Mountaineering Ireland Environmental Weekend, 5th – 7th June 2026, Killarney, Co. Kerry
25-30 participants from all over Ireland, representing Walking Clubs and individuals.
Co-ordinated by Helen Lawless, Access & Environment Manager, and Rozanne Bell, Environmental Officer, we had the opportunity to walk and talk with experts who were sharing their passion and enthusiasm for our environment, their concerns for the future protection of different species and habitats, and the consequences of climate change and impact of human needs and requirements.
On Friday 5th in the evening, we had 2 speakers. Ravit Yanay, geologist, took us on a fascinating journey through the millennia with ‘Desert Planes to Icy Peaks, the Story of the Kerry Mountains’. Patrick Gleeson, ecologist, took us on a slower journey with ‘Kerry Uplands: Ecology, Land Use History and Remnant Woodlands’. Both talks prepared us for the walks on Saturday and Sunday in south-west Ireland.
Saturday 6th June.
We were divided into two groups. I joined Helen’s walk in the Hag’s Glen. We were met in Cronin’s Yard by Stewart Stephens, Chair of the MacGillycuddy Reeks Access Forum, who spoke to us about sustainable uplands recreation, managing the uplands, influencing policy, and the need for funding to meet environmental needs.
We were also joined by Conchubhar Lyne, Development Officer for the MacGillycuddy Reeks Access Forum. Conchubhar talked about the Pilot Upland Recreation Scheme, a 3-year project in which local landowners are divided into a 2-tier system and paid accordingly. Tier 1: the landowner engages with walkers and advises them on weather conditions, access to the mountains, etc. Tier 2 : in addition to engaging with walkers, the landowner undertakes path maintenance.
Leaving from Cronin’s Yard we headed up the path into the Hag’s Glen. We had an expert bird watcher in our group, who spotted skylarks, wheatears, meadow pipits, a kestrel, among others, and described their breeding habits and lifecycles. Helen, and others, identified a Kerry slug and many plants, among them, lousewort, heath milkwort (na deirifiúríní), heath bedstraw, St Patrick’s Cabbage, starry saxifrage, sundews, marsh violets, etc…… And we talked about how walkers can protect the environment by taking out litter with them, by keeping to the path and respecting the workplace of the local farmers. Despite the forecast there was only a spattering of rain and the sun came out, lighting up Carrantuohill, and the glorious mountains in the MacGillycuddy Reeks.
On Saturday evening there were 3 talks.
John Cromie presented ‘Biodiversity Exploring and Recording’. John encouraged us, as walkers, to contribute to the understanding and conservation of our uplands by recording flora and fauna on our walks. Download the app Biodiversity Data Capture, https://biodiversityireland.ie/ Other recommended apps: Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist, Obsidentify.
Jackie Hunt presented the LIFE on Machair Project, based in the machair (the sandy green area behind the dunes) on the coast of the Mullet Peninsula and Achill Island, Co. Mayo. A 6-year project, LIFE works with farmers, and others, to get the balance back on these open areas, the habitats of many endangered waders and other birds: sandpipers, ringed plover, lapwings, dunlins, snipe, curlews, and more. Mesh nets have been placed around these sensitive areas to prevent grazing, camping, wild animals, energetic dogs, and human recreation. Farmers have been paid €2200 p.a. for their engagement in the project to protect the birds and the machair between March and September.
James Daly presented his dedicated work to bringing the swifts back to Killorglin. He has built and installed swift boxes high up on numerous buildings around Killorglin increasing swifts’ (who are always in flight) nests from 3 to 25 over 10 years. He is extending this project to Tralee.
Sunday 7th June.
Once again, we split into 2 groups. I joined Rozanne Bell’s group for the walk on the Old Kenmare Road/Kerry Way with Micheál, a NPWS Ranger (one of 8 Rangers) in Killarney National Park. The Rangers monitor wildlife and visitors, manage the removal of invasive species such as the rhododendron ponticum, control the numbers of sika deer and of our native red deer, protect and restore sensitive habitats, among other responsibilities.
Leaving from the Torc Carpark we headed along the Old Kenmare Road towards Kenmare. Despite the heavy mist which covered the mountains and the distant valleys, we had a busy walk identifying plants, benefiting from Micheál’s local knowledge and expertise.
Our accommodation was in the KCYS, Killarney Youth Centre Hostel, Fair Hill. Excellent downtown location, very hospitable staff, clean, spacious with a dining area, meeting room, seating areas, 4-bed dorms with bed linen, duvet and towels, tea and coffee provided. Self-catering. I’d highly recommend it for exploring and hiking in Co. Kerry.
March 2022
BurrenbeoTrust
| Burrenbeo March 2022 Snapshot |
| 1. Burrenbeo Trust will be hosting the 11th annual Learning Landscape Symposium that will bring together leading change-makers and educators on the theme of From Learning to Action from the 18th to the 20th March 2022 at the Kinvara Community Centre (KCC), Co.Galway and outdoors in the Burren. The symposium will comprise of a mixture of indoor workshops, outdoor fieldtrips, discussions, and networking events, and is open to anyone with an interest in communicating natural, built, or cultural heritage and sustainability to their audiences and inspiring action. Tickets are selling fast! See poster above for the programme and visit burrenbeo.com/lls to book your tickets. |
18th – 20th March
Kinvara and the Burren
We are very excited that our annual LLS will be returning in-person to the Burren after 3 years. The workshop leaders for this year’s symposium include Michael Gibbons, one of Ireland’s leading field archaeologists; Ray O’Foghlú, a woodland conservationist; Catherine Cleary and Ashe Conrad-Jones, founders of the social enterprise Pocket Forests and Sarah-Anne Buckley, internationally recognised Irish social historian and co-author of Old Ireland in Colour. An online talk on the evening of Wednesday 16th of March will focus on ‘Our connection to nature and ways to improve it’ with Miles Richardson from the University of Derby, UK. General Ticket: €85, Discounted Ticket for Heritage in School specialists and Burrenbeo members: €65. Link above for booking and further information.
2. The Hare’s Corner
Update
7,200 trees including 5,400 native trees like alder, birch, hazel, whitethorn, holly and oak and 1800 saplings of the endangered Burren pine were distributed to 34 landowners in Co.Clare as part of the mini- woodlands element of The Hare’s Corner – Burrenbeo’s new community-led biodiversity project. The tree distribution took place on 12th of February at the GAA hall in Tubber and was a wonderful opportunity to meet with the landowners who are participating in this pilot project which was launched in August 2021. Before it completes its first year, it will have supported the creation of 32 ponds, 43 mini orchards -with 350 Irish heritage apple trees from Irish Seed Savers Association and 38 mini woodlands – a wonderful investment in the natural infrastructure of the County. The Hare’s Corner is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) through The European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP)/Locally led schemes as well as the Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Visit burrenbeo.com/thc for more info.
3.Heritage Keepers
Programme Update
Check out this short animated video we have recently produced toexplain what Heritage Keepers is all about. This video was produced with the support of Glas Communities Rethink Ireland fund. Programme delivery of Heritage Keepers both in-person and online is now in full swing. We are really enjoying working with the primary and secondary school kids as well as the ten community groups that have been chosen to participate in the pilot phase of this programme. More info at burrenbeo.com/hk
| 4. Save the Dates! 18th – 20th March 2022: Learning Landscape Symposium 19th – 22nd May 2022: Burren in Bloom 19th – 21st Aug 2022: A Volunteering Celebration event 28th – 30th October 2022: Burren Winterage Weekend For information on ongoing community initiatives and events, Community News and Events page on the Burrenbeo Trust website. |
RTE News item 18/02/2022 of interest in relation to The Burren Pine Trees https://www.rte.ie/news/2022/0219/1280741-burren-project-drives-irish-pines-fairy-tale-return/
February 2022
To Watch on TV
Faoi Bhlath new series on RTE 1 and available on RTE Player
Episode 1 14/02/2022 looks at an invaluable part of Irelands culture and natural heritage – our hedgerows.
Episode 2 21/02/2022 celebrates Irelands biodiversity and features Lough Corrib.
February 2022
Information sharing with members of GWC. Some useful information received from Mountaineering Ireland Access and Conservation Officer Helen Lawless:
- National Spring Clean
Many Mountaineering Ireland clubs undertake a litter-pick each spring, and looking at the litter around some of our recreation sites this could be a great time to get some people together to clean up an area that your club visits regularly. If you register your clean-up with National Spring Clean, An Taisce will send you gloves, bags etc. Anyone in club who is interested in doing this and have a particular area in mind please contact Eilish O’Shea through the club email: info@galwaywalkingclub.ie. We can then review / organise as a club and register with National Spring Clean and get bags, gloves etc from An Taisce.
MI are asking:
“If you do a litter-pick, send us a short note about it and a few photos and we’d be delighted to share them on our social media. Mountaineering Ireland has put together tips for organising a club clean-up”. See link for information:https://www.mountaineering.ie/_files/Organising%20_a_club_clean-up.pdf
2. Climb With Charlie
You may be aware that Charlie Bird is climbing Croagh Patrick on Saturday 2nd April. If you or your club are considering doing a climb in support of Charlie Bird, please check out Mountaineering Ireland’s guidance – https://mountaineering.ie/aboutus/news/2022/?id=377
3. Do you hike or climb in Donegal?
If you live in Co. Donegal, or if you hike, climb or participate in other outdoor activities in the county, then you may be interested to know that an Outdoor Recreation Strategy is being developed for Donegal.
You can have your say now about the activities you do, and what you’d like to see for your outdoor experiences in the years ahead.
There are two ways to participate:
• Complete a short online survey
• Register to attend an online meeting for the area you live or recreate in. For more information or survey link and for dates of online meetings go to https://www.donegalcoco.ie/…/outdoor%20recreation…/
4. MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Forum
The MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Forum has a new part-time Development Officer, Ger McEnery – https://www.macgillycuddyreekskerry.com/latest-news/77-meet-our-new-development-officer. Ger has reminded us that clubs are asked to register all groups of 10 or more going to the Reeks in advance through the Forum’s website – https://www.macgillycuddyreekskerry.com/events. If you don’t have your club’s insurance certificate just mention that you are insured through Mountaineering Ireland (we have provided a list of insured clubs to the forum).
5. Have you seen a Red Grouse?
Many of you will be familiar with how Red Grouse explode into flight uttering a distinctive ‘go back, go back, go back’ call. These plump, medium-sized birds are a characteristic species of upland areas, due to their dependence on heather for food, shelter and nesting. Hillwalkers are asked to report sightings of Red Grouse to feed into a national survey being led by the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
For more information and to report sightings go to https://biodiversityireland.ie/surveys/red-grouse-survey-2021-2022/
Red Grouse sightings and other biodiversity records can also be submitted through the Biodiversity Data Capture app. This survey continues up to the end of March 2022.
6. Climate change
If you watched ‘Don’t look up’ over Christmas, or you want to understand a bit more about climate change and how it will impact on Ireland we recommend watching this talk which climate scientist John Sweeney gave to the West Wicklow Environmental Network before Christmas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qunXhQg6kj0&t=1132s
January 2022
BurrenBeo Trust-
January 2022 Snapshot
| Burrenbeo December & January 2022 Snapshot |
| According to pollen and archaeological records, the beautiful Pinus sylvestris or Ireland’s only native pine once dominated the Burren landscape. It now survives in a small isolated pocket in the Burren in what is known as the only known stand of native pines in Ireland. One year since launching The Burren Pine project we are proud to report that we have planted five new mini-woodlands comprising 500 Burren pines along with thousands of other native companion trees in biodiversity-poor areas of the Burren. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to this unique community-led restoration project! Our ambition is to plant five more Burren pine-dominated woodlands in 2022. |
| Heritage Keepers A national pilot programme launched in partnership with The Heritage Council This month saw Burrenbeo launch Heritage Keepers – a new place-based learning programme in partnership with The Heritage Council. To be delivered in a series of five 2-hour workshops, this programme is for schools and community groups who want to explore and enhance their local place. It will initially be offered to a limited number of groups nationwide in Spring 2022, with options for in-person, online and blended learning. There are also plans to offer teachers and community facilitators the chance to become ‘Heritage Keepers’ programme trainers. |
| The Hare’s Corner Update As you read this, several ponds are being dug across County Clare to enhance biodiversity and we expect that 27 new ponds will be created before the end of this year as part of The Hare’s Corner pilot project. An online training session on Pond Design and Construction with Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty was also held for all pond applicants and you can view a recording of it on our YouTube channel here. The unexpectedly mild weather in November has meant that we have had to postpone the distribution of native bare-root orchard trees to the successful Hare’s Corner orchard -applicants. We hope to organize this in January with the help of our partners at Irish Seed Savers. The Hare’s Corner is coordinated by Burrenbeo Trust and funded by the Dept of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through The European Innovation Partnerships Initiative (EIP)/Locally led schemes, as well as the Clare County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. |
| BCV work at Doolin Court Tomb A huge thank-you goes to our hard working group of volunteers who cleared an impressive amount of vegetation from around the Doolin Court Tomb in November, under the expert guidance of Clare’s Field Monument Advisor Elaine Lynch. The monument had been totally transformed allowing it’s entirety to be seen after many years of being buried in scrub – go pay it a quick visit to see for yourself! Email volunteer@burrenbeo.com if you would like to join the BCV group. Burrenbeo Gifts to support a sustainable Burren A reminder that our online shop is open for a range of wonderful gifts that come with free delivery to anywhere in Ireland and the U.K. You will find ‘The Calf and the Cuckoo’, a children’s book on winterage, Burren Field Guides, set of 5 limited-edition Burren Insight Magazines, the Áitbheo Toolkit for place-based learning, as well as a 1-year gift membership of the Trust. Your purchase will support Burrenbeo Trust, an inclusive, independent, and transparent charity working towards the sustainable future of the Burren. |
Galway Walking Club 