The parks will offer a programme of public events on topics as varied as plant life, bats and history
Ireland's six National Parks will be buzzing not just with nature and visitors this summer, but with a programme of public events to be hosted at each of the parks. Throughout August, visitors will be able to engage with the history, plant and animal life of Ireland's national parks through a diverse programme of events. Visitors can expect to learn about topics as varied as the natural life blooming in the parks, with talks, free guided walks and workshops on wildflowers, bats, poetry and the parks’ history.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer at each park:
Glengarriff Nature Reserve, Co Cork
Two events are taking place in the Nature Reserve during Heritage Week in conjunction with the Ellen Hutchins Festival (www.ellenhutchins.com):
Monday 15th August - Walk: Arbutus and Other Trees with Dr Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/walk-arbutus-and-other-trees-2
Weds 17th August - Wildlife in the Woods with the Local Rangers (event for children) https://www.heritageweek.ie/event-listings/wildlife-in-the-woods-with-the-local-rangers
For further information check out https://www.glengarriffnaturereserve.ie/activities/ or contact [email protected] with your questions.
Wild Nephin National Park, Co Mayo
There is something for everyone in the summer programme with activities that cater for all ages. There are weekly guided walks of the Tóchar Daihtí Bán Trail and the coastal trail at Claggan Mountain. Those joining the walks can learn about the biodiversity of the bog and coastal habitats.
There is also a packed programme for this year’s Heritage Week that includes a ranger led hike, history talk and poetry walk. Wild Nephin National Park is Ireland’s first Dark Sky Park and will host a number of night events including a night walk and a bat walk. Two virtual talks during Heritage Week will also be on offer one of which is by renowned environmental scientist and advocate Dr Travis Langcore who is a leading expert on the environmental and ecological effects of night lighting. A Wildflower Workshop will take place on August 19th at 12 noon.
Check out Wild Nephin National Park and the Mayo Dark Sky Park – www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie and www.mayodarkskypark.ie
Killarney National Park, Co Kerry
The Killarney National Park photography competition is an exciting way to celebrate Heritage Week 2022 and, in keeping with the theme for this year, the title is ‘Our History, Our Future’. Heritage Week is all about sustainability; sustainability of our natural and built heritage. Killarney National Park wants to see young people’s interpretation of our beautiful landscape. In addition to the photograph, they’re asking for a short story (no more than 250 words) to accompany the image; what is it and why is it important.
See Killarney National Park website for further information:
https://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/killarney-national-park-photography-competition/
The closing date is 4:30pm on Friday 5th August
The park is also coming to your small screens through a new app called Ciar’s Quest has been launched this summer; Ciar’s Quest uses augmented reality to bring to life the rich folklore and heritage of County Kerry. Ciar is a descendant of the O’Connor Chieftain Ciar, the founder of the Kingdom of Kerry, and his adventurous quest is to find the Kingdom’s rich wildlife and to seek the hidden gems. Ciar is based on Ross Island and the app invites you to join in his treasure hunt. A treasure map will guide you to the special marker posts, simply hold your phone in front of if and watch the magic happen!
The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.
All the details can be found on the website at:
https://ciarsquest.ie/
Muckross Traditional Farms is offering an exciting programme of events throughout Heritage Week with everything from basket making, a session with a pipeband and súgan chair making sessions taking place during the week.
Connemara National Park, Co Galway
Throughout August Connemara Pony information sessions will take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. For anyone that cannot make the information sessions Connemara Ponies are on show along the Sruffaunboy Trail as well as some of the other heritage breeds in the National Park including the Moiled Cattle. The Visitor Centre is open daily and admission is free. Visitors can enjoy an exhibition on Connemara’s landscape, and there is a new 20 minute audio visual film where visitors can find out all about Connemara National Park. A new self-guided tree trail allows visitors to explore the tree heritage of the National Park. The highlight of the summer events is the Summer Wednesday Evening Lecture Series that has returned after a two year absence. Every Wednesday at 9pm there will be a lecture in the AV Theatre with a wide array of topics covered from Corncrakes to Dark Skies. For more information on Connemara National Park see : www.connemaranationalpark.ie
The Burren National Park, Co Clare
The Buren is well known for its unique landscape and flora as it contains examples of all the major habitats including Limestone Pavement, Calcareous Grassland, Hazel scrub, Ash/Hazel Woodland, Turloughs, Lakes, Petrifying Springs, Cliffs and Fen. Free guided walks are offered on a regular basis and include information on the habitats, flora, fauna and geology of the Burren.
The Information Point in the village of Corofin, 15 minutes’ drive from the park provides information to visitors. A free shuttle bus service runs 15 times a day from the Burren National Park Information Point in Corofin to the trailhead in the Burren National Park, daily from June to August. Contact [email protected] for more information and to book a tour. Timetables can be found on www.burrennationalpark.ie
Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal
Summer at Glenveagh is a great time to get away from it all, take time in nature to explore, learn and relax. Join bookable events like Bat Nights, or watch out for informal pop up displays and guided walks on busy days. Don't forget to visit the Outdoor Classroom on the Derrylahan Trail. Look out for events during Heritage Week from 13th -21st August. For bookings and enquiries for all outdoor nature events contact: [email protected]
Throughout August various events will take place including Trad weekend (26th and 27th August, an exhibition on the Derryveagh Evictions from the 19th – 27th August and you can walk in the footsteps of Colmcille at Gartan on August 21st and 24th.
Read more at https://www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie/summer-nature-events/
Wicklow National Park, Co Wicklow
Within easy reach of Dublin, Wicklow National Park will host a wide range of activities throughout the summer. These include a Family Bat Talk on August 11th, Wild Woods: The Magic of Ireland’s Native Woodlands on August 18th and on Sunday 21st August at 11am there will be a session on Wildlife Gardening in conjunction with Heritage Week. Booking is essential for that date. Bat walks will take place at the Upper Lake in Glendalough on August 11th at 8.30pm.
There’s plenty on offer for families too, such as Bats in the Attic and Bat Silhouettes Art Session, and Pond Life and Dragonfly Art session. It doesn’t end with summer as Star Gazing sessions will be offered by the Irish Astronomical Society this Autumn.
To book email [email protected] and visit www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie for further information
Coole Park Nature Reserve, Co Galway
Join a Guided Nature Walk this Sunday 31st July from 10.30 am. To 1pm to celebrate World Ranger Day. Learn about the different woodland and wetland habitats within Coole Park Nature Reserve and how they contribute to the rich biodiversity of the Burren lowlands. This event is free but numbers are limited so booking is essential. Please note only guide dogs are permitted on guided walks, but bear in mind that they will be traversing some rough terrain on the walk. Contact [email protected] for more information and to book.
