EVENTS
Events and resources by community groups and other organisations are listed here as well as Ramsar Site Guided Events.
More events will be added, please check back for updates.
Online Resource
View Leitrim’s Wetland Wealth Story Map, which showcases the wetland habitats of County Leitrim.
Leitrim County Council commissioned a wetland desk-based study in 2019 to map and document all wetland areas in the county. This study estimated that 23.5% of county Leitrim is covered in wetlands, a significant area of which has never been surveyed. The Leitrim Wetland Survey 2021 carried out a field survey of 35 freshwater wetlands in South Leitrim for which little or no habitat or ecological information was available, but which were deemed likely to contain habitats of biodiversity interest. This survey identified sites of international, national, and local biodiversity importance. This Story Map presents the highlights from these surveys and has recommendations on wetlands to visit in Leitrim.
Link to Story Map: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4415f51e1311437f8f0f5c7be4cdb90c
Event Organiser: Leitrim County Council
Contact Name: Sarah Malone
Email: smalone@leitrimcoco.ie
Ramsar Site Guided Event
A guided walk around Lough Ballyallia, a vital wintering ground for huge numbers of duck, geese, swans and waders. Bring telescopes and binoculars if you have them.
Location: Ennis, Co. Clare
Date: 30th Jan 2022
Time: 10:00 am
Max places: 20
Event duration: Couple of hours
Meeting point: Car Park near the slipway on Ballyalla Grove
Latitude-longitude: 52.874879, -8.970579
Lead contact: Jamie Durrant
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address: jamie.durrant@housing.gov.ie
Ramsar Site Guided Event
Guided walk with Andrew Cox and Denis Cullen of the Irish Wildlife Trust along the saltmarsh, mudflat and sand dunes habitat of the Special Area of Conservation.
Location: Tramore, Co. Waterford
Date: Saturday 5th Feb 2022
Time: 12:00 noon
Meeting point: Meet at car park beside by the Shingle ridge leading to the dunes.
Latitude-longitude: 52.15864478170457, -7.13204672840897
Lead contact: Bernadette Guest
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address: bguest@waterfordcouncil.ie
Ramsar Site Guided Event
A guided walk along the shore of Coole Lough with the local Ranger. We will look at the ecology of the turlough and hopefully see some wetland birds including duck, swans and waders. Bring telescopes and binoculars if you have them. Suitable for all ages. Numbers limited.
Location: Coole Park, Co. Galway
Date: 30th Jan 2022
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm
Max places: 20
Event duration: 2 hours
Meeting point: Outside Coole Park Visitor Centre
Latitude-longitude: 53.092818408274624, -8.837947405482895
Lead contact: Raymond Stephens
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address: raymond.stephens@housing.gov.ie
Ramsar Site Guided Event
A fieldtrip to demonstrate how waterbirds are surveyed through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS). Hundreds of I-WeBS counters (volunteers, NPWS and BirdWatch Ireland staff) monitor waterbirds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). We’re always in need of new experienced counters, so if you are interested in finding out more about the survey methods, and have a telescope, why not come along? This outing is accompanied by an online event (Thursday 27th of January, 18:30-20:30) to detail the methods and findings of the survey as well as tips for identifying waterbirds. As always, existing I-WeBS participants are welcome to attend workshops as well.
To find out more about I-WeBS visit the website. I-WeBS is funded by NPWS and coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland. These workshops are kindly funded by the EPA.
Location: Cartron Marsh, Cummeen Strand, Sligo
Date: 6th Feb 2022
Time: 10:30am
Max places: 15
Event duration: Roughly two and a half hours
Meeting point: Cartron Village
Latitude-longitude: 54.28270953300695, -8.47664231899821
Lead contact: Niamh Fitzgerald
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address:: nfitzgerald@birdwatchireland.ie
Registration deadline: 3rd Feb 2022
Ramsar Site Guided Event
To celebrate World Wetlands Day 2022 why not come to Pollardstown Fen in County Kildare on February 5th and meet Killian Brennan of the National Parks & Wildlife Service and Tristram Whyte of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council for a nice morning walk around the Special Area of Conservation and designated Ramsar Wetland. Learn about the importance of protecting Ireland’s wetlands while we enjoy the amazing wetland views.
Location: Pollardstown Fen, County Kildare
Date: 5th Feb 5th 2022
Time: 10:00am
Event duration: 2 hours
Meeting point: Pollardstown Fen car park
Latitude-longitude: 53.183590788912205, -6.845790029810671
Lead contact: Tristram Whyte
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address: irishwetlands.ie@gmail.com
Registration deadline: 4th Feb 2022
Free outdoor talks
With the advent of Covid19 and the subsequent lockdowns, the deer population have become regular sightings on the fen, venturing out onto walkways and becoming part of the fen experience. To mark World Wetlands Day, local ecologist Tom O’ Bryne will tell the story of the 100 acre Clogheenmilcon Fen Wetlands and its relationship with these beautiful Sika deer.
Speaker: Tom O’ Byrne
Date: Sunday 6th Feb
Time: 12 noon and 2pm (same talk). Each one hour duration.
Max places: 30. Please observe social distancing regulations.
Event Organiser: Brand Blarney
SIGN UP HERE
12 noon talk:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clogheenmilcon-fen-wetlands-of-blarney-the-sika-deer-noon-talk-tickets-254594227187
2pm talk:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clogheenmilcon-fen-wetlands-of-blarney-the-sika-deer-tickets-251119935487
Meeting point location: Clogheenmilcon Fen, Blarney, Cork – central car park.
Latitude-longitude: 51.93145985982161, -8.544078180973141
Contact name: Deborah Maguire
Contact email: deborah@brandblarney.com
This recording of The Blarney Rose was made by Brand Blarney with the help of local musicians to mark the beginning of a project to enhance the Clogheenmilcon Fen. It gives an aerial view of the 100-acre Fen – a view most people never see.
Ramsar Site Guided Event
This training day is aimed at anyone wishing to learn about and participate in the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS). Running for more than 20 years, I-WeBS is one of Ireland’s longest running national wildlife surveys and I-WeBS counters record water birds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). The Irish Wetland Bird Survey is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage) and is coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland.
The day will start off with an online presentation at Lough Gur Visitor Centre by the I-WeBS National Coordinator Niamh Fitzgerald who will give a background to waterbirds and waterbird counting in Ireland. Lesley Lewis from the I-WeBS office will be present to answer any questions before leading the field visit part of this training day, where participants will be able to practice by counting the waterbirds of Lough Gur.
This workshop is being held in conjunction with World Wetlands Day, which is on February 2nd. This day celebrates the formation of the Ramsar Convention which promotes the wise use and protection of wetlands. This day is an opportunity to coordinate global, national and local efforts to raise awareness about and celebrate wetlands (of all shapes and sizes). The Irish Ramsar Committee are encouraging everyone to attend, or indeed host, events throughout Ireland in honour of this day. To view or register events on the weeks surrounding WWD, visit: https://www.irishwetlands.ie/world-wetlands-day-2022/
Event Organiser: Kate Harrold
Date: February 5th 2022
Time: 11am
Max places: 20
Latitude-longitude: 52.53031, -8.50735
Contact name: Kate Harrold
Contact email: kate@loughgur.com
Ramsar Site Guided Event
A fieldtrip to demonstrate how waterbirds are surveyed through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS). Hundreds of I-WeBS counters (volunteers, NPWS and BirdWatch Ireland staff) monitor waterbirds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). We’re always in need of new experienced counters, so if you are interested in finding out more about the survey methods, and have a telescope, why not come along? This outing is accompanied by an online event (Thursday 27th of January, 18:30-20:30) to detail the methods and findings of the survey as well as tips for identifying waterbirds. As always, existing I-WeBS participants are welcome to attend workshops as well.
To find out more about I-WeBS visit the website. I-WeBS is funded by NPWS and coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland. These workshops are kindly funded by the EPA.
Location: Dundalk Docks
Date: 30th Jan 2022
Time: 11.30am
Max places: 15
Event duration: Roughly two and a half hours
Meeting point: The Spirit Store
Latitude-longitude: 54.00914810695336, -6.389983200292752
Lead contact: Niamh Fitzgerald
SIGN UP HERE – send an email with your name to the following address: nfitzgerald@birdwatchireland.ie
Registration deadline: 29th Jan 2022
Ramsar Site Guided Event
A fieldtrip to demonstrate how waterbirds are surveyed through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS). Hundreds of I-WeBS counters (volunteers, NPWS and BirdWatch Ireland staff) monitor waterbirds at wetland sites across the country during the winter ‘non-breeding’ season (September to March). We’re always in need of new experienced counters, so if you are interested in finding out more about the survey methods, and have a telescope, why not come along? This outing is accompanied by an online event (Thursday 27th of January, 18:30-20:30) to detail the methods and findings of the survey as well as tips for identifying waterbirds. As always, existing I-WeBS participants are welcome to attend workshops as well.
To find out more about I-WeBS visit the website. I-WeBS is funded by NPWS and coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland. These workshops are kindly funded by the EPA.
Event Organiser: BirdWatch Ireland (Niamh Fitzgerald)
Link to event details: https://form.jotform.com/220181507719353
Date: 29th Feb 2022
Time: 10:30am-1pm
Meeting point location: The Long Point, Lake Rd, Knockanima, Loughrea, Co. Galway
Latitude-longitude: 53.18749585214023, -8.560699003395575
Contact name: Niamh Fitzgerald
Contact email: nfitzgerald@birdwatchireland.ie
This is an event to mark World Wetlands Day 2nd February 2022
This online event will discuss the role that wetlands play in supporting some of our more iconic aquatic biodiversity. Focusing on dragonflies and damselflies, we will examine what is known about them, their diversity, the role of the citizen scientist and how people can get involved in surveying them. The discussion will also include a focus on water quality, what we can do to enhance their distribution and habitats.
Dave Wall from the National Biodiversity Data Centre will lead out with a presentation on the work being carried out by the NBDC and supported by the EPA. Dr. Hugh Feeley of the EPA and Dr. Fran Igoe of the Local Authority Waters Programme will join the conversation to discuss water quality and habitat restoration considerations.
The session and Q&A will be chaired by Jim Finn, Tipp FM Radio Presenter of the Ag- Report.
Event Organiser: Local Authority Waters Programme, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Environmental Protection Agency
Online via Zoom: https://lawaters-ie.zoom.us/j/85395600117
Date: 2 February 2022
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Contact Name: Alan Walsh
Email: awalsh@lawaters.ie
Online Resource
Galway County Council engaged Wetlands Survey Ireland to help tell the remarkable stories about the rich heritage and biodiversity of the wetlands of North East Galway using StoryMaps. Built on leading-edge geospatial technology it is hoped that this customised storymap will inform and inspire people to explore this wealth of heritage that is available right on their doorstep.
This StoryMap brings together the latest innovative mapping technology with text, images and multimedia content to tell powerful location based stories accessible from any internet enabled device with a Web Browser including tablets and phones. They are therefore an ideal tool to communicate the stories of the main wetland habitats that occur in North East Galway and why we should value them.
The story map features a range of information about the wetlands found in North East County Galway, their importance to our wildlife and the environmental and health benefits they provide us with. The StoryMap includes a section on wetlands to visit in North East County Galway. It also lists a series of measures that we can all take to help protect wetland habitats. The story map was produced by Peter Foss and Mary Catherine Gallagher from Wetland Surveys Ireland.
The project was funded under the National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Galway County Council. It is an action of Galway County Heritage and Biodiversity Plan 2017-2022 and managed by Galway County Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme.
Link to StoryMap: https://tinyurl.com/bdhe4fjk
Event Organiser: Galway County Council & The Local Authority Waters Programme
Latitude-longitude: 53.598923, -8.5465908
Contact name: Conor Ruane
Contact email: cruane@lawaters.ie
Online Event
A workshop in 4 short self contained sessions starting with 1-2pm international session with Dr Tobias Salathe heading of the European Ramsar office and Prof Iris Moeller TCD wetland expert, followed by a citizen science and seagrass session with Coastwatch seagrass campaign and select results presented by Coastwatchers. An interactive panel session chaired by Kevin O Sullivan IT on coastal planning and new opportunities is to leave us excited and eager to get going. Finally we will recognise the value of the seagrass finders set in the UN context by Dr Carlos García Soto, Coord. UN WOA and Vice chair of the European Marine Board.
Date: 2nd Feb 2022
Time: 1:00pm – 4:30pm
Max places: 100
Event duration: 3.5 hours in 4 sessions
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/world-wetlands-day-celebration-and-coastwatch-seagrass-workshop-tickets-249108649677
Lead contact: Karen Dubsky kdubsky@tcd.ie
The lunchtime event (13:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs) led by Ruairí Ó Conchúir will explore the biodiversity found throughout the Shannon Town Community Wetlands site in the heart of Shannon Town. It will include a walkover of the site to view different wetland habitat type, local biodiversity and what has taken up home in the wetlands since the voluntary local committee undertook this community led wetlands project a number of year ago. All welcome. Suitable for young and old – please bring appropriate footwear for the site conditions.
Event Organiser: Ruairí Ó Conchúir, Local Authority Waters Programme
Link to event details: https://shannontownwetlands.ie/about
Date: 2nd Feb 2022
Time: 13:00
Max places: 30
Meeting point location: Car park area next to Gaelscoil Donncha Rua, Bóthar Linne, Tullyvarraga, Shannon, Co. Clare
Latitude-longitude: 52.7054801,-8.8771831
Contact name: Ruairí Ó Conchúír
Contact email: roconchuir@lawaters.ie
Online Event
Facebook 5min collection of various wetlands in Castlecomer and some of the species they support.
Event Organiser: Castlecomer Tidy Towns Group
Link to event details: https://www.facebook.com/Tidy-Town-Castlecomer-101160998325017
Date: 2nd Feb 2022
Time: from 09:00
Contact Name: Lorcan Scott
Email: lscott@heritagecouncil.ie
Online Event
Ardagullion Bog has been the focus of recent and extensive restoration efforts through the Living Bog Project. This raised bog site has significant potential for biodiversity and is particularly important for a range of breeding birds, many of which are of conservation concern.
BirdWatch Ireland in partnership with the Heritage Office of Longford County Council and with the support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund and the Peatlands Community Engagement Fund of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, set out to survey the breeding birds which occur and are dependent on Ardagullion Bog.
Join us on Microsoft Teams for this visual presentation, which will discuss the results of this survey and bring you the sights and sounds of the bird life on Ardagullion Bog, and showcase the beauty and importance of this raised bog for birds and other wildlife.
Event Organiser: Longford County Council Heritage Office
Link to event details:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19meeting_ZWE3MDllNGQtYThlYy00MDFlLTg2NTgtYjY5NmExYzhjODNkthread.v2/0?context=Tid99e9d370-2a9d-41be-a28d-37fe92f701baOid736c4adb-d5e4-4011-91b8-e27df467ffa5
Date: Thursday 3rd February 2022
Time: 7.30pm
Contact Name: Mairead Ni Chonghaile
Email: heritage@longfordcoco.ie
Online Event
In preparation for the 3rd River Basin Management Plan cycle the Water Forum is hosting a webinar to discuss approaches to public participation and community engagement to achieve Ireland’s environmental objectives of halting biodiversity loss by 2030; reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and meeting Water Framework Directive objectives by 2027.
Academics will present best practice in public participation and participatory and deliberative approaches to climate mitigation and tools for community engagement. Learnings from public participation activities during the 2nd River Basin Management Plan cycle will be discussed.
There will be opportunities to ask questions.
Event Organiser: An Fóram Uisce – The Water Forum
Register here: https://crowdcomms-ltd.reg.crowdcomms.com/water-forum-river-basin-management-plan-webinar
Date: Thursday 3rd February
Time: 10:00-12:30
Max places: 500
Contact Name: Gretta McCarron
Email: gretta@nationalwaterforum.ie
The FarmPEAT Project is a European Innovation Partnership Project with an objective to improve the environmental quality of agricultural lands on peat soils. The aim of the project is to find ways of managing agricultural land on peat for the benefit of climate, biodiversity and water quality.
To mark World Wetlands Day 2022, FarmPEAT is officially launching its YouTube channel. This channel will be used to share information to participant farmers, local communities and the wider public. This will be a platform not only to educate about the importance of raised bogs in Ireland, but to celebrate the landscape and the communities that inhabit it.
Event Organiser: The FarmPEAT Project
Link to YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FarmPEATproject
Date of launch: 2nd Feb 2022
Time: 11:00
Contact Name: Paddy Malone
Email: paddymalone@farmpeat.ie
A two minute film on the overwintering birds that make Booterstown Marsh their home and refuge during the winter period. Every year we look forward and celebrate their return to a place they have come to for thousands of years.
Film by An Taisce Dun Laoghaire Association
The mural was created in September 2021 in response to the constant ad hoc graffiti being sprayed on the concrete culvert wall. Having removed it on five occasions we felt it might be better to make a mural painting of the birds and plants of the marsh with the hope that it would not be the subject of unwanted graffiti in the future. Dumped spray cans were found many times in the wetland waters and and fringes causing pollution.
Film by An Taisce Dun Laoghaire Association
The first of two clean ups for 2022.
Date: Apr 24th 2022
Time: 2pm
Meeting point: Booterstown DART station carpark
Bags, gloves and pickers provided tea afterwards.
Please email reb.jeffares@gmail.com
RAMSAR SITE GUIDED EVENTS
Events hosted by the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee are also listed on the Events Map. These events are taking place at Ramsar sites and other wetlands around the country for World Wetlands Day. You can sign up for an event on the map. More events will be added over the coming weeks.