Galway County Biodiversity Office

28/05/2026

Job Alert!

*We’re Hiring: CWF Development Officer and Communications and Administration Officer Positions*

The Community Wetlands Forum (CWF) now wishes to recruit a Development Officer and a Communications & Administration Officer, and invites suitably experienced and qualified candidates to apply. These roles offer a unique opportunity to shape the Community Wetlands Forum and its work with the membership and stakeholders. The Development Officer, supported by the Communications & Administration Officer, will work with the Board of the CWF to support and engage with current members, to assist the organisation to grow its membership, and to build public awareness of the CWF through communications and outreach activities. Identifying opportunities to grow the organisation, including operating income, is an important aspect of these roles.

Operating under the guidance of the Board of Directors, they will concentrate on designated areas of work aimed at implementing the key objectives outlined in the Community Wetlands Forum CLG Strategic Plan.

For Full Job Description and Application Process please visit our website:
https://communitywetlandsforum.ie/cwf-job-openings-apply-now/

Closing date – The deadline for the receipt of applications is 5 pm Friday June 12th 2026.

All candidates will be notified over email once the shortlisting process has been completed.

These roles are funded thanks to the support of the National Parks & Wildlife Service.

The Community Wetlands Forum (CWF) was established to promote, develop, and support community-led wetland conservation for the public benefit; and to provide a representative platform for community-led wetland conservation groups.

27/05/2026

Check out the latest update from Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark

We have just sent our subscribers our latest newsletter focussing on the celebrations of our official UNESCO status ratification, its benefits and the publicity attached with that, the recent annual business networking event and community forum, new opportunities for the development of tourism and businesses in our communities, current education programme activities, launch of audio trail at 3 geosites, progress on geoheritage projects, a new cooperation project among UNESCO designations on the island of Ireland and the application for a creative arts project engaging communities about climate action.

https://joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie/en/news/newsletter-issue-19-may-2026/

If you want to subscribe, click on the link below:
https://joycecountrygeoparkproject.ie/subscribe/

JCWL GeoEnterprise Mayo.ie Galway County Heritage Office Galway County Biodiversity Office Geological Survey Ireland Údarás na Gaeltachta Fáilte Ireland Coillte Connemara.ie

27/05/2026

Inishbofin Summer School 2026 – Now Open for Booking

The Inishbofin Summer School returns for its 42nd year, taking place on Inishbofin Island from 6–10 July 2026.

Open to adults (18+)
Approved for 3 EPV days for teachers (on full completion)
Fees: €165 (standard) / €100 (retired rate)

The programme includes a series of guided walks, talks and workshops exploring:

Island habitats and outdoor learning
Conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals
Wellbeing and connecting with nature
Local history and sense of place
Creative writing and art

Established in 1984, the Inishbofin Summer School is Ireland's longest-running environmental school.
The school works with the multi-disciplined team, some of which this year include marine biologists Sibéal Regan and Noirin Burke, ecologist, and artist Gordon D'Arcy, ecologist and conservationist Conor Ryan, local historian Tommy Burke, Environmental Education Specialist Kay Synott and award-winning poet, songwriter and children's writer Catherine Ann Cullen.

BOOK NOW:
https://ecom.roller.app/nationalaquarium/summerschoolinishbofin/en/home

The Summer School is for people over 18 only.

27/05/2026

Great to see the students of Inishbofin National School taking an interest in moths. Did you know that we have about 35 species of butterflies in Ireland and over 1,400 moth species! Some of them are pretty spectacular, including this Buff-tip Moth that looks just like a bit of a twig! Quite the disguise! Well done to the students for spotting it! Don't forget to record your sighting with the National Biodiversity Data Centre https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/moths #7/53.455/-8.016 This means that scientists will be able to use this information when studying the moths of the island.

27/05/2026

Join us at Galway City Library on Thursday 4th June at 3pm for a Gardening for Biodiversity & Wellbeing workshop. Discover how any outdoor space can become a year-round haven for wildlife and wellbeing.

This is a free event, open to all, but places are limited. Please book your free ticket at https://bit.ly/GCL-BioDiv26

This event is brought to you by Europe Direct.


Galway Public Libraries Europe Direct Ballinasloe Galway City Community Network Galway City Council Merlin Park Woods Galway County Biodiversity Office

26/05/2026

This beautiful Wall Brown butterfly, often seen basking on sunny stone walls, is just one example of the wildlife supported by traditional dry stone walls. These structures provide warm, sheltered spaces and act as vital habitats for insects, birds, lichens and mosses.

Learn how you can build sturdy and beautiful dry stone walls with hands-on training and expert guidance with The Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland!

🧱 Introduction to Dry Stone Wall Construction (Weekend Workshop)
📅 Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June
🕤 9.30am – 4.30pm
📍 Brigit's Garden & Café, Connemara, Co. Galway
💶 €108.23 (subsidised rate)

Delivered by the Dry Stone Wall Association of Ireland, in association with National Built Heritage Service and Intangible Cultural Heritage Ireland, this hands-on workshop will teach participants how to build and repair stone walls using traditional techniques — helping to sustain both our built heritage and biodiversity.

✅ Suitable for beginners and those with some experience
✅ Learn practical conservation skills
✅ Support wildlife-friendly landscapes

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

👉https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-dry-stone-wall-construction-weekend-connemara-tickets-1847583805899?aff=erellivmlt

Protect these beautiful features of our landscape — for biodiversity, built heritage, intangible heritage and future generations.

24/05/2026

Oranmore Library will celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg on June 6th with 2 craft workshops with Aoife Munn. Marbling Art, 9.30-10.30am for ages 6+ and Natural Art, 11am-12pm for all ages. Booking essential due to limited places.

24/05/2026

Highlight of todays species count at Rinvile Park, a dozen Early Marsh Orchids in one of th No Mow areas. Only other location we know of them near Galway City is in the South Meadows at Merlin Park.

24/05/2026

📰 Newsflash 📰
Our latest newsletter has arrived. Pg one below, the whole package at the link. Spread far and wide 🥳
ACRES West Connacht National Parks and Wildlife Service LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE Programme BirdWatch Ireland An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland Christopher O'Sullivan TD Malcolm Noonan T.D. Breeding Waders EIP Project

https://www.lifeonmachair.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LOM-Spring-Newsletter-2026.pdf

24/05/2026

Join us tonight for our last event of National Biodiversity Week 2026.. with the wonderful Jamie Durrant, Conservation Ranger of the National Parks and Wildlife Service .. Bígí Linn
Irish Environmental Network fans Weekend In The Hills, Festival of Traditional Crafts. Rights of Nature Ireland Galway County Biodiversity Office CELT Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage