A Life-Sized Basking Shark Has Landed on Albert Quay

A life-sized sculpture of a basking shark has arrived in Cork city, giving the public a rare chance to see just how impressive these ocean giants really are.

The 10.6 metre model, named Banbha after the Irish goddess of the Tuatha Dé Dannan, is located on Albert Quay as part of this weekend's Cork Harbour Festival. It will remain there until Wednesday morning, when it will be relocated to Cork City Hall for the Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference.

Simon Berrow, CEO of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, said:

"The sculpture is a wonderful way for people to see the actual size of basking sharks which come to Ireland every year in huge numbers. Ireland is now recognised as a global hotspot for basking sharks worldwide. It's great that we can share Banbha the basking shark as part of the Cork Harbour Festival and the Fair Seas World Ocean Conference."

The sculpture was created by model-maker Tommy Casby and commissioned by the Irish Basking Shark Group and Fair Seas, with support from the Heritage Council.

Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the ocean and are a familiar sight along Ireland's west coast between April and October.

The Fair Seas World Ocean Week Conference takes place at Cork City Hall on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, from 9.00am to 5.00pm. The event brings together ocean advocates, the fishing community, government, industry and key stakeholders to discuss the designation and management of Marine Protected Areas. Ticket prices start from €75.00 for students, civil society and environmental non-governmental organisations. Registration is open at fairseas.ie.