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Guided Nature Walk with IWT Waterford Branch
Join the IWT Waterford Branch for June nature walk.
The next outing of the Waterford branch of the IWT is on Sunday 11th June. The destination will be Kilcash, Slievenamon, Co.Tipperary (Cill Cais). The leader will be Emma Verling.
Date: 11th June
Time: 13:00
Location: Meet at Kilsheelan at 1.00 on the R706 (north of village) outside the primary school. 52°21’46.7″N 7°34’49.7″W
Hosted by IWT Dublin Branch
Join Dublin Branch for a marvelous guided tour of the park on Sunday, June 18th, and led by a Green expert on all the biodiversity of the Green. Meet at the Fusiliers’ Arch (top of Grafton Street) at 12 noon for an insight to a part of Dublin you may not recognise.
See you there!
The Limerick Branch of IWT are hosting the next outing to the Grageen bog and fen, Co. Limerick
Date: Saturday 15th July 23 at 11.30 am.
Limited numbers, please book in by Thurs 15thJuly 23 at limerickevents@iwt.ie
Booking is essential please email limerickevents@iwt.ie to book
Hosted by IWT Dublin Branch
Join Dublin Branch for the ever popular Wild Flower walk on Bull Island.
It’s on Sunday 16th July at 11am .
Come along with Niall Mac Coitir of IWT Dublin Branch, to see some of the amazing variety of wildflowers on Bull Island at this time of year, including several species of orchid! The display rivals anything that can be seen in the Burren.
Meet at the Interpretative Centre, next to the Causeway at 11am.
The event will last about two hours. Wear sensible shoes and, this being Ireland, sunscreen AND rain gear.
Please be advised the terrain we’ll be covering is slightly rough so would not be suitable for buggies – and wear ‘sensible’ shoes!
See you there!
Hosted by IWT Waterford Branch
Join Waterford Branch for the Bat Walk this summer.
It’s on Thursday 3rd August at 9:30pm .
Meet at Killotteran carpark at 9.30 p.m. We will head along the Greenway at the back of Mount Congreve.
See you there!
A Nature walk on West Limerick Greenway, including Barnagh Tunnel. The leader is Paul Murphy, a local botanist. There are around 100 species of wild plants in the area, with a particular abundance of liverworts, mosses, and ferns.
This tunnel is one of the more evocative features of the now closed Limerick-Tralee Railway. It was opened in 1880 and is 115m long. It is situated at nearly 170m above sea level and was excavated with explosives and pickaxes. The rock cuttings on either side of the tunnel have reverted to nature and are an impressive sight.
Bring raingear and take care of children as it is an active cycleway.
Numbers are limited to 25 and places must be booked at limerickevents@iwt.ie.
Date: 12th August
Time: 11:00
Location: West Limerick Greenway, including Barnagh Tunnel, Co. Limerick
Join the Irish Wildlife Trust for a free Heritage Week event hosted by the National Botanic Gardens.
At this exciting evening bat walk you will have the opportunity to walk the National Botanic Gardens at dusk with an Irish Wildlife Trust in search of beautiful bats. We will learn about the life-cycle of these fascinating creatures and hopefully get to see and hear some of the bats of the Bots.
Please bring warm clothes and a torch as this event takes place after sunset. Children are welcome to attend but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Booking essential – please book on or join the event waiting list using this link https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/heritage-week-bat-walk-with-the-irish-wildlife-trust-tickets-689892786897?aff=oddtdtcreator
Date: 15th August
Time: 20:45 – 22:45 IST
Location: National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Botanic Road Glasnevin Dublin 9
Hosted by IWT Waterford Branch
Join Waterford Branch for the September Walk.
It’s on Sunday 10th September.
Bill Shepherd will lead a walk to the Suir estuary to Duncannon Fort, Co.Wexford, on September 10th.
He will introduce us to the geological heritage and landscape found within the fort stone walls. We willl also learn about the history of the fort itself with a local tour guide. Low tide is at 10 so we plan to meet at the Passage car ferry at 10 to carpool or at 10.30 at Duncannon. The duration will be 2 .5 hours.
Please sign up the form here if you are interested in the IWT walk led by Bill Shepherd.
An Environmental Walk in the Sliabh Felim’s in association with Limerick Climbing Club. The leader is our chairperson Mike Quirke.
Rock, plant and animals of Slieve Felim’s. See different plants from our Spring walk and also the same plants as last time, but in fruit. An easy climb for about 3.5 hours.
For IWT members:
The meeting place is in Murroe, Co. Limerick. Participants must book in with IWTLB at limerickevents@iwt.ie. by Thursday 14th September. Final details will be emailed to participants.
Hosted by Irish Wildlife Trust Dublin
The September outing is the popular rockpool event – loved by with younger ecologists and their parents.
Meet at the Martello Tower, beside the White Sands Hotel at 11:00. There’s a bus stop next to it, and the DART is within walking.
Bring nets and containers – as will we.
No falling in – not even by accident. And that includes the young ones too.
Wear sensible, sensible, sensible footwear – no flip-flops.
Date & Time: 11:00 am start, Sunday 24th September.
Location: Martello Tower, Portmarnock.
More info: dublinbranch@iwt.ie
We’re back with our first webinar after the summer break. The Irish Wildlife Trust, Fair Seas and Dr.Emma McKinley will be on to speak about Ireland’s Ocean Literacy Survey
Join us on 3rd October at 7pm to learn about the LIFE Machair project with Project Manager Dr Catherine Farrell.
LIFE on Machair a six year project developed to work with farmers, landowners and local communities in a bid to protect and restore Ireland’s network of Machair systems and associated breeding wader and pollinator communities.
Join Limerick Branch for a captivating Fungi Foray in Curraghchase Forest Park on October 14th, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Discover the fascinating world of mushrooms in this enchanting natural setting. Hurry, as spots are limited!!
Numbers are limited and booking is required. Please book your place at limerickevents@iwt.ie by Thursday 12th October 2023. Final details will be emailed to participants.
Hosted by IWT Waterford Branch
Join Waterford Branch for the October Walk in Coillte na Leacan.
Meet at Carpark at 13.30 or An Ché, Ros Mhic Threoin ar a 1.00 a chlog.
See you there!
Theme: Autumn Woodland Wonders.
There are four age categories with a prize for the winner in each category. The age categories are 6 and under; 7 to 9; 10 to 12 and 13 to 16 years.
The prize for each winner is one wildlife book from our online shop, plus one year of Irish Wildlife Trust membership and a t-shirt from our online shop or organic range.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE COMPETITION IS 17:00 on the 3rd November.
More details click here
Public Talk by Sinéad McDonnell, Environment Awareness Officer, Limerick City and County Council.
Hosted by Irish Wildlife Trust – Dublin branch
Once again, thanks to the marvellous OPW, we have an outing to see the fascinating annual deer rut in the Phoenix Park.
In late Autumn each year the Fallow Deer bucks mate, with a spectacular display of ‘maleness’.
We meet at the steps at the foot of the Papal Cross on Sunday, October 22nd, at 11:00 am. The paths are (hopefully) OK, but not, unfortunately, suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
Bring binoculars (or even a scope!) if you have them!
Date & Time: 11:00 am start – 13:00 pm finish, Sunday 22nd October
Location: Phoenix Park, meeting point at the Papal Cross car park
When: 12ú Samhain/12th November
Where: Inis Tíog/ Inistioge: River Barrow walk
Meet at: the village at 13.00 (NB NOT 13.30 due to shortening daytime)
What to bring: suitable footwear for gravelly tracks with wet leaves
For details and booking: iwtwaterfordbranch@gmail.com
Hosted by Irish Wildlife Trust – Dublin branch
Join IWT Dublin Branch on fascinating fossil outing with Aodhán, our brilliant paleontologist, you will explore the fabulous fossil bank at Portmarnock.
Meet at the Martello Tower, beside the White Sands Hotel at 11:00. Wear appropriate footwear – good boots or wellies. And bring paper for rubbings – ordinary A4 sheets and crayons such as Twistables Crayons. And it’s now WINTER! Dress up well.
Date & Time: 11:00 am start, November 19th 2023.
Location: Martello Tower, beside the White Sands Hotel.
Join us online at 7.30pm on the 21st of November for an online screening of ‘Fair Seas’ latest film ‘The Atlantic Northwest.’ The film recently won the award of Exceptional Merit at the Documentaries Without Borders Film International Festival.
We will have Dr. Easkey Britton speaking on what the beautiful North West coast of Ireland means to her as well as hearing a short extract from her new book ‘Ebb and Flow’. The film spoke to several different stakeholders about Marine Protected Areas, including anglers, divers, tourism operators and seafood producers. We will have several participants from the film on a panel following the screening to answer questions.
Register here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ye5nSFO8RS6QBAefVTIZ2g
Hosted by Irish Wildlife Trust – Limerick Branch
Join IWT Limerick Branch for Public Talk on the EU Nature Restoration Law with Oonagh Duggan from BirdWatch Ireland in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Date: Wed 22 November 2023
Time: 7.45pm
Location: Room T1.17 (Tara building), Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Hosted by IWT Dublin Branch
Before COVID we had brilliant December outings to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, where the marvellous people in the Gardens very kindly agreed to lead the IWT Dublin branch on a mid-Winter tour – “The Bots in Winter”.
While the gardens were absolutely gorgeous all year round, the “hidden bits” at this time were fascinating
Now again we’re back there. We meet at the Bots at 11:00 on Sunday, December 10th for what we suspect will again be a much different ‘Winter’, since climate change seems to have had a huge effect on the growth. As with all our outings, enthusiasts of all ages are welcome, but be prepared for Irish weather – and, in particular, make sure younger enthusiasts are well wrapped up.
And parking at the Bots can be problematic. Your best bet might be to find somewhere safe and legal within walking distance – and walk!
And, again, we need committee members. There’s not much involved, but we’d LOVE to get our Green Drinks back again. Could you please help – approach anyone in an IWT Hi-Viz at the Bots.
Date & Time: December 10th @ 11am
Location: the Bots, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
The regular monthly walks with IWT Waterford Branch will start again for 2024 this Sunday!
Location: Meet at Passage East for a beach walk in the Woodstown direction.
Map co-ordinates: 52.23853, -6.97120
Time & Date: 1pm 14/01/2024
Join us for a webinar on the importance of the EU Nature Restoration Law and what it means agriculture and nature. After a quick overview of the law and what has happened so far, we will hear from Dr. Guy Pe’er, who specialises in agroecology and conservation biology. He has a particular interest in agriculture, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and how it affects both people and nature.
For more details on Dr. Pe’er’s work, visit his page on iDiv or find him on X.
This event require registration. Please register here.
Bring binoculars and telescopes if you have them, but the branch should have some to share.
And there will be some clambering – so sensible footwear is required.
And remember to wrap up well.
Join us for an in person screening of Fair Seas latest film ‘The Atlantic Northwest.’ The film recently won the award of Exceptional Merit at the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival and has been selected as a finalist for the Big Blue Film Festival in Oregon USA. The film spoke to different stakeholders including anglers, divers, tourism operators and seafood producers on what the ocean means to them and how they think Marine Protected Areas will affect their local area.
After the screening we will have a panel discussion focused around Marine Protected Areas in Ireland and the chance to discuss ideas with a number of experts from different fields.
Event requires registration. Please register here.
Location: Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny. Port Road, F92 C8HD, Letterkenny, Ireland.
Join us at Tralee Wetland centre on Saturday the 17th February at 3.30pm for an event exploring some of the ecosystems and species found in Kerry and across Ireland. We will also discuss the importance of national and EU legislation, such as the Nature Restoration Law and the new Irish Marine Protected Area bill, in protecting and restoring these areas and the species that rely on them.
Gerard Skollard from the IWT Kerry branch will speak about some of the work being done in Kerry by IWT and other environmental groups. Sean Kelly, Member of the European Parliament will join us to talk about his ‘Bee Better’ campaign and the need for healthy pollinator populations. We will also hear from Louise Overy on some of the work being done in the community around seagrass, oysters and elasmobranchs. Grace Carr, Marine Advocacy Officer with the IWT will give an overview of the Nature Restoration Law and it’s importance to marine ecosystems. Fair Seas will also give an update on the national Marine Protected Area legislation and where we are in the process
More speakers are to be confirmed so keep an eye on our social media and future newsletters for more details.
This event requires registration, so please register here: REGISTRATION LINK
Date: Saturday the 17th February
Time: 3.30pm
Location: Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Ballyard Rd, Ballyard, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Once again our March outing is led by the wonderful Tim Clabon, and, once again it’s along a river – this time the Dodder.
It’s on March 24th, at 10:30, Meet at the Dodder Waterfall. It’s beside bus stops for S6, S8, 49, 65B and right beside Old Bawn Shopping Centre.
Just a stroll along the bank of the River Dodder, looking at some of the wildlife that occurs around this area in what used to be called Spring!
Bring rainwear and good walking shoes or boots.
For more info or enquiries on this event please contact Dublin Branch on dublinbranch@iwt.ie.
Join Dublin Branch member Niall Mac Coitir on a guided walk to see some of the trees, wild flowers and birds indeed all the biodiversity to be found in St. Anne’s Park in Clontarf. Niall Mac Coitir is the author of Ireland’s Trees: Myths, Legends and Folklore.
Location: St. Anne’s Park in Clontarf.
Meeting Point: Red Stables
Time & Date: 11:00, April 21st.
Please note: We’ll be mostly on paths – but wear sensible footwear. Car parking in St Anne’s Park can be problematical. You might be best parking nearby (don’t block driveways) and walking. Bus 130 leaves you at the gate. Raheny Dart station is 5ish minutes by bike – and you can bring the bike on the Dart.
If you have any queries, please contact the Dublin branch directly. Email: DublinBranch@iwt.ie
Location: King’s Island, Limerick City
Meeting Point: The Potato Market on Merchants Quay
Time & Date: 11:00, April 27th.
If you are interested in improving your plant identification skills, we recommend downloading the free app: Flora Incognito ahead of the vent.
This walk is open to all!
For any queries, please contact the IWT Limerick Branch directly, email: limerickbranch@iwt.ie
Location: Cappagh House, County Waterford. Meet for car pooling at Butlerstown retail centre at 13.30.
Time & Date: 14:00, May 12th
On World Bee Day, join the Irish Wildlife Trust and NPWS to discover the bumblebees and other bugs that make their home in Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve. The walk will explore the pollinating insects and flowering plants found in the Knocksink Wood Nature Reserve and surrounding area. You will learn about wild irish bee and wildflower identification as well as woodland ecology.
Date: 20.05.2024
Time: 15:00
Meeting point: Confirmed on booking
Price: Free
Booking info: All ages welcome, booking is essential, email knocksinkwood@npws.gov.ie. Dogs (excepting guide dogs) are not permitted.
Contact: knocksinkwood@npws.gov.ie
Location: Waterford Greenway.
Meeting point: Confirmed upon booking
Join the Irish Wildlife Trust for an educational event where you will discover the world of Ireland’s wild bees. You will learn how to identify and submit sightings of commonly encountered Irish bees as well as how you can help by creating bee friendly habitat. This event will consist of a short talk followed by a walk around the garden when we hopefully spot lots of bees and practice our identification skills.
This free event is part of National Biodiversity Week and is being run in collaboration between the Irish Wildlife Trust and the National Botanic Gardens.
Date: Sat 25th May
Time: 11:00 to 13:00.
Meeting point: Visitors Centre, The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Price: Free of charge
Booking info: Link
Contact: botanicscentre@opw.ie
The Limerick Branch of IWT (IWTLB) are hosting two events in Curraghchase Forest Park on Sunday 26th May 2024 from 11.30-13.00 in association with Kilcornan Tidy Towns. Dragonflies and Butterflies at the Lake; Woodland Plants in the Woods.
Date: 26.05.2024
Time: 11:30 – 13:00
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Price: Free
Booking info: To book on please email requesting a place on either “Dragonflies” or “Woodland Plants” to limerickevents@iwt.ie
Event Contact: limerickbranch@iwt.ie