The Achill Experience, aquarium and visitor centre on Achill Island has checked in a new and very rare guest – a white lobster. The Marine Institute said such a specimen is extremely rare and very unusual to Irish waters. A genetic mismatch means that the lobster is not the traditional dark blue colour.
The lobster was caught by local fisherman Charlie O’Malley who knew immediately this was not a normal find, in his 26 years fishing he had not seen anything like it and immediately contacted the Achill Experience to house this rare find.
Terence Dever, CEO of CFÁA, the company behind the Achill Experience, outlined his delight at receiving such a call. "This new guest, yet to be named, will mesmerise and amaze many visitors to Achill, particularly children who are only developing their understanding of marine life and what is and can be in our waters."
The Achill Experience opened its doors in April 2016 and in its first season hosted more than 18,500 visitors. This is a tremendous boost to the Achill and west Mayo economy and a driver in increasing visitor spend and time in the parish.
The experience is made up of Mayo’s first aquarium, a re-built “Boley House” from the deserted village era, cultural and artistic exhibitions, digital tablet experiences, audio visual displays, and a retail experience.
