Kraken coming to the beach in Galway

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Galway Dail news Kraken coming to the beach in Galway
The Marine Institute's Explorers team around the country are planning a Kraken Family Day on the beach for European Maritime Day on the 21st May. Photo: Cushla Dromgool-Regan, Camden Education

Release the Kraken on the beaches of Galway this summer, but in a way that’s fun for the whole family.

Galway’s Marine Institute is hosting five Kraken beach events for families on seashores around the country this month, with scary tales and a sand sculpture competition.

The Institute’s Explorers Education Programme will hear stories about the largest mythical sea monsters known as the Kraken which according to legend are found in the deepest parts of the ocean, while taking part in fun events.

The day will feature beach walks and talks, litter pick ups, and myologically enthused sand sculpting competition, where young people will craft the largest and scariest of sea monsters.

The Kraken is a legendary sea monster, gigantic in size, that is said to exist off the coasts of Norway and Greenland,” explained Dr Noirin Burke, of the Explorers Education Programme.

“It is believed that the Kraken will be swimming past Ireland in May and the Explorers team are on the look-out, to see if it might land on one of the local seashores.”

“Spot prizes funded will be provided to children for creating the best Kraken sand sculptures,” Dr Burke added.

In Galway the Explorers Kraken Family Day will take place on Grattan Beach at 12pm on Saturday, May 21. The event is fully free, and places can be booked online here.

The Family Day events will take place in Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Waterford and Dublin to mark European Maritime Day.

European Maritime Day takes place all around Europe and aims to raise awareness and engage people in learning about our ocean.