Embark on a peatland adventure with Féile an Dúlra this week
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has planned a busy summer of peatland and nature-themed events as part of Féile an Dúlra 2025, the council's festival of nature.
The festival kicked off on World Wetlands Day in February with the launch of the national 'Hop to It' frog survey, and was followed in April by World Curlew Day.
A week of free events has been planned as part of National Biodiversity Week, running until May 25.
Today (Saturday, May 17), the IPCC will hold a guided peatland nature walk to Lodge Bog in Co. Kildare, starting from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre at 10:00a.m.
IPCC guides will share the diversity of peatland birds that use this raised bog for nesting or feeding, and visitors will also get the opportunity to discover the variety of fascinating peatland plants.
From Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m., there will be free admission to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, where the history, cultural traditions, flora and fauna and archaeological importance of peatlands can be discovered within the peatland exhibition.
The peat-free wildlife gardens will also be open, allowing visitors to explore the largest public display of carnivorous plants in Ireland and the UK.
On Tuesday, May 20 at 11:00a.m, the IPCC will host a butterfly walk at Lullymore West nature reserve. Lullymore West is known nationally as a butterfly haven, as 26 of Ireland's 35 butterfly species have been recorded on the site, including the threatened marsh fritillary butterfly.
In collaboration with the Native Woodland Trust, the IPCC will guide a walk and talk at Girley Bog on Wednesday, May 21, meeting at Girley Hall at 7:00p.m.
This will provide an opportunity to learn all about bog habitats and the various plants and animals that call this precious habitat home.
For those who do not have time to join one of the biodiversity walks, there is still an opportunity to learn about peatland biodiversity as the IPCC will host an online talk at 1:00pm on Thursday, May 22, titled 'Lunchtime with IPCC'.
All the events are free and people are encouraged to get involved and explore their peatland heritage for Biodiversity Week.
The IPCC has lots more events planned for later this summer, with a bat walk on June 20, International Bog Day on July 26 and Heritage Week from August 16.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
19-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Grazing cattle used for first time in airport biodiversity project
Grazing cattle have been used for the first time on airport-owned land in Ireland, as part of the initial phase of the Shannon Airport Group's Farmland Biodiversity Enhancement Project. The announcement coincides with National Biodiversity Week, which runs until 25 May. The 10-acre site near the airport hosts rare and endangered species of native grasses and flowers, such as bee and pyramidal orchids. After scrub clearance in 2024 by a team from the airport, traditional Droimeann cattle - a native, rare breed in Ireland - were introduced for conservation grazing during the non-growing season. Head of Sustainability with Shannon Airport Group Sinéad Murphy said, "it's a regenerative form of managing the land, and so we're really going back to how the land would have been managed many years ago. "So we've worked with the local farmer who's brought in heritage breed cattle to really keep back the scrub. They're also very light cattle in comparison to standard cattle and that really stops the ground being compacted, and this allows the flowers and the grasses to flourish." Led by the Shannon Airport Group Biodiversity Team and supported by a farmer and a botanist, the project is helping to restore and protect the rare habitat of Thady's Hill and its unique plant species. The site, less than 2km from Shannon's runway, used to belong to the grandfather of local farmer John Quinlivan. Now he has come on board for the project. "I was asked if I would be interested in putting some native-breed cattle on the land, so I bought six Droimeann cattle," he said. "They're keeping down the vegetation so the rare flowers and plants that were found in the area will thrive. The idea is to try and have the cattle here during the winter time especially, to graze the land and give room for the rare flowers to prosper and develop." The next phase of the project involves collaboration with Polliknow, a company that has developed devices using advanced sensors and computer vision to monitor wild insect pollinators - key indicators of ecosystem health. Polliknow Founder Meg Brennan said the devices will be placed around the site and will sit there "for weeks and months at a time, and what they do, they're counting the types of different insects we're seeing. "So different bees, butterflies, moths, hoverflies and how many of them year-on-year we can see that changes the progression over time. "Typically, on sites like this that have been managed for nature, we hopefully see that increase over time, which is an indicator of biodiversity. We're working with ecologists and botanists on-site, as well as our data, to assess the actions they've taken have improved the local biodiversity. This farmland project is the latest arrival as part of Shannon Airport's Biodiversity Action Plan, with a number of initiatives already in place, including pollinator-friendly management of landscaping and a biodiversity garden.
Agriland
17-05-2025
- Agriland
Embark on a peatland adventure with Féile an Dúlra this week
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) has planned a busy summer of peatland and nature-themed events as part of Féile an Dúlra 2025, the council's festival of nature. The festival kicked off on World Wetlands Day in February with the launch of the national 'Hop to It' frog survey, and was followed in April by World Curlew Day. A week of free events has been planned as part of National Biodiversity Week, running until May 25. Today (Saturday, May 17), the IPCC will hold a guided peatland nature walk to Lodge Bog in Co. Kildare, starting from the Bog of Allen Nature Centre at 10:00a.m. IPCC guides will share the diversity of peatland birds that use this raised bog for nesting or feeding, and visitors will also get the opportunity to discover the variety of fascinating peatland plants. From Monday, May 19 to Friday, May 23 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m., there will be free admission to the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, where the history, cultural traditions, flora and fauna and archaeological importance of peatlands can be discovered within the peatland exhibition. The peat-free wildlife gardens will also be open, allowing visitors to explore the largest public display of carnivorous plants in Ireland and the UK. On Tuesday, May 20 at 11:00a.m, the IPCC will host a butterfly walk at Lullymore West nature reserve. Lullymore West is known nationally as a butterfly haven, as 26 of Ireland's 35 butterfly species have been recorded on the site, including the threatened marsh fritillary butterfly. In collaboration with the Native Woodland Trust, the IPCC will guide a walk and talk at Girley Bog on Wednesday, May 21, meeting at Girley Hall at 7:00p.m. This will provide an opportunity to learn all about bog habitats and the various plants and animals that call this precious habitat home. For those who do not have time to join one of the biodiversity walks, there is still an opportunity to learn about peatland biodiversity as the IPCC will host an online talk at 1:00pm on Thursday, May 22, titled 'Lunchtime with IPCC'. All the events are free and people are encouraged to get involved and explore their peatland heritage for Biodiversity Week. The IPCC has lots more events planned for later this summer, with a bat walk on June 20, International Bog Day on July 26 and Heritage Week from August 16.
Agriland
12-05-2025
- Agriland
200 events planned for National Biodiversity Week
Ireland's nature and wildlife will take centre stage from May 16-25, with over 200 events scheduled across the country for National Biodiversity Week. As well as highlighting the importance of biodiversity, National Biodiversity Week is also about experiencing the fun, enjoyment and spectacle of the nature and connecting with a wilder world. The annual 10-day celebration of nature and wildlife offers a variety of free events and activities for the whole family. Organised by the Irish Environmental Network and funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the week will provide opportunities for the public to connect with nature and learn from local experts and groups actively working to protect natural heritage. Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said: 'National Biodiversity Week is a fantastic opportunity for everyone to connect with nature, and to experience first-hand its importance in our lives. 'During the week we can appreciate, and also learn, simple but powerful actions that we can all take which will protect nature. 'The Irish Environmental Network has put together a really impressive programme of events this year, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. 'It's encouraging to see even more events happening around the country this year, and I'd like to thank all of the organisations, agencies, and NGOs who collectively make the week such a success.' National Biodiversity Week The minister of state has also encouraged people to visit a national park, nature reserve or protected area, many of which will be hosting events and activities throughout the week. Events will reach communities in every corner of Ireland, showcasing coasts, rivers and estuaries, hedgerows, wetlands, native woodlands and the marine environment. Guided nature walks and field trips for children will introduce participants to pollinators and other biodiversity in local greenspaces. Hands-on workshops will cover topics ranging from composting and willow weaving to bat box building and pond creation. The public is encouraged to discover wildlife with whale watching, farm walks, bat walks, biodiversity cycle tours and art workshops. Amateur nature photographers are invited to submit photos for the 13th annual Biodiversity Photographer of the Year competition, happening throughout May. As people gather to celebrate biodiversity across Ireland, there will also be discussion on how to protect and restore biodiversity. As National Biodiversity Week kicks off, a variety of in-person and virtual events will bring communities together nationwide to be inspired by nature and learn how to pitch in to protect it. Families and students can even participate in National Biodiversity Week at home through special events like the 'Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt', a self-guided activity to discover wildlife in gardens or local parks. Welcoming the launch of National Biodiversity Week, chief executive officer of the Irish Environmental Network, Karen Ciesielski said: 'It is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Ireland's fascinating wildlife and habitats at free events nationwide. 'People all around the country can learn more about the natural world surrounding them and how to take actions that support wildlife and biodiversity. 'Discovering the wonder of nature is the first step to local dialogue and action to restore biodiversity in Ireland. 'By reconnecting people to a wilder world and the wonders of nature, Biodiversity Week is also a call to action to help address the alarming decline in our natural habitats. National Biodiversity Week not only celebrates nature but inspires people to protect and enhance it.' Director general of the NPWS, Niall Ó Donnchú added: 'NPWS is delighted to support this important initiative and to see it going from strength to strength. 'This week is about putting it in our nature to protect nature. Enhancing public awareness about nature is key to delivering the National Biodiversity Action Plan, and weeks like this help us to do that. 'It is a fantastic time of year to enjoy the annual awakening of nature in all its vibrant symphony of sounds, sights and scents.'
