Bugs, bogs, butterflies and bats - dress for a mess and join the wonderful world of wildlife
BUTTERFLY WALK
Venue: Santry Demesne, Dublin 9.
Time: Noon-2pm.
Global Action Plan hosts a nature walk in Santry Demesne, focusing on identifying butterflies. Places are strictly limited.
To book: E-mail info@globalactionplan.ie or tel: 01-8625846.
Cost: Free.
DOWN ON THE BOG
Venue: Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, Kenagh, Co Longford.
Children can learn about the bog environment through a number of events at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre. They are advised to “dress for mess”.
Boggy Botany: 1.30pm-2.30pm: A fun but educational look at peatland plants for children aged 6-12 years.
The Bug Club: 2.45pm-3.45pm: An introduction to "creepy crawlies".
Wild Child Challenge: 4pm-5pm: Games and challenges with the guides.
Cost: Free.
Details: E-mail corlea@opw.ie or tel: 043-3322386.
FAMILY WALK IN THE WOODS
Venue: Terryland Forest Park, Galway.
Time: 3pm-4pm.
Galway Civic Trust hosts a guided walk by heritage enthusiast Brendan Smith, to help children learn about the nature around them. Booking essential.
To book: E-mail info@galwaycivictrust.ie or tel: 091-564946.
Cost: Free (donations appreciated).
SNIPE FIELD ACTIVITY
Venue: Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, North Slob, Ardcavan, Co Wexford.
Time: 2pm-4pm.
Children aged seven and over can explore the wetland, in a session that includes pond dipping and bug hunt. Booking is necessary.
To book: E-mail deirdre.toomey@environ.ie or tel: 053-9123406
Cost: Free.
BUG HUNTS
Venue: Grand Canal Bridge, Vicarstown, Co Laois.
Time: 3pm-5pm.
Michael Jacob leads a celebration of Wild Child Day with bug hunts, games and plenty of creepy crawlies. No need to book, just turn up. All children must be accompanied. Subject to weather.
Cost: Free.
Details: E-mail ccasey@laoiscoco.ie or tel: 057-8674348.
BIODIVERSITY BONANZA
Venue: Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre, Ballycroy village, Co Mayo
Time: 10am-4pm.
In a game of “Biodiversity Bingo”, families are invited to find as many species as possible and win a prize and Biodiversity Bonanza Certificate.
Cost: Free.
For more information: E-mail mags.flaherty@environ.ie or tel: 098-49888.
BURREN EXPEDITION
Venue: Burrenbeo Trust Centre, Main Street, Kinvara, Co Galway.
Time: 10am-1pm.
A chance for children to get out into the Burren and learn about the environment through games, bug hunts, flower viewing and drawing. If weather allows, parents must be present to drive children up to the nearby Slieve Carran Nature Reserve, then return to the centre for drawing with Gordon D’Arcy.
Cost: €5 per child.
Details: e-mail trust@burrenbeo.com or tel: 091-638096.
BIO BLITZ
Venue: Belvedere House Gardens and Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Time: 2pm-4pm.
Children can discover a whole new world under their feet with Australian wildlife expert Dale Treadwell, hunting for insects and plants that are identified and recorded.
Cost: Bio Blitz is free for children, who also have free admission to the house and gardens; usual admission fee of €8.75 for adults.
Details: E-mail bdarcy@ westmeathcoco.ie or tel: 044-9349060.
FAMILY NATURE ACTIVITIES
Venue: Visitor Centre, Coole Park, Gort, Co Galway.
Time: 2.30pm-4pm.
From tiny insects to large trees, discover what lives at Coole Park and who eats who. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: Free.
Details: E-mail info@coolepark.ie or tel: 091-631804
BAT WALK
Venue: Meet at Castleknock rail. station, Dublin 15.
Time: 9.30pm-11.30pm (also running on August 25th and 28th at same time)
A bat walk for all the family along the Royal Canal in Castleknock – with the added thrill for children of being up well past bedtime. Dress for a night walk.
Cost: Free.
Details: E-mail columfitzgerald @yahoo.ie or tel: 087-9982628.
SWALLOWS AND MARTINS WORKSHOP
Venue: BirdWatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve, Sea Road, Newcastle, Co Wicklow.
Time: 2pm-4.30pm.
A fun interactive workshop for children and a guided nature walk. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Some of the terrain is tussocky and wet, so wear good waterproof footwear.
Cost: Free.
Details: E-mail kjennings @birdwatchireland.ie or tel: 01-2819878.
BILBERRY GOATS
Venue: Rockmount House, Gracedieu Road, Waterford city.
Time: 11am-6pm (daily to August 28th) A chance to get up close and personal with the Bilberry goat, a feral herd that lives on Bilberry Rock overlooking Waterford City. The species, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, has been there for 400 years. There will also be the chance to taste Bilberry goat heritage cheese.
Cost: €2.
Details: E-mail bilberrygoatheritagetrust@hotmail.com or tel: 051-399986.
FUN ON THE FARM
Venue: An Cnoc Ban Organic Farm, Spink, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.
Time: 11am-1pm.
Children can explore the natural life on an organic farm with guided activities, alphabet hikes, nature trails and bug hunts. They can also learn about the interdependence of animals and plants in several habitats. Outdoor games and stories add to the enjoyment. Pre-booking essential.
Cost: €8 per child.
To book: E-mail ancnocban@ ireland.com or tel: 057-8731838.
To find what is happening in your area on Wild Child Day next Saturday – or on any other day of Heritage Week which runs until August 29th – see heritageweek.ie
