Parkes Castle welcomes all to hear birds call

Parkes Castle staff are excited to welcome the public to join them in the celebration of Ireland’s natural diversity, as they plan a range of events throughout National Biodiversity Week.

This weekend there are events each day, to mark the beginning of National Biodiversity Week.

On Saturday, 20 May at 10am Michael Bell of Nature Learn and Birdwatch Ireland will guide a Bird Song walk in the beautiful Cartron Glen, followed by a discussion at 11.30am on the same theme at the castle.

On Sunday, 21 May, families are invited to come along from 12 noon to 2pm and learn about biodiversity with botanist and ecologist, Dr Dolores Byrne of ATU.

Speaking ahead of Biodiversity Week, Minister for the OPW Patrick O’Donovan said:

“As an organisation, the OPW is committed to doing more to protect and enhance Ireland’s biodiversity. Whether we are designing or adapting lands, buildings or waterway structures to provide homes for wildlife, we are working to support our native species of wildlife and their habitats wherever possible. We also encourage the public to help us as we work across all OPW sites to secure the future for biodiversity in our country.”

Speaking about the events this weekend, Parkes Castle supervisor guide Emma Timoney said:

“We can accommodate 35 people on the walk, so we encourage people who are interested in coming along to sign up at our Eventbrite listings and bear in mind that spaces are limited. We want to ensure the experience has maximum uptake but causes minimum impact on the natural environment of the woods. All life depends upon biodiversity. Every species, including humans, depends upon its connection with other plants, animals and habitats.

“Throughout the week we will be hosting local schools in a joint project with the Heritage Council’s Heritage in Schools programme.

“On Tuesday 23 May, we will give a tour of the flora of the castle walls and battlements."

“This is our first celebration of Biodiversity week at Parkes Castle. We are delighted to welcome the community to share in the natural beauty and wonder that Parkes Castle has to offer.”

During the second weekend the castle’s own guide, Dara, will hold two days of hands-on, family-friendly lake biodiversity workshops.

All events are free, but places must be reserved through Eventbrite listings.

For further information, please go to facebook.com/parkescastle or email parkescastle@opw.ie

Biodiversity audits have been undertaken at ten heritage sites under the care of the Office of Public Works (OPW) over the past year.

The audits form part of the OPW’s five-year biodiversity action strategy launched in 2022 and have found that continued vigilance is needed to control non-native invasive plant species (NNIS).

Conducted by JBA Consulting, the audits found the sites, both urban and rural, were extremely rich in biodiversity and commended the continuous efforts by OPW staff to preserve and enhance that biodiversity.

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Notes

Based on its Biodiversity Action Strategy published in May 2022 the OPW has undertaken a number of actions.

It has recently published ten biodiversity audits undertaken at ten heritage sites around the country. The audits were undertaken as part of the OPW’s five-year biodiversity action strategy launched last year, which found that continued vigilance is needed to control non-native invasive plant species (NNIS). A key recommendation of the report was to develop invasive species management plans to control NNIS, particularly third schedule plants. These plans have been developed and are currently being implemented.

Bats at several of the sites would benefit from a sympathetic lighting regime, the audits found, and from the retention of a dark zone between identified roosts and key foraging areas.

The audits found the sites, both urban and rural, were extremely rich in biodiversity and commended the continuous efforts by OPW staff to preserve and enhance that biodiversity.

The current management methods utilised at Castletown House, Kildare, were noted as being highly effective at promoting biodiversity.

The audit report stated:

“The presence of Annex I habitats at this location reflects the excellent management by staff at the site. Additionally, the status of the site as a standard and exemplar site for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan indicates the high level that this site has achieved.”

Since the strategy’s launch, a number of initiatives have been enacted by the OPW to promote and protect biodiversity, which is coming under ever-increasing pressure.

The full list of Biodiversity Week events being hosted across the country at OPW sites can be found on the Heritage Ireland website.