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This panel discussion is free to attend and takes places in the National Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre Auditorium.
PLACES MUST BE BOOKED THROUGH EVENTBRITE: Reimagining Ireland’s Bogs: Panel Discussion and Exhibition Launch Tickets, Sat, Feb 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite
Bogs and peatlands have always been dynamic landscapes and are now at the heart of a transformative shift. This panel brings together four perspectives on Irish bogs and peatlands today, exploring research, architecture, agriculture, biodiversity and the arts, illuminating the cultural, ecological, and socio-economic transitions taking place across the midlands and the need for continued stewardship of these landscapes.
Traditionally viewed as working landscapes associated with turf-cutting and Bord na Móna, these iconic landscapes are evolving into spaces of restoration, conservation, and community and cultural renewal. This bog-inspired cultural renaissance sees writers, artists, communities and other groups reimagining their significance in Irish life. Yet threats to Ireland’s peatlands remain, as extractive activities continue in some areas and forestry and renewables are seen as appropriate after-use of the bog.
Bob Speers is an artist whose current exhibition Thin Places will be running in the gallery of the National Botanic Gardens from February 1st to 23rd. He describes the peatlands and bogs which feature in his painting as mystical or Thin Places. These are places where the boundary between our tangible world and the unseen world seem to touch.
Kate Flood is a peatland researcher exploring the cultural and social dimensions of peatlands and the role of communities in the restoration and conservation of peatlands.
Evelyn D’Arcy is an architect and co-founder of collaborative practice 12th Field. In partnership with Irish Architecture Foundation, 12th Field are currently working on Bog Bothy, a transformative place making project co-creating spaces for shelter, retreat, and deep engagement with Ireland’s evolving peat landscapes.
Katie Smirnova has worked with the FarmPEAT Project to engage with farmers and communities around the Midlands’ raised bogs. Currently, she is helping to develop the knowledge and data-sharing PeatSense Platform. This is a free event taking place the Visitor Centre Auditorium
Lough Ennell is an important site for nature conservation in Westmeath and is designated a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar Site. Lough Ennell is a haven for wildlife and the lake and fringing wetland habitats support a great biodiversity.
We would love to see you visit Lilliput, Lough Ennell on Saturday 1st February to celebrate World Wetlands Day with us, to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet.
The walk and talk will be led by two local experts – George Smith (Botanist) and Gordon Wycherley (Birdwatch Westmeath).
Meeting point: Lilliput Car Park N91 W97W
Date: 1st February Saturday
Time: 11am -1pm approx.
The walk will take 2 hours depending on the weather and you should dress appropriately for conditions! Walk distances will be short and the walking will not be strenuous, but if feasible, we may venture off it and you should wear suitable waterproofs and footwear!
Join Wild Inishowen for a walk & talk about wetlands and their importance in our landscape.
Saturday 1st February at 11am
Please bring your wellies or suitable footwear. Meeting at , Co. Donegal. F93 YN52
Refreshments provided.
Event brought to you by Inishowen Rivers Trust and Local Authority Waters Programme
Calling Local Volunteers
Come Celebrate World Wetlands Day on Saturday 1st February 2025 @ 11am
River Walk & Talk, River Clean-up, Tree Planting & Networking
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World Wetlands Day is a global event celebrating the importance of wetlands. This year’s theme is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future.” To mark this event, you are invited to celebrate local wetlands in North and West Clare with the Restore Ballymacraven River Association (RBRA). This practical community event will focus on exploring the importance of wetlands and will include a ‘Walk and Talk’, a river clean-up and tree planting in association with Hometree, along the Ballymacraven River. The field element will be followed by a networking event with tea / coffee and scones in the Falls Hotel. The event will explore how wetlands, like the Inagh Estuary and the Ballymacraven River, help sustain biodiversity and help address climate change. It will also focus on how we can work in practical ways to protect wetland sites for our common future: supporting ecosystem and human wellbeing. This is a family friendly World Wetlands Day event and is supported by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
Please bring appropriate footwear and clothing and if you wish to partake in the river clean-up or tree planting, please bring gloves, heavy duty bags, and a spade. All of these will also be provided.
Meeting: River path, Falls Hotel, Ennistymon V95 D2PC
When: Saturday, 1st February 2025 @ 11am
Free Event – All Welcome
Followed by a networking event with tea/coffee & scones in the Falls Hotel
Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day from 10am to 12pm on Saturday the 1st of February, meeting at Crank House Car Park, Banagher, Co.Offaly.
Join Brian Caffrey of BirdWatch Ireland to observe wintering waterbirds, including, waders, ducks, swans and egrets at sites along the iconic Shannon Callows close to Banagher.
The event is free of charge and please dress for forecasted weather!
Meet at 10am at Crank House Car Park, Banagher, Co. Offaly R42 DE61
Contact: biodiversity@offalycoco.ie
Saturday 1st February at 10:00am
Join Kilkenny branch of Birdwatch Ireland for an outing to Newpark Marsh
The Newpark Marsh Eco-Park is an award-winning game and bird sanctuary, and one of Kilkenny City’s most important natural habitats.
Covering an area of 9.7 hectares (23.7 acres), this multi-award-winning game and bird sanctuary and amenity area is well maintained and offers unique opportunities to view many different species of birds as well as a wide range of fauna.
birdwatchkilkenny@gmail.com or patandmarydurkin@gmail.com 056 776 2130. Also listen to KCLR or Kilkenny City Community Radio for details.
Saturday 8th February from 11 am to 5pm
Saturday 15th February from 11 am to 5 pm
Contact Information: knocksinkwood@npws.gov.ie
Link to our Facebook page: https://fb.me/e/iuFE7b2aj
The theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day is “Protecting wetlands for our common future”. The Kill-O-The-Grange stream and the Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) at Kilbogget Park , nestled within the urban setting of Cabinteely/Loughlinstown is a wonderful example of how important our wetlands are, for our wellbeing, nature’s wellbeing and our journey towards resilience in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is vital that we learn to protect the diverse array of wetland ecosystems that Ireland supports, for not only nature’s benefit, but for our common future.
Join Justin Ivory Community Water Officer with LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) and conservation ecologist Aoife O’Rourke for a 1.5-2 hour walk & talk around the Kilbogget ICW, sharing our knowledge and passion for wetlands and why they are so important.
Note: As we will be outdoors and walking off path at times please wear suitable clothing and footwear.
FREE EVENT BUT BOOKING THROUGH EVENTBRITE IS ESSENTIAL
By Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO)
