23-04-2025
Burrenbeo Trust ‘celebration' of biodiversity to begin on May 3
The Burrenbeo Trust's annual series of events to highlight biodiversity in the Burren is set to begin this year on May 3.
The trust said it has organised a 'wide range of events' throughout the month of May as part of 'Burren in Bloom' to draw attention to the regions' diversity of plants, flowers, birds and insects.
The events include 14 guided walks on Burren hills and farms, in woodlands, at national park sites and in gardens, along with talks, workshops, and a webinar, with naturalists, and local farmers and landowners taking part.
The opening talk of the programme on May 3 in Kinvara, Co. Galway, will feature the works of insect photographer, naturalist and author Lisa Clancy.
The 'Wildlife Pond Workshop' delivered by Féidhlim Harty, advisor with The Hare's Corner initiative, also on May 3, and 'Caher Bridge Garden visit' guided by its creator Carl Wright on May 11, will both highlight 'actions that individuals or communities can take to make more space for nature in their own pockets of land'.
An evening talk on May 22 in Doolin, Co. Clare, will see Dutch ecologist and lecturer Matthijs Schouten, along with others, give perspectives on what makes the Burren a 'unique landscape' for learning.
Other indoor events organised by Burrenbeo Trust include a Tea Talk with author Rachel McKenna on 'Step into Nature – Flora and Fauna from May to June' in Tubber Village Hall; a children's art workshop with wildlife artist Gordon D'Arcy in Kinvara Community Centre; as well as an online talk on 'Ants in Ireland – and the Burren' with zoologist John Breen.
The series of events will end on the last weekend of May with three Burren farm walks: the 'Burren Farm Biodiversity' walk with the Burren Aran team (part of the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme); the 'Great Irish Grasslands' walk with botanist Phoebe O'Brien; and a 'Return to the Winterage' walk.
Commenting on the upcoming programme of events, Áine Bird, CEO of Burrenbeo Trust, said: 'The Burren's unique ecological richness makes it a perfect place for learning and celebration. Burren in Bloom brings us together to appreciate this beauty while reminding us of the local and global threats to biodiversity and our role in protecting it.'
The indoor events are free, while costs apply to the guided walks, with that money going to the Burrenbeo Trust. Advance booking for all events is necessary, unless otherwise stated.
The programme of events is part funded by the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Burren Aran co-operation project (CP).
