Menu
The December talk of the Dublin Branch of Green Drinks will be about the new book by well known ecologist Richard Nairn on the nature and history of Dublin. The talk will highlight the interdependence of people and nature in Dublin Bay, illustrated by the historical ecology of this rich coastal ecosystem. It will also look to the future with the threats of climate change and the challenges for the recently established Dublin Bay Biosphere.”
Richard Nairn is an ecologist and writer who grew up on the shores of the bay and still sails regularly there. He was previously a nature reserve warden and the first Director of IWC BirdWatch Ireland. “Dublin Bay: Nature and History” is his fifth book.
**NOTE: Event venue is Basement Blue Room, not top floor.
The December talk of the Dublin Branch of Green Drinks will be about the new book by well known ecologist Richard Nairn on the nature and history of Dublin. The talk will highlight the interdependence of people and nature in Dublin Bay, illustrated by the historical ecology of this rich coastal ecosystem. It will also look to the future with the threats of climate change and the challenges for the recently established Dublin Bay Biosphere.”
Richard Nairn is an ecologist and writer who grew up on the shores of the bay and still sails regularly there. He was previously a nature reserve warden and the first Director of IWC BirdWatch Ireland. “Dublin Bay: Nature and History” is his fifth book.
**NOTE: Event venue is Basement Blue Room, not top floor.
Join photographer and Birr native Tina Claffey on a photographic journey. Tina will describe her photographic adventures in Botswana through to her more recent work capturing iconic images of Irish bogs. Much of Tinas work featured in her newly released photobook Tapestry Of Light is taken at Abbeyleix Bog a local nature hot-spot. Tina’s new book will be available to purchase on the evening.
[caption id="attachment_2935" align="alignleft" width="400"]
Grey Heron by Martin Mc[/caption]
IWT Dublin Branch’s January outing occurs on Sunday January 7th. We are most fortunate to have a birdwatch outing led by John Fox. Those of you who bought the book on Dublin Bay by, among others, Richard Nairn, who gave our December talk will know that John is the main photographer of that volume, so the outing should be spectacular. We meet on the causeway at 12 noon. Remember – dress warmly.
Maria McGrail will give a presentation on wildlife photography. “Green Drinks”, hosted by IWT Dublin branch, occurs the first Tuesday of each month at JW Sweetman’s pub on Burgh Quay right beside O’Connell Bridge. Top floor. See IWT Dublin Branch Facebook page or their Meetup page for further details closer to the date.
Author and IWT Campaigns Officer Pádraic Fogarty will be talking about his book – Whittled Away – and Ireland’s vanishing nature at Banagher Library.
Join leader Denis Cullen for a wildlife walk. Meet in Waterford at 1230 pm for car-pooling, car park between Shandon Roundabout and Waterford Council Offices at 1.30 from where we proceed to the car-park leading to the Cunnigar.
Free Wildlife Photography workshop with Maria McGrail. The workshop is limited to 10 participants who should bring whatever camera they have and a tripod if they have one. Tea and coffee are available so participants will just have to bring their lunch. Booking necessary at dublinbranch@iwt.ie Places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
08 Jan: Waterford: Carrigavantry and Ballyscanlan Lake Walk
IWT Waterford Branch will be leading a visit to Carrigavantry and Ballyscanlan Lake, Co. Waterford (Carraig an Bhruinnteora agus Loch Bhaile Uí Scanláin). The Walk will be led by Denis Cullen.
Location: Meet at the carpark opposite the Applegreen garage in Tramore
Date: Sunday 8th January.
Time: 13:00
Event contact: iwtwaterfordbranch@gmail.com
10 Jan: IWT Webinar: Rights of Nature
The Citizens’ Assembly has recommended that Ireland’s Constitution be changed to include reference to biodiversity, perhaps to allow for recognition of Rights of Nature. This webinar will explore the ideas behind Rights of Nature and what it might mean for Ireland. We will talk to James Orr and Katie Holden about the campaign for the Rights of Nature to be recognised in Ireland.
Register for this free webinar using this registration link
22 Jan: Dublin: Bull Island Birding Outing
IWT Dublin Branch loves to start the year with an annual January outing to Bull Island to see the birds, especially the Brent Geese. We are fortunate this year to be led by two volunteers from Birdwatch Ireland. It promises to be a great morning. Bring binoculars and telescopes if you have them, but we should have some to share. And remember – wrap up well.
Location: Meet at the end of the Causeway, opposite the wonderful carved tree.
Date: Sunday 22nd January
Time: 11:00
Event contact: dublinbranch@iwt.ie
This webinar will look at the Lesser Horseshoe Bat and the recent action plan that was published for it’s conservation in Ireland. To learn about this fascinating native mammal we will be chatting with Dr Kate McAney.
Kate McAney is Ireland Mammal Programme Manager at the Vincent Wildlife Trust. Kate McAney obtained a PhD from University College Galway in 1987 for her research on the summer activity and diet of the lesser horseshoe bat in County Clare. Since 1991 she has been working in Ireland for the Vincent Wildlife Trust, a UK-based wildlife charity, and has spent most of that time working on practical conservation actions for the lesser horseshoe bat. In 2022 she co-authored the Lesser Horseshoe Bat Species Action Plan with Dr Ferdia Marnell, National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Date & Time: Feb 9, 2023, 07:00 PM
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bft3gzqHQ6abCBXVai_5Xg
February Foraging with Samuel Arnold Keane
This is a Dublin Branch event
We are going to have an absolutely marvellous outing on Sunday, February 12th when Samuel Arnold Keane will take us foraging!
With foraging edible ‘weeds’ we end up taking care and protecting wild pieces of land. We form a relationship with land that is otherwise labelled as ‘neglected’ or disused. It is this type of ‘wild’ land that we so desperately need to allow insect life- and therefore bird life, and indeed human life to become sustainable. In an urban setting, foraging can be a strong practice in community building, while gathering, preparing, preserving wild foods and materials into many various uses. It is an activity than can include all ages and abilities.
The Sunday low tides for 2023 are seriously low, so we are meeting at Dalkey Dart Station at 9:30 to walk to Whiterock Beach in Killiney. Wear sensible shoes, and bring a small container or two for your ‘forage’
Samuel has a wonderful new book on foraging, and he will have copies to sell. They are €10 each, and you will need CASH.
Date & Time: 12th February, 09:30
Meeting Point: Dalkey Dart Station
Contact: dublinbranch@iwt.ie
This event is hosted by Waterford Branch
The next outing of the Waterford branch of the IWT is next Sunday, 12th February to Marlfield Pond, Clonmel with a look at the Greylag Geese and Whooper Swans on the way.
They can best be seen at Darrigal on the Portlaw to Carrick road (R680) or at Tibberaghny ( best viewed from the high road at Brownswood)
We therefore plan to meet at Kilmeaden railway station at 1pm. S 51497 10762
We will stop briefly at the Tesco carpark on the ring road, Clonmel at 2pm for anyone who prefers to join us there. S 20964 23363
More details: iwtwaterfordbranch@gmail.com
This webinar will talk with Richard Nairn, an ecologist and writer based in County Wicklow. In this webinar he will talk about Ireland’s native woodland including its wildlife, management and policies for its protection.
Date & Time: Mar 7, 2023, 07:00 PM
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_C7mtHS2VQA6l2vPysl516w
Limerick Climbing Club are holding an environmental awareness talk on Tuesday March 21st, at 7.30 in Mary I, room T.1.17.
The topic is ‘Birds of the Irish Uplands’, which covers the birds of our local hills and mountains that we are likely to see or hear, and wonder how they live their lives in places that we are happy to visit briefly. Our speaker, Tom Tarpey, is a local birdwatcher, a member of BirdWatch Limerick and consultant, with many years of experience, from the Shannon estuary to the Galtees, with all habitats in between. We have invited members of the Limerick branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust, and we hope to see many of you there too. Incidentally, identification swatches for many groups of insects will be on sale. (€5 each).
Rewilding is recognised as among the quickest, easiest and cheapest ways of addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis. It is exciting and hopeful but has also made some nervous. This event will look at how we can make rewilding work for people as well as nature at a landscape scale.
Date and time: March 25th from 10am to 1pm
Location: Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, Co. Longford, Keenagh, Co. Longford, N39 XT18
Speakers:
Alan McDonnell – Programme Development Manager, Trees For Life and Affric Highlands Rewilding Project
Sue Moles – Conservation Ranger for County Longford NPWS
Padraic Fogarty – Irish Wildlife Trust Campaign Officer
Hosted by IWT Dublin Branch
Once again our March outing is along the River Liffey in Springtime, and once again it’s led
by the wonderful Tim Clabon.
It’s on March 26 th , at 10:30, Remember – that’s the day the clocks go FORWARD – one hour less sleep!
Meet: Sluice Carpark, Lucan. Opposite McDonald’s