Penguins set for Dingle in Crean homage

ANNE LUCEY

ABOUT A dozen breeding penguins are to be placed at the Dingle Oceanworld aquarium, as part of an ambitious new polar room which pays homage to a west Kerry Antarctic explorer.
The display in the facility, costing almost €1 million, is linked to explorer Tom Crean, who hailed from nearby Annascaul, and took part in three polar expeditions during the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration”.
The penguins are being introduced from British and Irish zoos and will include mainly the gentoo and rockhopper species – smaller breeds than the large and more famous Emperor penguin.
The polar room in Dingle will imitate the Antarctic’s icy conditions and will require one full-time penguin minder and at least two part-time staff, said marine expert Kevin Flannery.
Údarás na Gaeltachta announced yesterday its board had approved a capital grant of almost €100,000 to the aquarium.

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