White-tailed Sea Eagles. Mountshannon.

A pair of White-tailed Sea Eagles have made Bushy Island, Mountshannon their home. The eagles have been here on Lough Derg  for over a year and in April they became the first White-tailed Eagles to nest in Ireland in over 100 years. The breeding pair was originally released in Killarney National Park. Co. Kerry, as part of a White-tailed Sea Eagle reintroduction programme. The birds were brought to Killarney from the island of Froya off the west coast of Norway. Unfortunately the eagles were very young and their first attempt at breeding failed. It was heart-breaking for all.

The eagles are still around and can still be seen roosting on Bushy Island. Lough Derg is now their home and hopefully they will nest on Bushy Island again next year.

I was inspired to do this painting  specifically for the Iniscealtra Arts Festival. The energy, excitement and positivity the eagles brought to the community was extraordinary. They brought the whole community, visitors from all over Ireland and abroad together.

The painting can be viewed in “The Snug Bistro” in Mountshannon. There are prints of this painting also for sale in the Snug.