
The Dive Ireland International Expo, which runs today and tomorrow (admission €5),includes discussions of Irish underwater archaeology, marine life and underwater photography. See: diveireland.ie/
