The weather might not be as nice as last week, but without the rain everything wouldn't be so green! And, the mixed weather means more life and so we want kids to take part in Wild Child Day!
It's all part of National Heritage Week and the guys at the Heritage Council have some great ideas for things to do on the day.
Wild Child Day at Hazelwood Forest Park
Sessions at 10am, 12.30pm to 3pm
Head to Hazelwood Forest Park on the shores of Lough Gill in County Sligo for a fantastic day of fun outdoor activities for all the family. We will be exploring and learning all about nature and this unique environment.
Hazelwood's alluvial forest is a wonderful space to experience the wonders of the natural world.
Meet at the car park in Hazelwood - it is well signposted - at the times listed below. There will be three two-hour sessions on the day starting at 10am, 12.30pm, and 3pm.
Depending on the forecast bring suitable clothing, especially footwear. This Wild Child event is funded by the Heritage Council through the Heritage in Schools Programme.
Please register for this event by emailing leavenotracemicheal@gmail.com.
BioBlitz Castlecomer 2022
Castlecomer Discovery Park, County Kilkenny 20 August 7am to 3pm
There are many planned open events over the 24 hours from butterfly, bird and bat walks to moth attraction and river kick-sampling. We will also have craft demonstrations by Woodlands of Ireland and more.
For further information contact: lscott@heritagecouncil.ie and see Castlecomer Discovery Park events webpage page here,
Much of the walking paths are wheelchair accessible, some off-track is expected for many survey events/ walks but participation is encouraged.
Note: While the event is FREE there is a charge for car parking at the park.
And you can try your own bioblitz wherever you are with these resources from Biodiversity Ireland.
See what's in your back yard or around your area!
Minibeasts of Mount Merrion on Wild Child Day 2022
Deerpark Playground 10am to 1pm & 2pm to 4pm
Join Nessa Darcy, a Creative Entomologist, in making an insect inventory of Deerpark, Mount Merrion!
Bring the whole family to take part in a bug hunting adventure in the wilds of the park. Halfway through the event, we will take our bugs to Mount Merrion Community Centre to identify them under the microscope, and contribute our records to the National Biodiversity Data Centre's citizen science schemes.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has wisely been letting areas of the park grow wild and it has had wonderful benefits for local biodiversity. We are bound to find a spectacular array of bees, beetles, butterflies, shield bugs, wasps, hoverflies, woodlice, moths, spiders and more!
This family event will take place from 10am to 1pm and again from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 20th August. Places are limited and booking is essential, so register now on Eventbrite!
Thank you to the Heritage in Schools scheme, Mount Merrion Residents Association Environmental Group, Mount Merrion Community Centre, and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for supporting this event.
This event is for children of all ages, who must be accompanied by their adults!
Ecology For Children - Walk The Woodland Trail at The Famine Museum
Strokestown Park, County Roscommon 2pm to 4pm
Find beauty and magic in the mature woodlands of Strokestown Park, where children and big children alike will discover the rich ecology of our natural heritage.
Teaching young children about ecology and the environment will teach them lessons they will take through the rest of their life. If children learn to respect and care for the world they live in and the wildlife within it from a young age they will help to preserve it for the next generation. They will become advocates for protecting nature.
Find adventure on our family-friendly woodland trail, and make music on our outdoor xylophone.
Admire impressive specimens of mature Beech and Oak, planted by Henry Pakenham-Mahon over 300 years ago.
Roam through lush woodlands, listen to the birds sing, and reflect at our peaceful forest bathing stations set in the serene rural Roscommon landscape.
The woodland trail is unpaved so wear suitable footwear. Suitable for all ages!
Myshall Community Family Biodiversity Day
Tobar Bhride Community Park, Myshall, County Carlow 4pm to 6pm
This Wild Child Day Biodiversity event showcases the rich biodiversity found within the beautiful heritage garden spaces of Myshall, County Carlow. The event focuses on family participation using a 'Dig a little', 'Plant a little' and 'Play a little' approach.
Activities will include biodiversity awareness sharing, flower bed planting, bird feeder crafting, tree trail and heritage trail scavenger hunting and much much more!
Families are encouraged to bring their blankets and picnic baskets for a 'Wild Child Picnic' to finish off the day.
Wild Child - Bog Bug Safari
OPW's Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, County Longford 3pm
Join our Guides on safari in search of strange and interesting bog bugs. Learn their secrets, what they like to eat, where they live.
Suitable for ages 7 to 13 years with adult supervision. No booking required!
National Heritage Week, an initiative by the Heritage Council, celebrates all things heritage. It brings together communities, families, organisations, cultural institutions, academics and enthusiasts, to build awareness about the value of heritage and support its conservation.
Click here to see all the Wild Child events taking place across the country.
