Waterford Wildlife

Bealtaine Festival 2011 at WIT

In Celtic times, the festival of Bealtaine celebrated the arrival of Summer. Seven years ago, the CALMAST Centre at WIT initiated the Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science, organising events to encourage children and adults to appreciate and explore their environment and the wildlife associated with it. The Festival of Outdoor Science celebrates our living planet with an emphasis on activities outdoors, understanding our surroundings and the plants and animals with which we share this place with. It does this in association with other groups in this general area such as the Copper Coast Geopark, Lismore Heritage Centre, Waterford City and County Councils, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Fenor Bog etc. This year's festival is to take place between the 20th and 27th May and offers primary and secondary school pupils along with families and the general public the chance to explore aspects of the natural world around them. It has organised events on days, in the evenings and weekends to suit adults and families. All events are free of charge

Events for families and the general public this year include a Dawn Chorus Day at Carriganore (WIT West Campus) on Sunday 20th May, and a guided walk on the 21st. and with a visit to Fenor Bog on the 22nd. On the 22nd. you can learn to navigate in the Bunmahon area and later go to investigate the dunes at Tramore. On the 23rd. you can investigate river ecology at Kill and take part in a guided walk about Dunhill Castle.

For Secondary Schools, special activities include Investigation of Streams and Rivers, investigating the amazing world of plants and using your imagination to get from A to B without getting your feet wet or your hands dirty.

Primary school activities include an examination of the World of Feathers with Eric Dempsey, fabulous fun with rabbits, a trip to the JFK Arboretum, build a bird box and how to survive in the wilderness.

Activities continue until the 27th May and also includes a mountain walk, identification of bats, beach development an building a giant mosaic at Annestown.

All activities are led by experts that are utterly familiar with the subject matter involved and will assist with the identification of anything encountered making these events both interesting and educational. All events are free of charge but must be pre-booked with Eleanor Reade at 051 302037 or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

These may also be contacted for a brochure giving full details for each event. . See the Bealtaine Festival's website at http://www.livingearth.ie/2012 for the full program of events.