The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week, “Connections, Routes and Networks”, invites people across the country to explore the ways we are connected to each other through physical or cultural ties. Running from Saturday, August 17th until Sunday, August 25th, the week offers an array of free events nationwide.
Birds give us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the interconnected nature of all things. Migratory species, including Greenland White-fronted Geese, Whooper Swans and other species that will soon migrate to Ireland for winter, traverse the globe, linking the people and countries along their migration routes. Their existence fosters cooperation between nations, as the conservation of migratory birds relies on international collaboration.
Just as birds are reliant on human cooperation and connection to thrive, our own well-being is very much dependent on birds. We rely on birds for vital services including pollination and insect control. Moreover, birds have inspired humans for centuries, leading to the creation of some of our most cherished art and literature.
This National Heritage Week, celebrate birds and the many ways they connect us by attending one of the BirdWatch Ireland events organised by BirdWatch Ireland staff and/ or local branches. Find one near you using the list below. Find the contact details for your local BirdWatch Ireland branch here.
Cavan
BirdWatch Ireland’s Barn Owl Research Officer Alan McCarthy will be giving a talk about Barn Owls in Cavan on Wednesday, August 21st at 7.30 p.m. The talk will take place in the Boardroom (top floor) of the Bridge Street Centre, Cavan Town.
On Thursday, August 22nd from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m., the BirdWatch Ireland Cavan Branch will hold a birdwatching walk and talk. This will take place in the car park for Turbet Island, Belturbet (same meetup point as for the Dawn Chorus Event in Belturbet). The talk will be delivered by Derek Belton and will mention some of the birds you are likely to see on Turbet Island with a particular focus on birds associated with the water like the Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Mute Swan and Great Crested Grebe.
Meanwhile, on Friday, August 23rd, join Annie Birtwistle for a free Swift Talk in Bailieborough Business Centre, Co Cavan at 7.30 p.m. To celebrate Heritage Week, we will be talking about these amazing birds, the results of the 2024 Cavan survey and what can be done to help safeguard our Swift population. For more info, email cavanheritage@cavancoco.ie.
This talk is funded by Cavan County Council through LBAF @NPWS
Cork (West)
The BirdWatch Ireland West Cork branch will hold a Family Event at Rosscarbery on Sunday, August 18th between 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. Find out more about the birds that use the estuary on migration and during the winter.
Meet on the causeway opposite the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery (GPS 51.575134, -9.029499). Contact Nicholas Mitchell for more information at treasurer@birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie/ 087 121 5256.
Donegal
The BirdWatch Ireland Donegal branch will hold an outing on Saturday, August 17th to Blanket Nook Lake. They will meet in the car park at Kernan’s Diner at Newtown Cunningham at 10 a.m. and then continue on to the lake for a birding walk of 2/ 3 hours duration.
Dublin South
Ahead of National Heritage Week, the BirdWatch Ireland South Dublin branch will run an outing to Sandymount Strand, Dublin on Thursday, August 15th. It is hoped that attendees will have the chance to observe the arrival of the annual late summer tern roost at Sandymount Strand. Wellington boots or similar are advised.
Meet in Sandymount Strand, car park 3 on Strand Road. See here for a map and more information on Sandymount Strand. The car park is at Flag F on the map.
Galway
Celebrate Galway City’s Heritage with a talk about Swifts and the 2024 Galway City Swift Survey. Join BirdWatch Ireland staff on Tuesday, August 20th at 6 p.m. in Galway City Library. For more info, email parks.department@galwaycity.ie.
This talk is funded by Galway City Council LBAF.
Kildare
The BirdWatch Ireland Kildare branch will host an outing to Sandymount Strand on Thursday, August 22nd to watch thousands of Common and Arctic Terns gather to roost. Meet at the car park closest to Merrion Gates at 7 p.m.
Louth
In celebration of Ireland’s Heritage, join BirdWatch Ireland staff on Thursday, August 22nd in Dundalk Library for a talk about Swifts and the work being carried out in Louth to conserve these amazing species. The talk will start at 6.30 p.m.
Booking is essential. Call Dundalk Library on 042 9353190
This event is funded through Louth Coco LBAF.
Meath
On Saturday, August 17th from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., the BirdWatch Ireland Meath branch will host a hedgerow ‘walk & talk’ with Mark McDowell in Navan. Mark has completed hedge-laying on the site, so you will see the rejuvenation and regrowth that comes from this traditional management practice. Booking is required. To register, see birdwatchirelandmeath.com.
Meanwhile, on Monday, August 19th, join BirdWatch Ireland staff for an evening talk about Meath’s Swifts in Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. Find out about these fascinating birds, and the work being carried out in Co. Meath to protect them. Refreshments from 7.40 p.m. Talk begins at 8 p.m. Booking is required. Contact Meath County Council’s Heritage Office at biodiversity@meathcoco.ie to book.
This talk is funded by Meath County Council LBAF.
Monaghan
BirdWatch Ireland’s Barn Owl Research Officer Alan McCarthy will be giving a talk about the Barn Owls of Monaghan on Monday, August 19th at 7 p.m. The event will take place in Doohamlet Community Centre, Monaghan.
Tipperary
The BirdWatch Ireland Tipperary branch will run an event at Clonmel Heritage Event in Clonmel Park on Saturday, August 24th from 3.30 p.m.
Wicklow
Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, John Lusby, will team up with The Wicklow Barn Owl Group for a talk in Rathdrum Library on Wednesday, August 21st from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Entitled “Wicklow Barn Owls: Connecting Pellets, Poo and Library Cards!”, the talk will introduce people to the fascinating world of Barn Owls and Barn Owl pellets. Attendees will explore the amazing lifecycle of Barn Owls at this event, which includes a workshop and the official launch of the new Barn Owl themed Wicklow Library Card.
Numbers are limited by the capacity of the venue, please drop an email to eao@wicklowcoco.ie to book a place.
The Wicklow Barn Owl group is a partnership between Wicklow County Council and National Parks and Wildlife Service established in 2022. The group gathers barn owl sightings in the Wicklow countryside and works with, farmers, landowners Birdwatch Ireland and community enthusiasts on an ongoing basis to encourage more breeding success through the installation and monitoring of artificial nest boxes. The Wicklow Barn Owl project project is co-funded by NPWS, The Heritage Council and Wicklow County Council through the local biodiversity action plan fund.
