Shoals of Basking Sharks Spotted In Ireland

Many of those messing around in boats off the west Cork coastline at the weekend were treated to one of the natural wonders of the marine environment — shoals of basking sharks.

According to those familiar with the waters off Galley Head, the arrival of between 25 and 30 of these huge sharks was a rare occurrence so early in the summer.

Local weather soothsayers predicted that the early arrival of the sharks, which were migrating eastwards towards the Seven Heads, was a sign of further good weather.

After its close cousin the whale shark, the basking shark is the second largest fish in the oceans and despite its fearsome appearance is a harmless plankton feeder