News
Kerry Biosphere hosts biodiversity Gathering weekend
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.
Down Syndrome Kerry appeals to Ring of Kerry cyclists to ‘Pedal with a Purpose’
Down Syndrome Kerry has issued an appeal to participants of this year’s Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle to choose the organisation as their official charity partner under the campaign slogan “Pedal with a Purpose – Cycle for Our Future.”
As one of the main beneficiaries of the annual cycling event, the voluntary organisation relies on the fundraiser to sustain and expand its essential services for children, teenagers, and adults with Down syndrome across the county.
Funds generated from the cycle directly support early childhood to adulthood resources, including educational initiatives, speech and language therapy, social and recreational programmes, life skills development, advocacy, and direct family support systems.
Down Syndrome Kerry Chairperson John O’Connor highlighted the local impact of the fundraising partnership.
“The Ring of Kerry Cycle is hugely important for Down Syndrome Kerry and has been a huge help in expanding our services,” O’Connor said. “Through the assistance of the Ring of Kerry Cycle, we have been able to provide vital speech and language therapy to our members close to home in Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Dingle, and Cahersiveen. Their support also helps us provide greater employment training and opportunities for our members. If you haven’t already signed up for Down Syndrome Kerry for this year’s Ring of Kerry Cycle, do so and help us provide our members and their families with the support they need for a better life.”
The demand for these local services continues to grow across the region, making community-led fundraising critical for the group’s operations.
Denis Cronin, a parent and committee member of the organisation, spoke about the long-standing connection to the event.
“Down Syndrome Kerry have a long association with the Ring of Kerry Cycle, going back nearly 30 years,” Cronin said. “It’s always a fabulous day out, organisation is first class, food stops and volunteers are fantastic, but from a cyclist viewpoint, most importantly, all money raised goes to charity.”
Cyclists and supporters looking to back the campaign or select their charity partner can access registration details through the official Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle channels.
Eric Jenkinson wins camera club award with Dingle landscape
The stunning landscapes of Kerry continue to inspire members of the Killarney Camera Club, with this month’s themed competition, titled “Kerry Landscape,” producing a high standard of entries.
Following last week’s feature on the unrestricted category winner, Noel O’Neill, this week showcases the winning photograph in the Novice Category by Eric Jenkinson.
His striking photograph, titled “Wild Atlantic Way,” impressed the judges with its colour, composition, and sense of place. The image captures the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, featuring Clogher Beach in the foreground and the iconic Three Sisters landmarks in the background.
Eric’s success highlights his photographic talent and his appreciation of the county’s natural scenery along the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
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