Burrenbeo Snapshot August 2024

Dropwort/ lus braonach (images above) is a beautiful Burren specialty and its name comes from the tubers that hang like drops from the root. Its larger flowered cousin, meadowsweet, is much more widespread and was used for flavouring beer and, when strewn on the floor with rushes, as an ‘air freshener’ of sorts! (MacCoitir, 2015).

Thank you as ever for your continued interest in and support of our work. For those who do not yet, we invite you to Support Us by becoming a member or donating.

‘Burren wildflowers through the year’ with Lynda Weekes

Wonderful Wednesday Webinar

8pm, Wednesday, 14th August

Join botanist Lynda Weekes as she talks about some of the Burren’s most stunning wildflowers observed through the year, and addresses questions like why some of the unusual flowers are there at all and where they may have came from. Lynda Weekes is a botanist and she lectures in Wildlife Biology in the Institute of Technology, Tralee. She is a regular visitor to the Burren, and has done extensive field work with the Burren Programme team. She has a long-standing interest in Botany and Biodiversity and her career has included working with the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford. Her botanical interests include bogland and heath, freshwater aquatic, limestone karst and grassland vegetation. Registration link is sent to Members. Sign up for Membership at burrenbeo.com The webinar will also be recorded and uploaded to our YouTube channel where you will find recordings of all our monthly Wonderful Wednesday Webinars to date.

The Hare’s Corner Update

The Hare’s Corner Project is in full swing in counties Meath, Mayo, Leitrim, and Galway (county and city). All applicants have been notified whether they have been successful or not or are on a waiting list for all of the biodiversity actions (Wildlife Ponds, Plans for Nature, Native Woodlands, Heritage Orchards, and Peatland Plans) based on scores, selected priorities, and available funding. Currently 8 Pond consultants have already carried out about 120 site visits – out of which 90 are being approved for grant funding for wildlife ponds. We have 13 Plan for Nature consultants carrying out close to 150 site visits. Peatland Plan visits are also underway in counties Mayo and Galway with our Peatland specialist partners in ‘Wild Atlantic Nature’ group, where over 40 site visits will be carried out. The Native Woodland and Heritage Orchard biodiversity actions won’t take place until the winter when the bare-root stock becomes available. We estimate around 1,000 sites in these 4 counties will benefit from biodiversity actions taken through this project in 2024. More info at burrenbeo.com/thc.

Heritage Keepers Update

Applications Open on 3rd September

A wonderful opportunity for community groups and national schools (5th & 6th classes) based anywhere in the country – we are opening applications for the free Heritage Keepers course that provides knowledge tools and funding for local heritage actions. The course is delivered online over a 5-week period. Visit heritagekeepers.ie for further info or keep an eye on our social channels for the application link when it is announced. Do spread the word if you can! This year’s programme is partially funded by The Sunflower Charitable Foundation through Community Foundation Ireland.

Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers Update

BCVs will be coming together this month for some stone wall building in the company of Burren farmer and ACRES Project Agriculturist Aoife Forde and learning how to care for the beautiful Burren dry stone walls in a lovely location. August is also the month for the annual BCV social – where volunteers will be invited for a guided walk and picnic – a small gesture of our gratitude for all the hard work they do through the year. Booking links for these events are sent to volunteers. To join our volunteers group, please email [email protected]

Members’ Walks

Huge thanks to Brendan Dunford and Cilian Roden for leading the July Members walks to Burren farms in Carron . In August, a historical walk with Dick Cronin to Dystert O’Dea Castle in Corofin and a farm walk with Burren farmer Vinnie Keane have been organised. Booking links are sent to Members. Sign up for Membership at burrenbeo.com

For information on ongoing community initiatives and events, please scroll down on the
Community News and Events page

Bold Web Story Designs – a warm welcome to our newest Business Member. They offer a full website design and implementation service and work with individuals and organisations in a range of industries.

Fiddle and Bow – Their Russell’s Seafood Bar, Coffee Shop and Fish Shop are open daily. Their newest addition – The Rocket House shop is open daily from 8.30am – 5.30pm at Doolin Pier.

The Burren Perfumery is now open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m each day, tearooms from 10.30 a.m to 5 p.m. They run three public tours and a perfume experience a day, and have new workshops coming up that can be booked through eventbrite.

For full information on our Business Members’ News and Events, please click here.

Support Burrenbeo’s Business friends
Find the full list of our Business Friends or check them out in the image below.

Burrenbeo Trust is a landscape charity that does not receive any core funding. We work hard to sustain our 25 plus programmes each year, connecting people with place and their role in caring for them. There are many ways you can support us.