Press release

OPW announces the return of the Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show at Phoenix Park, Dublin

From: Office of Public Works
Published on: 28 August 2025
Last updated on: 28 August 2025

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is delighted to welcome the Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show taking place on Saturday, 6 September 2025 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. From forest bathing to mythological tree tours, to pond dipping to the honey show, visitors can expect an exciting programme of free tours, lectures, and activities catering for nature enthusiasts both young and old.

Minister of State with the responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD said: “I am delighted to see the return of this popular festival for the 9th year. The annual Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show showcases the pivotal role the Phoenix Park plays in managing biodiversity in Dublin City. This is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to come together and learn about the diverse plant and animal species that inhabit our Park. The educational workshops and tours on offer at this years’ Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show will help us understand what we can do to protect and conserve our environment. I welcome visitors of all ages to join us for the Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show on Saturday, 6 September.”

Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show (2)

There will be a number of free educational workshops, talks and tours on beekeeping, the animals of the Phoenix Park and on a variety of other interesting topics. Some of these include talks by Kate Chandler of the National Biodiversity Data Centre on Invasive Species. Our very own OPW Ecologist, Criostóir Mac Cuirc will discuss enhancing and maintaining biodiversity in our communities.

Tours of the beautifully restored Victorian Walled Garden will take place on the day. Why not take a stroll along the colourful herbaceous border, admire the dahlias and marvel at espaliered fruit trees.

Biodiversity Festival and Honey Show (1)

Face painters will be onsite from 11.00 to 16.00 to turn your little Princes into a frog, and Princesses into a butterfly for the day.

For further information on event bookings please contact phoenixparkvisitorcentre@opw.ie or 01 677 0095. Full details on the programme of events over the weekend can be obtained at www.phoenixpark.ie.

OPW spokespersons are available for interview upon request. Please contact pressoffice@opw.ie for more information and to arrange an interview.

The Office of Public Works (OPW)

The OPW provides accommodation for Government Services and manages much of the State’s property portfolio.

It cares for 780 heritage sites, including national monuments, historic parks, gardens and buildings. It is the Government’s principal engineering agency, providing an engineering service to the Flood Risk Management and Estate Portfolio Management functions of the OPW as well as to other Government Departments.

NOTES

Talks at Visitor Centre/ Ashtown Demesne, 6 September

12.00-13.00 - Invasive Species, Kate Chandler, National Biodiversity Data Centre

13.00-14.00 - Observing Climate Change in your Garden, Aoife Ní Bhroin of Met Éireann

14.00-15.00 - Dark Sky Ireland, Georgia MacMillan, Mayo Dark Sky

15.00-16.00 – OPW’s Enhancing/ Maintaining Biodiversity, Criostóir Mac Cuirc, OPW Ecologist

The full programme is available at www.phoenixpark.ie