Donegal just received a visitor from 2,000 miles north. A beluga whale — an Arctic species almost never seen in Irish waters — was filmed by drone off Fintra, Donegal Bay, on 17 October 2026 by Sebastian Szumlanski, who was out with his family. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group confirmed the sighting — only the second beluga report the group has validated in its 35-year history.
For those of us who love Ireland’s coastline, this is a reminder of what makes the Wild Atlantic Way so extraordinary. We never quite know what’s out there. Donegal Bay already offers some of Ireland’s finest coastal scenery, from Slieve League’s towering cliffs to the quiet beaches around Bundoran. Add the chance — however slim — of witnessing something truly unexpected, and you understand why wildlife enthusiasts keep returning.
Will you see a beluga if you visit? Almost certainly not. But Donegal’s waters host regular dolphin pods, basking sharks in summer, and migrating whales each year. The sea rewards those who watch it.
Originally reported by go-to-ireland.com
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