Woodlands of Ireland

11/06/2026

Native Woodland Event

Friday June 12th

Sara Sheridan Conservation Ranger NPWS and Paul Butler Forestry Liaison Officer

Will lead an information session and guided walk on the importance of native woodlands, their management, establishment and conservation.

Booking required, please email : [email protected]
With your name and contact number.

10/06/2026

21/05/2026

Join us on Friday May 22nd for our final National Biodiversity Week 2026 event taking place at Teagasc Oakpark, Co. Carlow.

An event celebrating International Day of Biological Diversity, co-hosted by Teagasc and Woodlands of Ireland.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/hedge-habitat-zones-in-a-farmed-landscape-intro-to-hedgerow-appraisal-tickets-1986634282618?

Learn more about Hedgerow biodiversity and how to use the Hedgerow appraisal system to record species diversity from ground flora to shrubs, trees and structural integrity.

Hear more about Ash Dieback, Dutch Elm disease research from Teagasc researchers and go on a field trip to explore nearby hedgerows.

International Day for Biological Diversity Programme of Events:

9.15am: Arrive - refreshments
9.30am: Teagasc Signpost webinar on the big screen: Beast of Burden – how can we enhance biodiversity on farmland? by Dr. Saorla Kavanagh, Research Officer, Teagasc.
10.30am: Introductions and schedule.
10.45am: Neil Foulkes, Hedge Conservation and Management consultant and Joe Gowran, CEO of Woodlands of Ireland describe the background to the development of the Hedgerow Appraisal System (HAS), its purpose, how it has been used and its potential future evolution.
11.30am: Questions and Discussion about the HAS.
11.50am: Ivan Kelly (Teagasc Climate & Biodiversity KT) describes his work with farmers on Knowledge Transfer and how hedge habitat zones feature in it.
12.10am: Bailey Parkhouse (Walsh Scholar, Teagasc Researcher) briefly describes her research work on Ash dieback.
12.20pm: Introduction to the afternoon plan.
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Assemble at point TBC for transport to the hedges for further illustration about how the HAS data is recorded.
1.45pm: View hedges and other wooded lands at Oak Park and have discussions.
3.45pm: Conclude and depart.

This event is made possible with funding from the Irish Environmental Network. Thanks to Teagasc for the use of the Oak Park facility and to Teagasc staff for helping to facilitate the event.

Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from the The Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

20/05/2026

If you are interested in native tree seed collection or in starting a native tree nursery then this National Biodiversity Week 2026 event is for you!

Taking place Thursday, 21 May 2026 at
The Acorn Project Graine Native Tree Nursery, Co. Kilkenny from 10am-3.30pm.

There will be a site visit to the native tree nursery as well as an Elm seed collection portion of the event for the Acorn project.

Woodlands of Ireland organises Technical Advisory Panel group networking meetings on topics related to native tree cover. One of these groups was set up during the pandemic on the topic of native tree seed collection and sustainable plant production. Initially, these meetings took place online during the pandemic and now in person throughout the island of Ireland with site visits to native tree nurseries.

If you are interested in attending this networking meeting, please email [email protected] with your interest.



The Heritage Council National Parks and Wildlife Service Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

19/05/2026

Friday May 22nd 2026 - Teagasc, Oakpark, Co. Carlow
Hedge Habitat Zones in a farmed landscape featuring ‘An Introduction to the Hedgerow Appraisal System

Register: https://biodiversityweek.ie/event/an-introduction-to-the-hedgerow-appraisal-system/

Join us on May 22nd, International Day for Biological Diversity, during .biodiversity.week 2026 at Oakpark, Carlow for a day of biodiversity talks and field trips with a focus on Hedgerows.

This event is made possible by funding from the

We look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning and exploration in one of Mayo’s rich woodland landscapes.


Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from the and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

19/05/2026

Looking forward to our second National Biodiversity Week 2026 event 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 at Enniscoe House Co Mayo on Wednesday May 20th from 10.30am-4.30pm

https://biodiversityweek.ie/event/woodland-ecology-aspects/

Still time to book a place at this event which will explore key woodland ecology concepts through both an indoor presentation and an outdoor guided walk led by ecologist Aidan Corcoran Participants will gain insight into plant succession, the role of disturbance in shaping woodland ecosystems, and the principles of coppice silviculture as a traditional and sustainable woodland management practice.

This workshop offers a valuable opportunity for anyone interested in native woodlands, biodiversity, and ecological processes to deepen their understanding in a practical, field-based setting.



This event is made possible by funding from the Irish Environmental Network. We look forward to welcoming you for a day of learning and exploration in one of Mayo’s rich woodland landscapes.


Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from the The Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Join Woodlands of Ireland for an engaging and informative workshop, ‘Naturalness, Humans and Woodland Diversity’, taking place during National Biodiversity Week 2026 at the beautiful setting of Enniscoe House, Prospect,...

11/05/2026

Want to know more about Ash and Elm in Ireland?

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/47YBlhj1TTSc2zhPW1z2qg

Join our webinar this Friday, May 15th, from 1pm to 2pm to hear from Dheeraj Rathore of the Teagasc Forest Development Department on how Ash and elm are iconic parts of Ireland’s landscape, yet both face serious threats from disease. This webinar presentation will explore why conserving these species matters for biodiversity, heritage, and future forests, what research is underway to support their recovery, and how citizens can play an active role in identifying and protecting resilient trees.
You can find out more about the AshForFuture project at the following link: https://teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/research/ashforfuture/

The webinar will also feature updates on the Carlow Catchments Hedgerow Survey’ with Neil Foulkes, Hedge Conservation and Management consultant and Joe Gowran, CEO of Woodlands of Ireland. The project was initiated by Shane Casey, Biodiversity Officer for Carlow County Council.
You can find out more about the Hedge Project at the following link: https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/project/hedge-project/

Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from The Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

fans

06/05/2026

Woodlands of Ireland is delighted to mark National Biodiversity Week 2026 by hosting four engaging events that highlight the importance of Ireland’s native woodlands, hedgerows, biodiversity research, and sustainable land management.

https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/celebrating-national-biodiversity-week-2026-with-woodlands-of-ireland/

Running from 15–22 May 2026, these events bring together researchers, landowners, practitioners, communities, and anyone with an interest in protecting and restoring Ireland’s natural heritage. From webinars and field visits to seed collection and practical demonstrations, this year’s programme reflects Woodlands of Ireland’s commitment to education, collaboration, and biodiversity action.

Some of these events are made possible with supportive funding from the Irish Environmental Network.

Woodlands of Ireland is grateful for the core funding we receive from The Heritage Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

fans

27/04/2026

24/04/2026

Our curated Native Woodland Event Calendar highlights activities connected to Ireland's native woodlands, offering opportunities to engage with nature, conservation efforts and courses across the country. From guided woodland walks, to educational workshops and professional development courses for foresters, ecologists and the general public, these events are designed to deepen your understanding of Ireland's rich woodland heritage. Events are organised by groups and organisations around Ireland, get in contact with them directly for more information.

https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/calendar/

Check out the calendar for details on the following this weekend:

Saturday 25th April:
Guided Tour: Reading the Woods – A tour of ancient oak coppice in Wicklow by Mike Carswell of Wicklow Coppice
A one-day guided tour of two ancient sessile oak coppice woodlands in Wicklow to show how these woods were managed in the past, how this led to their flourishing and how their subsequent neglect has led to their decline.

Saturday 25th April:
Volunteering/Talk: Restoring on a Small Scale: Invasive Species, Native Planting & Wildlife Habitat - Cork by Cecas.ie
What does it actually take to restore a small piece of land? Not in theory, but in real life.
Come along to Friends of Myross Wood, the volunteer group at CECAS, and spend a morning caring for this special place from 10am-12.
Then, stay for a talk from author and Canadian ecologist, Christopher Drake, whose new book on environmental stewardship and small-scale ecosystem restoration is built from years of hands-on work.

Sunday 25th April:
Green Woodwork Ireland presents: Spooncarving - Ballynahatty Road Belfast BT8 8LE Northern Ireland
Spooncarving is one of the most accessible and enjoyable woodcrafts you can experience. Using traditional tools to shape green [unseasoned] wood is a pleasure that is hard to match. The beauty of green wood lies in its ability to be shaped easily as it is soft and easily worked with hand tools.

For more events in May, check out our calendar.
https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/calendar/



Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine National Parks and Wildlife Service The Heritage Council Irish Environmental Network