An impressive humpback whale put on a show for some lucky viewers off Teelin this summer.
Just a few weeks ago, passengers on the Sliabh Liag Boat Tours couldn’t believe their eyes when they witnessed the majestic whale in the bay.
Skipper Paddy Byrne has seen many amazing sights on his tours, but this one was different.
On that special day, the whale shared the water with minke and dolphins, flipping, thrashing and expelling powerful bursts of air for its audience.
Watch here in this video by Celine King:
Paddy has been sailing charter boats for 30 years and fishing since he was a child, but he says the sights he saw that day in July were hard to explain.
“I’m a different man since,” he said.
“It went on for about 45 minutes, you could see them jumping and skipping. It was a magical event to see them, playing only couple of hundred yards in front of you.”
While he has seen humpbacks before, and even turtles back in the day, Paddy never thought he would get to see such a show of magnificent creatures on his doorstep.
“We don’t often go chasing after them, but when they decide to do a bit of people watching on our tours, who are we to object,” he said.
Paddy, who is having a busy season of sightseeing tours, stressed that he doesn’t usually do mammal watching trips. But you never know what could be spotted along the Wild Atlantic Way.
From international tourists to locals and neighbours, he’s grateful for everyone who comes aboard and shares in his passion for the beautiful cliffs of Sliabh Liag.
“I am overwhelmed by the local support for my boat trips. It’s so much appreciated,” he said.
See more of the humpback in action in this stunning video by another privileged witness, Eilis Carr @eiliscarr
Watch: Magical moment humpback whale makes a splash in Donegal Bay was last modified: August 7th, 2025 by Rachel McLaughlin