{"id":2967,"date":"2020-02-13T16:34:49","date_gmt":"2020-02-13T16:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irishwetlands.ie\/nuacht\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T16:33:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:33:42","slug":"nuacht","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.irishwetlands.ie\/ga\/nuacht\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuacht"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nuacht<\/h1><\/span>
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Rewetting project in West Clare with Clare Biodiversity Officer, a local farmer and community group<\/h2>

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A project involving rewetting sections of a blanket bog near Mullagh in west Clare is aiming to boost biodiversity in the area.\u00a0The blanket bog is being rewetted to provide a wildlife sanctuary for rare habitats and numerous species of conservation concern, including\u00a0 Merlin and Hen harrier.\u00a0The project is a collaborative effort between local farmer Se\u00e1n Tubridy, the Knocknahila Community Group, and Clare County Council.\u00a0It is the second community-led\u00a0peatland<\/a> rewetting project to be undertaken in the county and the first of its kind in west Clare.\u00a0The project, which aims to rewet sections of 27ac of peatlands, is funded by Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.independent.ie\/farming\/forestry-enviro\/clare-farmer-rewets-27-acres-of-bog-in-new-biodiversity-project-we-hope-this-can-be-an-example-to-others\/a1624588728.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Tara Challoner<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2025-04-18T12:26:57+00:00<\/span>18\/04\/2025<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Irish Ramsar Meeting in Meath<\/h2>

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Members of the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee\u00a0 met recently to\u00a0 receive updates from Ramsar Europe and to discuss our objectives for the coming year.\u00a0 We were facilitated by NPWS at Ireland’s newest National Park, \u00a0Br\u00fa na B\u00f3inne\u00a0 which forms part of the World Heritage Property here\u00a0 set within an extensive demesne\u00a0 along the River Boyne and valley in County Meath.<\/p>\n

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We listened\u00a0 to a very interesting talk from Shirley Clerkin project manager of the innovative T\u00f3char, an exciting wetlands restoration project in the Midlands. for more about what is happening under this project, see here Home – T\u00f3char Wetlands<\/a><\/p>\n

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Our visit coincided with the arrival of some special visitors. These Old Irish Goats are being introduced for conservation grazing to help restore part of the estate. The Old Irish Goat is Ireland\u2019s indigenous landrace breed, now critically endangered and only found in remote mountain ranges roaming in feral herds.\u00a0 Using these goats to help restore habitats by their grazing helps to conserve the breed.<\/p>\n

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By Tara Challoner<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2025-04-18T11:57:27+00:00<\/span>18\/04\/2025<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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River clean up Event walk and talk on the Inagh\/Ballymacraven rivers<\/h2>

Date: Saturday March 1st<\/p>\n

Time 11.00 am<\/p>\n

Location: Meet at river path below front of Falls Hotel, Ennistymon (V95 D2PC)<\/p>\n

All welcome. Please bring pickers, gloves and used heavy duty bags.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Tara Challoner<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2025-02-28T14:10:11+00:00<\/span>28\/02\/2025<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Community Action: A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Wetlands<\/h2>

The Community Wetlands Forum in association with Monaghan and Clare County Council Biodiversity officers have published a lovely and comprehensive guide to wetlands, especially designed for communities.\u00a0 Follow this link:\u00a0 Irish Wetlands<\/a><\/p>\n

This guide contains information on different wetland habitat types and provides\u00a0 step- by -step guide for communities wishing to protect or manage a wetland.<\/p>\n

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By Tara Challoner<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2025-02-28T13:57:30+00:00<\/span>28\/02\/2025<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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WWD – World Wetlands Day fast approaching. Lots of national event details to be posted very shortly<\/h2>

With World Wetland’s Day fast-approaching, keep an eye on this page and our Twitter feed for a large number of events on dates in and around 2nd February in celebration of wetlands in Ireland. In addition to events by IRWC committee members and their respective organisations, a number of NGOs, community groups and others are organising events – details of these will be posted here in the next few days. Watch out for an event near you!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Tara Challoner<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2025-01-22T13:58:22+00:00<\/span>22\/01\/2025<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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World Wetlands Day 2024 – 20 counties hosting around 40 events<\/h2>

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Our events page has the most up-to-date listing of the many and varied events happening around the island next month.<\/p>\n

Many organisations have gone the extra mile this year to help celebrate wetlands and create opportunities for the public to gain a deeper enjoyment and appreciation.<\/p>\n

NOTE THAT ON THE EVENTS https:\/\/www.irishwetlands.ie\/events\/<\/a>PAGES CLICK NEXT\u00a0<\/em><\/strong> AT THE BOTTOM<\/strong>, AS THE NUMBER OF EVENTS RUNS OVER SEVERAL PAGES. Few counties have no events (yet) and a number have multiple events happening.<\/p>\n

A truly island-wide suite of activities in celebration of World Wetland’s Day with us punching well above our weight globally with respect to participation.<\/p>\n

All sorts of events – outdoor walks, seminars, book launches, music, story-telling – you name it<\/strong>. Most are free and some you can join online from home.<\/p>\n

Community groups, the Community Wetlands Forum, Local Authorities, LAWPRO, The Heritage Council, RSPB, Ulster Wildlife, Local Councils in NI, BTO, BirdWatch Ireland, NPWS.. the list goes on! An astounding effort which will undoubtedly do a great deal of awareness-raising for wetlands and their importance.<\/p>\n

Undoubtedly some additional events will be posted here (details are awaited) so keep an eye on these pages and do enjoy your events and thank you all, organiser’s and participants.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Kendrew Colhoun<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2024-01-29T13:12:26+00:00<\/span>28\/01\/2024<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Get ready for World Wetland’s Day 2024!!<\/h2>

World Wetland’s Day (WWD) is an annual global event celebrated annually on 02 February. The day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 02 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the mightly Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n

The Standing Committee of the Convention has approved the theme of WWD in 2024 as “Wetlands and human wellbeing”.<\/p>\n

The education team have produced very valuable accessible resources for universal access here:\u00a0http:\/\/www.worldwetlandsday.org<\/a>\u00a0in multiple languages – these include posters, a campaign toolkit, powerpoint presentation, infographics and a video.. and more.<\/p>\n

Wetlands need our help and to raise awareness about their importance for the proper functioning of the planet, as well as for our physical and human wellbeing across Ireland in and around February 2nd we will be signposting many events. These will be signposted here over coming weeks. If you wish to run an event in your local wetland sites please get in touch – we will try to support you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Kendrew Colhoun<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2023-12-05T12:37:06+00:00<\/span>05\/12\/2023<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Launch of the new Community Wetlands Forum CLG<\/h2>

Congratulations to the CWF team who announced their establishment as a newly independent company limited by guarantee, and in doing so, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards community-led wetland management.<\/p>\n

The launch event, held on Monday 4 December 2023 at the Hudson Bay Hotel, Athlone on the edge of Lough Ree was attended by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD.<\/p>\n

In existence for over 10 years, the CWF has a membership of over 40 community groups across Ireland. Members are undertaking projects across 23 protected or designated sites across Ireland, covering over 2270ha of wetlands.<\/p>\n

The CWF invites everyone with an interest in wetland conservation and rural community development to get in touch. Find out more here: CWF website<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Kendrew Colhoun<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2023-12-05T12:24:54+00:00<\/span>05\/12\/2023<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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World Wetland’s Day 2023 events<\/h2>

A number of national events are happening on or around the 2nd February nationally to celebrate World Wetland’s Day in Ireland. From bog restoration projects in the midlands to coastal waterbirds on the south coast, experts from the IRWC and partners (incl NPWS, Trinity College, local Heritage Officers, partner projects (incl Wild Atlantic Nature, LIFE on Machair, Coastwatch, Bord na Mona, LAWPRO and BirdWatch Ireland) are running online and outdoor events to walk and talk all things wetlands. Further details on all the events are being posted on the EVENTS page (https:\/\/www.irishwetlands.ie\/events\/) and check back as a few more events will be added shortly. <\/p>\n

Note that useful resources for free download to support events or otherwise use for raising awareness about wetlands are available on the WWD website at https:\/\/www.worldwetlandsday.org\/resources <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By Kendrew Colhoun<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2023-01-20T14:41:08+00:00<\/span>20\/01\/2023<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Winners of the World Wetlands Day photo competition announced!<\/h2>
\"The<\/a><\/span><\/div>

The River Lee, Ballincollig.\u00a0 \u2018Lovely sense of place and time of year\u2019<\/em>.\u00a0 Overall winner (under 18) of the World Wetlands Day Photo Competition. Photo taken by Lucy Gallagher.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Whooper<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Whooper Swans rising from Kilcolman Fen. \u2019Very well captured. Evocative. I can hear them calling\u2019<\/em>. The overall winner (over 18) of the World Wetlands Day photo competition.\u00a0 Photo taken by James McGrath.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Award-winning wildlife camera man Colin Stafford-Johnson kindly agreed to select the overall winners of the World Wetlands Day Photo Competition.\u00a0 The WWD photo competition was organised by the IRWC<\/a> and Wetlands Surveys Ireland<\/a> to mark 50 years since the signing of the Ramsar Convention. The competition which ran over four months in 2021 had a great response and monthly winners were posted on the IRWC website<\/a>.\u00a0 The winners will each receive a framed copy of their photo and an OPW Family Heritage Card.<\/p>\n

The overall winner of the under 18 category was Lucy Gallagher from Cork.\u00a0 Colin Stafford -Johnson commented that this photo gave a \u2018Lovely sense of place and time of year\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The overall winner of the over 18 category was James McGrath, also from Cork . Colin Stafford -Johnson commented that the Whooper Swans were, \u2019Very well captured. Evocative. I can hear them calling\u2019<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Fine praise indeed for two photos which represent Ireland\u2019s wonderful, varied, and vital wetlands.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Colin Stafford-Johnson for judging the overall competition winners, to members of the IRWC (Niamh Fitzgerald of BirdWatch Ireland, Tadgh O\u2019Mahony of the EPA, Mary Roache of Teagasc) and to Patrick Crushell of Wetland Surveys Ireland for judging the monthly competition winners.\u00a0 Thanks to the National Biodiversity Data Centre for their monthly prizes of Identification Swatch Packs and to the OPW for the overall winner prize of a Family Heritage Card.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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By IRWC<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2022-11-25T15:49:06+00:00<\/span>02\/03\/2022<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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World Wetlands Day 2021<\/h2>
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Raising global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are facing a growing freshwater crisis that threatens people and our planet. We use more freshwater than nature can replenish, and we are destroying the ecosystem that water and all life depend on most \u2013 Wetlands.<\/p>\n

The 2021 campaign highlights the contribution of wetlands to the quantity and quality of freshwater on our planet. Water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence that is vital to life, our wellbeing and the health of our planet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Share your personal note\u00a0on \u201cwhy you value wetlands\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0See\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/www.worldwetlandsday.org\/notes<\/a><\/p>\n

See also https:\/\/www.worldwetlandsday.org\/events<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow us on Twitter\u00a0@RamsarIreland<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By IRWC<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2022-11-25T15:49:59+00:00<\/span>08\/01\/2021<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Ireland’s Rivers<\/h2>

\"Ireland'sRivers are said to be the veins, and streams the capillaries, that carry freshwater, the scarce lifeblood of the Earth. However, freshwaters are experiencing species extinctions at a rate faster than any other ecosystem, and human activities are threatening our survival through overexploiting and degrading water quality. Rivers have been channelled, buried underground, dammed, diverted and polluted; some so over-abstracted that their waters no longer reach the sea. With abundant rainfall, Irish rivers are less damaged than many of those in other countries, but most have water quality problems that can impact the quality of our lives and economic activities, as shortages of safe water supplies have demonstrated.This timely book aims to raise awareness of Ireland’s fantastic and often undervalued river resource, andthe importance of changing our behaviour and policies to ensure that we keep it in a healthy condition forits sustainable benefits, as well as protection of its biodiversity. The book captures the expertise of 39 Irishfreshwater experts to provide an up-to-date account on the evolution of Ireland’s rivers and their flowcharacteristics, biodiversity and how humans have depended on, used and abused our rivers through time.Irish rivers include types that are rare elsewhere in Europe and support a wide range of aquatic organisms and processes. In Ireland’s Rivers there are chapters on their hydrology and on their animal and plant life, on crayfish, fish and pearl mussels, and on aquatic birds and mammals, describing their importance and the threats to their survival such as pollution and loss of habitat. There are case studies of characteristic but contrasting Irish rivers, the Avonmore, Burrishoole, Araglin and the mighty Shannon, and information on invasive aquatic species. Water quality and river management are underlying themes. Ireland’s Rivers concludes with some suggestions for ways that individuals, households, communities and policy makers can help protect the health and beauty of our rivers and their wildlife.<\/p>\n

Contributor(s):<\/strong> Mary Kelly-Quinn (editor), Julian D Reynolds (editor)
\nFormat:<\/strong> Hardback,
\nPublication date:<\/strong> 1st July 2020
\nISBN-13:<\/strong> 9781910820551
\nAuthor Biography:<\/strong> Mary Kelly-Quinn is a freshwater ecologist and Associate Professor in the School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin. Julian D. Reynolds is a freshwater ecologist, and former Head of the Department of Zoology in Trinity College Dublin.<\/p>\n

Buy this Book<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

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By IRWC<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2022-11-25T15:52:03+00:00<\/span>13\/11\/2020<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Community Wetlands Handbook now available<\/h2>
\"Community<\/span><\/div>
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This handbook was produced by the Community Wetlands Forum (CWF) as part of a small scale study funded by the EPA under\u00a0its IRWC remit.\u00a0\u00a0It is\u00a0a very useful resource for any community group involved in wetland conservation or management projects.<\/p>\n

The handbook is available at the following links:\u00a0Google Drive<\/a> and Dropbox<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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By IRWC<\/a><\/span><\/span>|<\/span>2022-11-25T15:54:04+00:00<\/span>13\/02\/2020<\/span>|<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/article>\n
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Diary Dates 2020<\/h2>

Some dates for your diary in 2020<\/p>\n