Events

 

    The Shannon Town Community Wetlands (STCW) invite you to a community networking event exploring the importance of wetlands and the exceptional work undertaken by the STCW Committee over the past 7 years. The event will explore how wetlands sustain biodiversity and help address climate change. It will also focus on how we can work to protect wetlands for our common future: supporting ecosystem and human wellbeing. It will include an exceptional illustrated talk by John O’Brien of the STCW on the history and background of wetland habitats in Shannon Town. John will also focus on the work of the Committee and the creation of the Shannon Town Community Wetlands and the key role the Committee has played in connecting the local community in Shannon with nature. The event will also include input from Dr. Pamela Bartley (Hydro-G, Galway) a renowned hydrogeologist who has worked at a national and international level on wetlands. She will input on the A to Z of hydrology and wetlands and the simple steps that community groups can do to create their own wetlands or protect the local wetlands. Wetlands specialists Ruairí Ó Conchúir (LAWPRO) will also present and will outline what local communities can do to support their own local wetlands. He will present case studies on community wetland projects and wetland resources and outline how wetlands help improve water quality, support biodiversity, and help address climate change. This event is designed for all to help us better understand why ‘‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” is so important.   Where:            Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon, V14 NH97 When:             Tuesday, 4^th February 2025 @ 8pm   This is a free event – all welcome. Followed by a networking event with tea / coffee and biscuits

 

 

Location: Buttermarket Building, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, Clare  Eircode: V95RR72

Date and Time: 7pm−8:30pm; Tuesday, 4th of February 2025.

 

Event Description:

This event is organised by Clare County Council’s Biodiversity Office to celebrate World Wetlands Day. The event will see the launch of both the Clare Wetland Story Map  and  new wetland guidelines aimed at community groups and landowners called ‘Community Action: A Beginner’s Guide to Wetlands’ .

The Clare Wetland Story Map is a new online digital interactive map that profiles ten wetland sites the public can visit and value in County Clare. It also includes a description of wetland habitats found in County Clare and a list of resources for communities, schools and landowners.

The new wetland guidance ‘Community Action: A Beginner’s Guide to Wetlands’ was developed  in conjunction with the Community Wetlands Forum, Clare County Council and Monaghan County Council.  is aimed at community groups and landowners to encourage the promotion of wetlands in their local area, or to help those who wish to embark on a wetland conservation project. This could range from including wetlands in Community Biodiversity Action Plans, undertaking a conservation project to hosting walks and talks.

The event will also provide an update on the  2024 Clare Wetland Field Surveys. Speakers will include Laurence Fullam of the Community Wetlands Forum, Patrick Crushell and Poppy Overy of Wetland Surveys Ireland and Barry O’Loughlin, Biodiversity Officer with Clare County Council. This event is aimed at communities and landowners undertaking biodiversity actions in their locality and as an educational resource.

 

 

Tuesday February 4^th 7pm

Naas Library and Cultural Centre

Talk by John Kennedy

 

John is a GIS professional and data analyst, specialising in ecological data and also works as a BirdWatch Ireland Scientific officer on the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (IWEBS). He conducts voluntary surveys at key wetland sites in Co. Kildare.

This talk will cover recording and analysis, bird population trends, and how we may be able to play a part in saving species  on the brink.

 

Tea/coffee on arrival from 6.30pm, queries to biodiversity@kildarecoco.ie

 

 

 

Monday 3rd of February  7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

St. Brigids Festival

 

To celebrate World Wetlands Day, Burren National Park guides will be running a guided walk to Knockaunroe Turlough on Sunday 2^nd February at 2.30pm. The meeting point for the walk is the Burren National Park trailhead at Gortlecka cross near Kilnaboy.

Join us on a guided walk to Knockaunroe turlough in the Burren National Park to discover this unique habitat and the flora and fauna that live there.

The walk will last about 1.5 hours over a distance of about 1.5km along a trail that is uneven in places.

As is the nature of a turlough, water levels fluctuate so wellies are recommended in case the trail is flooded.

This event is free but booking is required as places are limited. For further information and to book, people can contact the Burren National Park Information Point at 065 6827693 or burrennationalpark@npws.gov.ie

 

 

To mark World Wetland Day 2025 we are exploring some of the wildfowl that rely on the clean waters and safe refuge of Inch Wildfowl reserve. Water quality, wetland birds and the winter visitors that use Inch will be talked about and identified. Bring binoculars if you can, definitely bring warm clothes, rain gear and walking shoes. Suitable for 8 years and up. No dogs please.

Inch Wildfowl Reserve is situated to the east of Lough Swilly, approximately 8 km to the south of Buncrana. It supports a wide diversity of wintering waterfowl, notably swans and geese, as well as breeding terns, gulls, waders and duck.

Sunday February 2nd 2pm – 4pm, Inch Wildfowl reserve, Pump-house Carpark

This walk is made possible by LAWPRO, the local authority water program. https://lawaters.ie

This is a free event – please reserve your spot here: Inch Wildfowl Walk Tickets, Sun, Feb 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite

 

George’s Quay, Dundalk Port at 1.30pm on Sunday 2^nd February 2025.

Waterbirds are an important indicator of the health of our wetlands. Join Derek Watters from the BirdWatch Louth Branch this World Wetlands Day for a guided birdwatching walk along the banks of the lower reaches of the Castletown Estuary, Dundalk Bay. Attendees should meet at the at the carpark at George’s Quay.  Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Bz47W748cngbTLXo6

The loop walk along the lower reaches of the Castletown Estuary is approximately 2.5km long. Please dress appropriately for the winter weather conditions, with suitable footwear and warm protective clothing. There will be a small number of binoculars available on the day but please bring your own binoculars or telescopes if you have your own. This is a family event suitable for adults and children aged 7+. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times. Please note: This event is weather dependent and may have to be rescheduled if it is very cold, wet or windy.

Organised by the Biodiversity office at Louth County Council

 

We’re celebrating World Wetlands Day on February 2nd with a guided walk with field ornithologist Ed Carty in Inch, Co. Kerry

If you are interested in attending, meet us at Inch Church at 12.30pm on Sunday February 2nd.

Don’t forget to bring your wellies. Please  wear neutral colours- this gives the best chance to spot more birds!

Refreshments afterwards in Foley’s Bar.

Event organised by Local Authorities Water Programme and Inch Community Council.

 

Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future –The Owenduff Bog Complex Ramsar Site is one of the last intact active blanket bog systems in Ireland and Western Europe. This talk, Power of Peatlands, brought to you by The National Parks and Wildlife Service, will look at Wetland habitats and their importance, environmentally and culturally.

 Location : Wild Nephin National Park, Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Ballycroy, Westport, Co. Mayo F28 RX77

 Date: Sunday 2^nd of February

Time: 12pm

Contact details (of organiser): Mary Gavaghan 086 812 3864

 

Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve on Sunday 2^nd February from 11am.

We will be celebrating World Wetlands Day down at the Reserve with local wildlife artist Dave Daly.

Dave will be leading an informal chat and birdwatch at 11am and then again at 2pm. As spaces in the observation tower are limited, if you wish to join one of the groups we would ask that you phone the Centre on 01 5393460, email wwreducation@npws.gov.ie or DM us.

There’s no charge and it will be first come, first served

Also in the Visitor Centre we will have information on World Wetlands Day and the animals that live in the wetlands, as well as a sample of some of the creatures to be found in the water around the Reserve.

Organised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and by Wexford County Council Biodiversity Office.