Events in Killarney town centre, Killarney National Park , the Anam Arts Centre and Cronin’s Yard

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The Gathering weekend will celebrate biodiversity in Kerry with a series of walks, talks, and workshops throughout this weekend. The events are aimed at both adults and children alike.
This is a weekend event filled with connection, inspiration and immersion in nurturing places with talks, walks and workshops in various locations, there is something for everyone.
A variety of workshops are offered over the weekend which will enable participants to be immersed in the unique nature of Kerry. The workshops are offered in three time blocks and each workshop will run for approximately two hours.
Commencing on Saturday morning at 10 am ornithologist Ed Carty will lead a bird walk along the shore in Cromane.
The bird walk occurs along the Castlemaine Harbour Special Protection Area, an area that is of international significance for the birdlife it supports.
The Biosphere is will also host a beach workshop with Louise Overy from the Irish Elasmobranch Group and MTU.
Donal O’Leary from Waste Down to advise on composting food and garden waste. Donal will be on hand to explain how composting works, why it sometimes doesn't, and how to find the methods that work best.
On Saturday afternoon, entomologist Nessa Darcy will lead a ‘Bug Safari’ at Cronin’s Yard, Beaufort. Nessa's mission is to reintroduce humans to their natural habitat through colourful encounters with insects.
Join her in finding and identifying Kerry's tiniest but, some might say, most important creatures.
Learn insect catching methods used by ecologists, and celebrate the weird and wonderful diversity of invertebrates in creative ways.
Also on Saturday afternoon, an Urban Biodiversity Walk with the Irish Wildlife Trust Kerry Branch through Killarney Town will be delivered to unearth the biodiversity that dwells in urban environments in Ireland.
Park Rangers from the Killarney’s National Park will host a Woodland Ecology Walk through the National Park on Saturday afternoon.
This woodland walk is sure to be full of interesting facts and information about the impressive native woodlands of the National Park, and the important species they support.
A series of informative talks will be delivered on Saturday evening in Anam Cultural and Arts Centre, Killarney. The talks will also feature the official launch of the Kerry Biosphere’s Bird ID Swatch.
The weekend’s activities will continue into Sunday with the much-loved Family Funday on the Bog at Cronin’s Yard.
The Family Funday will be hosted by the capable hands of the Killarney National Park Education Team and gives participants a great opportunity to learn about the amazing plants and creatures that live on our bogs.
Darcy will again be in action on Sunday morning but her Sunday morning workshop is aimed at adults and will be a mixture of scientific exploration, knowledge sharing, creative fun, and connection with nature.
Finally, the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Access Officer, Ronan O’Connor and ecologist Daire O’Hare Doherty will deliver an Upland Ecology and Management workshop at Cronin’s Yard.
Bookings for these events can be made on the Kerry Biosphere Eventbrite page.
This project is supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service under Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action plan (2023-2030), Kerry County Council, and the LAWPRO Blue Dot Programme.
For more information on the above event visit the Kerry Biosphere website: www.kerrybiosphere.ie.