Podcasts about heritage council

Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, and the rhythms of daily existence were shaped by isolation, resilience, and community spirit.In this evocative episode, which concludes a series on the Wicklow Military Road, historian Fin Dwyer shares the stories of people who lived in this isolated and remote valley.Recorded in a 200-year-old inn, this episode weaves together personal recollections, local history, and the enduring landscape of Glenmalure. It is a tribute to a way of life that has only recently disappeared!The episode features the voices of Carmel O'Toole, Michael Fewer, Marion McEvoy, Hugh McLindon, and Pat Dunne. This episode would not have been possible by the hours of recordings with the Glenamalure Pure Mile Group.Thanks to the Glenmalure Lodge for faciliating this episode.A special thanks to Deirdre Burns, the Heritage Officer of Wicklow County Council.This episode was funded by Wicklow County Council and the Heritage Council.Sound by Kate Dunlea.200 Anniversary Events to mark the death of Michael Dwyer This year marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Michael Dwyer, the rebel who played a pivotal role in the history of the Wicklow Military Road. On August 23rd, 2025, a special event is being organised to explore Michael Dwyer, his life, and his legacy. Find out more here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michael-dwyer-200-registration-1358221520129?aff=oddtdtcreatorBooks on Glenmalure and the Wicklow Military Road:Carmel O'Toole: Glenmalure: The Wild Heart of the MountainsMichael Fewer: The Wicklow Military RoadAdditional Sources:Marion McEvoy https://marionmcevoy.com/Glenmalure Lodge https://glenmalurelodge.ie/Glenmalure hostel (the former home of Dr Kathleen Lynn) https://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/p/15098/glenmalure-hostel-hostelling-international/ Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Glendalough is one of Ireland's most iconic and picturesque destinations. Its medieval monastery and stunning mountain landscape attract around one million tourists every year. However behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a history that rarely makes it into the tourist brochures.In this episode, I veer off the well-trodden paths to uncover the real stories of Glendalough: stories of violence, exploitation, and transformation that have shaped the valley for centuries. This includes its early medieval history as a 'military industrial complex' and a very special interview with Robbie Carter - a former lead miner in the area.This episode will change the way you see one of Ireland's most famous historic sites.The podcast features Frank Tracy, Graeme Warren, Margaret Duff Garvey Pat Reid and Robbie Carter. A special thanks to Deirdre Burns.This episode was funded by Wicklow Co Council and the Heritage Council.Sound by Kate Dunlea. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For National Biodiversity Week we bring you stories of traditional farming and rural life and how they relate to biodiversity.  There are very few direct references to biodiversity in the Cuimhneamh an Chláir archive since that concept has only become part of common language in more recent times.  However there are stories of plant life and nature, cures, dyes, farming practices etc that tell us in subtle ways about biodiversity and environmental sustainability.Featured are Brendan Dunford from Tubber (Burren Beo Trust), John Vaughan from Kilfenora, Pat & Oliver Nagle from Corofin, Sean O' Halloran from Kilfenora, Paddy Joe McMahon from Cappabane, Scariff, Teresa Flynn from Mountshannon, Thomas Barry from Inagh, Michael McGrath from Lisdoonvarna / Scariff, Bridie Mahony from Moughna, Catherine Talty from Coore.  The collectors / cuairteóirí are Paula Carroll, Tomás MacConmara, Frances Madigan.For more of Catherine Talty's self-recordings check the Cuimhneamh an Chláir collections at Digital Repository of Ireland, supported by The Heritage Council.  GLOSSARY OF TERMSSwallow hole: Many rivers in the Burren area of Co. Clare flow underground as well as overground, due to the many fissures in the limestone pavement. Swallow holes are the point at which the surface water disappears underground.In Seán O' Halloran's account:Scailp (Irish): The cleft between rocks, very common in the Burren in Co. ClareRúitín (Irish): AnkleFáisceán (Irish): – a home-made tourniquet used to keep an animal's broken leg bound and immobilised Series 2 of The Clare Oral History Podcast is supported by The Ireland Funds Follow Cuimhneamh an Chláir on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn

Vast, windswept, and seemingly untouched—the landscape around the Sally Gap in Wicklow is a place where history appears to vanish into the heather and mist. With no houses and few traces of human settlement, this moorland feels like a true wilderness.Yet, the story of this landscape is one forged by ancient forces, human ambition, and exploitation. In this episode, I continue my journey down the Wicklow Military Road into what some have called one of Ireland's last great wildernesses, uncovering a hidden history that stretches back thousands of years.Written, Produced & Narrated by Fin DwyerSound by Kate DunleaFeaturing: Frank Tracy, Deirdre Burns, Faith Wilson, Michael Fewer, Graeme Warren & Margaret Duff Garvey.This episode was funded by Wicklow Co Council and The Heritage Council. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1800, in the wake of the 1798 Rebellion, the British military began construction of the Wicklow Military Road. Designed to bring control to the so-called “bandit country” of the Wicklow Mountains, this road now winds through some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland. Its history is as dramatic as the scenery it traverses. Built in an Ireland still reeling from insurrection, the road has, over the past two centuries, borne witness to some of the most remarkable—and often dark—chapters in our history. From disappearances during the Irish Civil War to a German war cemetery, the Wicklow Military Road is a route steeped in intrigue and untold stories. This podcast explores this road through Ireland's bandit country.Thanks to Michael Fewer, Margaret Duff Garvey, Joan Kavanagh, Faith Wilson & Frank Tracy.Special Thanks to Deirdre Burns.Written & Produced: Fin DwyerNarration: Fin DwyerSound: Kate DunleaFunded by Wicklow Co Co & The Heritage Council Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/irishhistory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Interview with Gavin Chamberlain, CEO, and Matt Horgan, VP Corporate Development, of Bannerman Energy Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/bannerman-energy-asxbmn-strategically-positioned-for-uranium-resurgence-5875Recording date: 18th March 2025Bannerman Energy is making steady progress on its Etango uranium project in Namibia, having completed essential infrastructure including access roads and water facilities. The company has now moved into internal roadworks, construction power implementation, and bulk earthworks, with all blast work completed without incidents.CEO Gavin Chamberlain highlighted their effective water management strategy: "We built a storage dam on site with 10 days storage and since we built that dam, we've had two notified stoppages of the desalination plant, but because we had 10-day storage on site we haven't actually had to stop construction once."The company maintains a conservative financial approach with $81 million AUD in the bank as of the end of 2024, providing runway into 2026. Bannerman currently has no debt, and all running contracts have been committed within their cash flow projections. Despite careful capital deployment, the company maintains its target to bring uranium to market by 2028.Risk mitigation remains a priority, with contracts being broken into smaller packages to reduce financial exposure and enable participation by Namibian contractors. For mechanical contracts, Bannerman has implemented a two-phase approach with secured escalation formulas during competitive bidding.All primary approvals necessary for the project are in place, including environmental licenses, mining licenses, and Heritage Council approvals. Chamberlain characterized Namibia as "Africa light," noting the country's stable business environment and established 46-year history in uranium production.Recently appointed VP Business Development and Investor Relations Matt Horgan brings 15 years of mining sector experience to the company. He emphasized Bannerman's funding approach: "One of the worst things we could do at the moment is pull the trigger preemptively on a highly dilutive equity raise."The company is pursuing multiple funding work streams, including equity investors, debt financing, and potential strategic stakeholders, while navigating a volatile uranium market that has seen prices drop from $107 to the low $60s.Horgan highlighted Namibia's political independence as a strategic advantage, allowing the company to "sell to many places and secure funding channels that other projects may not be able to tap into." The project's multigenerational nature also attracts potential strategic investors looking for long-term supply security.Looking ahead to 2025, Bannerman anticipates completing roadworks and construction power infrastructure while continuing bulk earthworks. Chamberlain expressed cautious optimism that "before the end of this year we will see some form of movement on final financing solutions."View Bannerman Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/bannerman-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Dolcie not only mastered the trade but became the first woman to be awarded Master Plasterer by the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers.Dolcie also says: There is a fantastic year long upskill course for people in construction run by the heritage council and applications close on the 11th April called the All Ireland Heritage Skills course It's provides a monthly bursary of €1600 and goes through all trades from a heritage point of view. You can find the details on the Heritage Council website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How the Heritage Council has helped some of the farmyards in the country to restore tumbledown farm buildings.

Send us a textIn our last episode of 2024, In Your Nature welcomes a well-known nature celebrity for a very lively chat. Niall and Ricky speak to Éanna Ní Lamhna about biodiversity and her long track record of writing, broadcasting and advocating about and for Ireland's flora and fauna. Éanna gives her characteristic, energetic and unfiltered opinion on nature broadcasting, biodiversity loss in Ireland, together with her hopes and dreams for Irish biodiversity in the future. Éanna really get's into it and eventually leaves Ricky afraid to ask any further questions

Send us a textThe eagerly awaited, Farming For Nature (FFN) Handbook has just been published, Ricky and Niall take the opportunity to discuss how important farms and farmers are for nature in Ireland, given the dominance of agriculture lands across the Irish landscape. Ricky speaks Dr Emma Hart on behalf of FFN and co-authors, Bridgit Barry and Brendan Dunford about the book, its content and objectives. The Farming For Nature Handbook (purchase here) was inspired by the regular requests received by Farming For Nature, from people wanting to learn how best to manage their land, big or small, in a way that enhances habitats, increases wildlife, harnesses natural processes, protects profits, and safeguards our natural environment and rural communities for future generations. The handbook features the stories, experience and learnings of almost 50 farmers. Emma is a conservation ecologist and writer. She is the founder of habitats.ie, a consultancy service in biodiversity conservation, science communication, and research and of Oysterhaven Biodiversity Reserve, a farm, research site, and nature restoration project in the south of Ireland. Emma has a PhD in conservation ecology and extensive international experience of managing science-based conservation initiatives. She serves on several inter(national) professional committees including for the IUCN and Farming for Nature and publishes regularly in the scientific and popular press.Bird of the Week is the Common Snipe as nominated by Emma, a handsome and quirky wee species common on our bogs and other wetland habitats. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Send us a textStep into Nature, is a new book written and illustrated by naturalist Rachel McKenna, chronicles a year of her observations of everything from plants to birds, insects and fungi. It is journey through her year, describing her finds and allowing readers to pick up the book and share in her curiosity and learn from her finds. Ricky speaks to Rachel from Killaun Bog near Birr Co. Offaly, one of the sites Rachel frequents. She outlines how her curiosity was triggered, where she has found the experience and support needed in helping to identify species and grow her knowledge in a few short years. Rachel talks about the wonder of nature, the importance of networks, the value of citizen science and health rivalry between biodiversity recorders.Niall and Ricky are full of praise for Rachel, her new book and the efforts of citizen scientists who volunteer their time and observations to furthering biodiversity monitoring and conservation in Ireland and internationally.  Bird of the Week is the Common Buzzard as nominated by Rachel, a species which gets a unanimous thumbs up from the lads. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Ron Schara, president of MN-Fish shares the vision of Minnesota's only nonprofit organization formed in order to represent the fishing interests of all Anglers, Plus updates on outdoor conservation efforts from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.   Presented by Kinetico (https://www.kineticoMN.com/) Minnesota Masonic Charities (https://mnmasoniccharities.org/) Tito's Vodka (https://www.titosvodka.com/) Star Bank (https://www.star.bank/) Lakes Gas (https://www.lakesgas.com/) North Dakota Tourism (https://www.helloND.com/) & Explore Alexandria (https://explorealex.com/)

Ron Schara, president of MN-Fish shares the vision of Minnesota's only nonprofit organization formed in order to represent the fishing interests of all Anglers, Plus updates on outdoor conservation efforts from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.   Presented by Kinetico (https://www.kineticoMN.com/) Minnesota Masonic Charities (https://mnmasoniccharities.org/) Tito's Vodka (https://www.titosvodka.com/) Star Bank (https://www.star.bank/) Lakes Gas (https://www.lakesgas.com/) North Dakota Tourism (https://www.helloND.com/) & Explore Alexandria (https://explorealex.com/)

“It was something that was broken, and I had to fix it.” In 1987 Peter Murray, then curator at Crawford Art Gallery in Cork city, embarked on an extraordinary journey: his goal was to purchase and restore the then-derelict former Royal Cork Yacht Club building in Cobh and to transform it into a cultural venue. Over time, this vision crystalised: SIRIUS Arts Centre was to become an artist's residency of international appeal, forging transatlantic connections. Peter Murray's voyage was by no means a solo one. In this in-depth conversation, he pays tribute to the many others whose hard work, time and generosity went into rescuing the RCYC building and making it into the arts centre it is today.  Changing tides is supported by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council under Cork County Council's Heritage Plan Funding 2024.

“The architects of these buildings are looking back to the Italian renaissance; this building is a revival of a revival, if you know what I mean.  This is an Irish building which is copying a Roman building of the renaissance, which is copying a building of Ancient Rome.”  Historian Tom Spalding is the man whose meticulous research proved that the Royal Cork Yacht Club, constructed in 1854 on the site of a pavilion first constructed for the visit of Queen Victoria, was designed by English architect Sir Anthony Salvin, best known for his restoration work on Windsor Castle and the Tower of London.  In episode 2 of Changing Tides, Tom revisits the very beginnings of the RCYC clubhouse, known today as SIRIUS arts centre.  Changing Tides is supported by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council under Cork County Council's Heritage Plan Funding 2024.

 In the summer of 2024, works started on an extensive three phase restoration project at Sirius Arts Centre. Led by JCA Architects and Moroney Conservation, the works to the building began with restoring some of the features that architect Anthony Salvin designed for the RCYC clubhouse all the way back in the 1850s.  In the third and final instalment of Changing Tides, join conservation architect Gareth O'Callaghan to hear all about the exciting and ambitious works, some of which are completed, and some of which are underway, and hear an outline vision for the future of the historic building.   Changing Tides is supported by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council under Cork County Council's Heritage Plan Funding 2024.

Director with the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, Kelly Hernandez on a rally to support the local Puerto Rican and Latino community after Sunday's comments at a Trump rally in New York City full 94 Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:30:57 +0000 8kng7Slp23zHOrHTdil1WVoZVztRkXT7 buffalo,news,wben,hispanic heritage council of wny WBEN Extras buffalo,news,wben,hispanic heritage council of wny Director with the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, Kelly Hernandez on a rally to support the local Puerto Rican and Latino community after Sunday's comments at a Trump rally in New York City Archive of various reports and news events 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc.

On Wednesday 21 August 2024, ecologist and author, Richard Nairn, delivered a lunchtime lecture in the Royal Irish Academy as part of National Heritage Week 2024 entitled 'Richard J. Ussher: Chronicling the Birds of Ireland'. Richard John Ussher MRIA, 1841-1913, was a speleologist, ornithologist and the main author of Ussher & Warren, The Birds of Ireland (1900), a seminal publication in the history of Irish ornithology that provides an early benchmark by which we can measure the decline of native bird species. The lecture focuses on the life and work of Ussher, descending the depths of Ireland's caves in search of fossils and surmounting cliff-faces, mountains and rivers in pursuit of rare birds. The Ussher Bird Notes collection (RIA A009), housed in the Library of the Royal Irish Academy, consists of Ussher's notes and correspondence relating to his research. Recently, the RIA Library announced a new project, The Birds of Ireland, generously supported by The Heritage Council. The project aims to enable the long-term preservation, access, and discovery of this collection.

Esri Ireland, the market leader in geographic information systems (GIS), has announced that Galway County Council has digitally mapped over 25,000 memorials, monuments, and gravestones using Esri's ArcGIS system. As part of a community-focused project across the county of Galway, Esri's technology is being used to create a fully digitised process for capturing information about graveyard memorials and making it publicly accessible online. Throughout Galway, there are 235 council-owned graveyards with ancient monuments and gravestones that provide invaluable insight into family ancestry and social history. Previously, community groups in Galway have endeavoured to capture this culturally significant information, using pen and paper to manually note memorial inscriptions. Galway County Council's interactive map, accessed through the Graveyard Memorial Search App, enables volunteers and heritage professionals to view and capture data and images in real-time on their mobile devices. It provides aerial photography of each graveyard, allowing users to zoom into pictorial maps of graveyards on their devices, and accurately identify each gravestone and record data pertaining to it. It also allows citizens to search for burial records and ancestors' graves, and many graveyards can be explored in 3D, giving people an immersive, realistic experience of visiting family memorials. The online map provides a streamlined, cloud-based process for collecting, validating, managing and sharing memorial data. It has made the process ten times faster and delivers more accurate and consistent data, which will help to preserve Galway's graveyard heritage for future generations. This is leading to increased community engagement, and more than 50 local groups are now using the solution. It is also being used by historians, archaeologists, genealogists and health researchers, as well as schools. Already, data on over 35 graveyards is available via the app, providing citizens with easy, online access to ancestry information. With over 30 further graveyard surveys planned or in progress, Galway County Council, with support from the Heritage Council, is rapidly expanding the amount of information available via the app. The technology can also be replicated by other county councils and used by all kinds of community groups going forward. Barry Doyle, GIS Manager, Galway County Council, said: "Simplicity is key to all of this. Everything is done in one efficient, seamless process where the data is stored and accessed centrally in the cloud. With this ArcGIS process we are enabling community groups to achieve their heritage objectives." Marie Mannion, Heritage Officer, Galway County Council, said: "Digitising Galway's graveyard heritage has been a powerful way to enable people to learn about the local and national heritage that can be found in graveyards. People can now search for and find photographs of their family's memorials online and form a stronger connection with their past. It's an incredible resource for everyone." Jack Ffrench, Account Manager, Esri Ireland, said: "Being able to access local heritage, digitally, for Galway citizens has been a really important project to work on and exemplifies the true power of GIS technology. It is rewarding for us to be able to work with local communities, and bringing this important history to life will ensure that Galway's past can become part of its present. We are looking forward to continuing to work with Galway County Council and seeing how this use case could be repeated within other councils, as well as a wide variety of community groups, in the future." See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upc...

On today's podcast I chatted with Ronan Healy, the Programme Manager for National Heritage Week, which runs from the 17th to the 25th August. Ronan chats about his life and career and explains why this is the perfect role for him. He chats about the work of The Heritage Council and the role that Heritage Week plays in showcasing all of the best that the island of Ireland has to offer  He explains this year's theme: ‘Connections, Routes and Networks', and gives us a flavour of the diversity of events and activities throughout the country, and he also tells us how best to plan the perfect Heritage Week for you, your friends and family. Enjoy the show!     Podcast Production by Greg Canty Greg's blog Greg on Twitter  Greg on LinkedIn Email Greg with feedback or suggested guests: greg@fuzion.ie

Send us a Text Message.We all need a holiday from time to time but there's no doubt that travelling comes with a cost, and we're not just talking about to your bank balance! Travelling comes with an environmental impact but "eco-tourism" or "sustainable tourism" offers an opportunity to lower that impact significantly. However, with these terms becoming buzzwords in recent years, it is important to avoid accepting them at face value. So, how can you distinguish a true eco-tourism option from greenwashing? In this episode, Niall and Ricky hope to clarify this often confusing matter so that you can confidently make more eco-conscious travel choices going forward.There's no denying that any form of travel will have an impact on the environment but that is not to say we can't all make more positive and responsible choices. As Niall and Ricky describe, eco-tourism should benefit the communities, habitats and species of an area more than it takes away from it. At the 2024 Global Bird Fair in Rutland, United Kingdom, Niall spoke to some people involved in true eco-tourism to illustrate how that works in practice. They include Sandra Morocho from the Quijos Valley in Ecuador, the place that holds the world record for the number of bird species within 24-kilometres in 24-hours - a staggering 493! He also speaks to Chandika Jayaratne of Jetwing Eco Holidays in Sri Lanka, an initiative aimed at providing an enjoyable tourist experience while in turn, giving back to local initiatives.Of course, you don't have to travel abroad to enjoy an eco-tourism experience! Niall and Ricky explore some examples of nature-focused trips worth considering in Ireland including BirdWatch Ireland's Cape Clear Bird Observatory in Co. Cork and the Wild Mind Festival in Fenit Co. Kerry.In keeping with tradition, Niall and Ricky choose a Bird of the Week and this time, the White-tailed Eagle seemed particularly fitting. Formerly lost from Ireland and Scotland, the spectacular raptor now attracts tourists to places like Killarney and the Isle of Mull owing to a successful reintroduction initiative. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Send us a Text Message.This episode of In Your Nature comes from across the pond as Niall records from the 2024 Global Bird Fair in Rutland, United Kingdom. Known to many as "Glastonbury for birders", the Global Bird Fair sees conservation organisations, photographers, authors, artists ecotourism companies and many more join together to celebrate their shared love of birds. Over a July weekend, attendees are treated to a jam-packed schedule of talks, workshops, film screenings and other events, all themed around birds and wildlife conservation.This year, Niall took the opportunity to interview some of the interesting birders that he met at the event. This includes Chief Executive of BirdLife International, Martin Harper, who spoke about the impact that the Global Bird Fair has made on conservation projects worldwide owing to the fundraising element of the event. He also caught up with Head of Communications and Awareness at the Hellenic Ornithological Society/ BirdLife Greece, Roula Trigou. She likens the Global Bird Fair to an annual family gathering, where people who are fighting for the same cause join together. For her, the event perfectly illustrates how birds connect our world. Laura Kammermeier from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology also took some time to speak with Niall about Cornell's many inspiring and educational initiatives including the highly popular Merlin Bird ID app, as well as Birds of the World – a subscription-based online resource and the world's largest, most comprehensive, scholarly resource for birds.Meanwhile, Rachel Bigsby is looking at birds from a different perspective, quite literally. The wildlife photographer spoke with Niall about how events like the Global Bird Fair can help new photographers get to grips with techniques and ethics, while she also reveals the Northern Fulmar as the seabird that kickstarted her passion for photography.No matter where you travel to, you're almost guaranteed to bump into someone else from Ireland and the Global Bird Fair is no exception! Niall caught up with ornithologist Seán Ronayne of Irish Wildlife Sounds to talk about his early days of sound recording, a hobby that has since led to his highly-regarded documentary, Birdsong, album Wild Silence and a soon-to-be-released book, Nature Boy.In keeping with tradition, Niall and Ricky choose a Bird of the Week and of course, they couldn't do an episode on the Global Bird Fair without mentioning the event's emblem, the Osprey.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.For more about BirdWatch Ireland, visit www.birdwatchireland.ie.

Bats can sometimes get a bad rap but in this episode of the In Your Nature podcast, we hope to dispel some myths and shine a light on these truly remarkable creatures. For this conversation, we are joined by Bat Ecologist and Senior Projects Manager with Bat Conservation Ireland, Niamh Roche, who gives us an insight into the lives of Ireland's nine species of bat.On listening to this episode, you'll quickly that bats are not to be feared, but to be supported and admired. When allowed to thrive, bats provide a number of ecosystem services, including insect control and pollination, which benefit humans and the wider environment.As is a tradition on the In Your Nature, we asked our guest to choose their Bird of the Week and Niamh didn't need to be asked twice, choosing the master of woodland camouflage - the Treecreeper.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

Heritage Hunters is a local heritage competition for all Kerry primary schools. The radio series is a creative collaboration of Radio Kerry and Kerry County Museum. The project is kindly supported by Kerry Archaeological & Historical Society, Kerry County Council, the Education Centre Tralee and the Heritage Council of Ireland. The latest episode of Heritage Hunters features the children of Spa NS and they're telling us all about ringforts in their area.

This episode of In Your Nature is another collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed and this week, we're talking all about the Grey Heron!Although amphibian expert Collie has an understandably complex relationship with the Heron, this episode has given him a newfound respect for the species! While they're known as skilled fishers, did you know that Herons have adapted to consume a wide range of prey including small mammals, insects and reptiles? Or that they have small combs on the underside of each foot to help them to keep their feathers in tip-top condition? Learn about this and more by tuning in.An episode of In Your Nature wouldn't be complete without the Bird of the Week slot, and this time, we feature another wetland wonder - the Coot!In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

We know you'll be itching to listen to this episode, which is a collaboration with Collie Ennis of The Critter Shed. This week, we're talking all about, you guessed it, critters, though not the cute and cuddly kind. Ticks, fleas and flat flies are the focus of this conversation and while the thought of that might make your skin crawl, we encourage you to listen on!Ticks, mites and flat flies may not appeal to most, but these fascinating creatures play a vital role in the shaping of our ecosystems. What's more, these highly-adapted species hold incredible abilities that would be the envy of most superheroes, such as impressive agility and unparalleled resilience. On listening to this episode, you might just look at these parasites in a new light!In the spirit of this week's episode of In Your Nature, we put a spin on the usual  Bird of the Week slot, asking Niall instead to nominate a Critter of the Week. This week's winner is the May Bug, also known by the slightly unfortunate name, the Common Cockchafer!In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

In an In Your Nature first, this episode was recorded live with an audience from Wild Mind Festival in Fenit, County Kerry earlier this spring. Wild Mind is a festival that celebrates our natural environment, making it the perfect fit for a visit from In Your Nature. Picture this, Niall and Ricky sitting on hay bales on stage in a artificial barn/shed structure waxing lyrical about spring and what it means for our fathered friends. The lads discuss the complex sequence of events that is the annual breeding cycle and what triggers it in early spring. We hear about avian turf-wars, male grooming, birdy romance and female expectations of their chosen mates!An episode of In Your Nature wouldn't be complete without the Bird of the Week slot, with Blackbird being nominated by an audience member, which Ricky and Niall happily picked up and ran with. Additionally, there were lots of interesting questions from the floor all expertly answered or dodged by the hosts.For more information on Wild Mind Festival check out their website here. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils, The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Heritage Council.

The construction of the Metrolink line “cannot be at the expense of Ireland's national heritage”, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has told An Bord Pleanála's hearing on the €9.5 billion rail project. We speak to Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council.

This is the final Kerry Today of 2023. Catherine Shanahan Adapt womens refuge talks to Jerry about the help Adapt gave to women and families in 2023 and also about plans for expansion of the centre in 2024 Postman retiring after 47 years on the job- Henry Burrows a postman in Ballymac and Tralee for over 47 years spoke to Jerry about returing today - the people and friends he made along the way. Heritage hunters : Today's episode of Heritage Hunters features the children of Bouleenshere National School Ballyheigue on the story of St. Daithleann's Well. Heritage Hunters is a creative collaboration of Radio Kerry, Kerry County Museum, the Kerry Archaeological & Historical Society and Kerry County Council. It is kindly supported by The Education Support Centre Tralee and the Heritage Council of Ireland. Happy house for Christmas : Jerry talks to Karen Harris who after years on a housing waiting list got a home for christmas with the help of Kerry County Council and Coperative Housing Ireland - he also speaks to Eoin Carroll Director of policy and communications for CHI about the houses delivered in Kerry this year and plans for next year.

In our end of year Christmas Special, Niall and Ricky consider what birds Santa might be enjoying at his bird table in an exploration of some of the hardiest species that call Finnish Lapland home.There is something in Santa's bag for everyone in this episode, from fit finches to tough tits and canny corvids! We hope you enjoy it, thanks for listening and happy Christmas! In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

This week In Your Nature focuses on the topic of invasive species, looking specifically at two new kids on the block, the Quagga Mussel and the Alpine Newt*, two recently discovered unwelcome colonisers! Ricky speaks to alien invasive species expert Dr. Jan-Robert Baars, Lecturer and Assistant Professor at the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences at University College Dublin (UCD). Jan is an expert in the field with particular interest in invasion biology. Jan's work together with colleagues in UCD and the Herpetological Society of Ireland have been monitoring Quagga Mussels and Alpines Newts since they've established and now appear to be thriving here in Ireland. The Rose-ringed Parakeet is our Bird of the Week, a charismatic yet invasive species now gaining a foothold in Dublin and some of our other urban centres.   Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...-        Quagga Mussel-        Alpine Newt*The Alpine Newt is not currently recognised as an alien invasive species in Ireland. More here. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

This week Niall and Ricky are feeling the chill prompting the question, where do our summer migrants to Ireland go to get some winter sun? They discuss a list of species across the bird families that up sticks in autumn and leave in pursuit of an endless summer of sorts.A story of migration but focusing on the where and why of these massive journeys.Blackcap is our Bird of the Week, a species once considered a summer migrant that has now become a winter resident through a fascinating turn of events!Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...- Corncrake- Manx Shearwater- Swallow- Swift- Cuckoo- Red-Necked Phalarope- Chiffchaff- Willow Warbler- PuffinIn Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

The wildlife and wild places of Connemara are the topics of this weeks episode. John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland discusses some of the iconic bird species (with a focus on breeding Golden Plover) which use this landscape, and conservation efforts underway to understand and protect them.John has nominated a bird of prey (surprise surprise) for Bird of the Week, so we're talking all things Kestrel! To find out more about some of Co. Galways beautiful and important areas for biodiversity, visit County Galway Biodiversity Story Map page: Galway Biodiversity StoryMaps (arcgis.com) This episode was produced in partnership with Galway County Council and with the support of the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the National Biodiversity Action Plan (2017-2021).Learn more about the species featured in this episode at the links below...- Golden Plover- Kestrel In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

This weeks' episode brings us part-two of the Ireland vs New Zealand Bird-off. Originally broadcast as part of Radio New Zealand's 'Our Changing World', produced by Co. Kerry native Claire Concannon (now ensconced in NZ), Ricky Whelan has been pitching his wits against New Zealand native and ornithologist Jamie McAulay, in a ferociously competitive and hilarious competition.With thanks to Radio New Zealand for allowing us to re-broadcast this episode.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

Season 8 of In Your Nature podcast is starting-off with something slightly different -  part one of a competition between Ireland and New Zealand to see which countries birds will win out in a series of categories in an inter-island bird-off! Originally broadcast as part of Radio New Zealand's 'Our Changing World', produced by County Kerry native Claire Concannon (now ensconced in NZ), our very own Ricky Whelan will pit his wits against New Zealand native and ornithologist Jamie McAulay.With thanks to Radio New Zealand for allowing us to re-broadcast this episode.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

This weeks episode is all about Swifts, specifically Swifts in Co. Offaly. Since 2017, BirdWatch Ireland has been coordinating county Swift surveys. Co. Offaly was the first ever county to commission a Swift survey and this season, they commissioned a re-survey of the county.Niall sat down with Jaroslaw Majkusiak, BirdWatch Irelands' 2023 Co. Offaly Swift Surveyor to find out how Swifts have fared between 2017 and 2023, the conservation pressures impacting Swifts and how local communities can turn the tide for Swifts.Bird of the Week this week is the Grey Wagtail a dainty little bird of our rivers and wetlands and close relation to it's urbanite cousin the Pied (Willy) Wagtail.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

For this weeks episode of In Your Nature podcast, we take a close look at Moths, a vast and diverse group of insects. Ricky also speaks to Amanda Pedlow, Heritage Officer at Offaly County Council, an avid citizen scientist and moth trapper on the joy of moth trapping and recording. Topics include the lifecycle of the moth, their importance in the wider food chain, the conservation issues they face, and the process of moth trapping. Niall and Ricky also nominate several species they believe are well deserving of a closer look.Bird of the Week is the Nightjar, a species which feeds on moths, and was once found in Co. Offaly.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council. 

In this episode we take a closer look at hedgerows, an iconic part of the Irish landscape, and discover how important they are for pollinators and the farming community.Ricky speaks to Ruth Wilson who is the Farmland Pollinator Officer (All-Ireland Pollinator Plan) at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, a post funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Bird of the Week is the Long-tailed Tit, an adorable and gregarious species.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council. 

This weeks In Your Nature podcast topic is the Pine Marten. Dr. Denise O'Meara of South East Technological University sat down with Ricky to chat about the Pine Martens' ecology, the reasons behind their amazing comeback in recent years, and how the Pine Martens comeback has helped the Red Squirrel population to begin to slowly recover in parts of Ireland.Bird of the Week is the Coal Tit, a species which like the Pine Marten can be found in mixed coniferous and even Sitka Spruce plantations.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council. 

This weeks episode focuses on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or H5N1, more commonly referred to as bird flu. The impact of the H5N1 has been particularly pronounced in the last two years, impacting seabird colonies on a pretty much global scale.At the outset of the episode Niall explains that while bird flu is a pre-existing virus, the virulence of the H5N1 strain is due to intensive and unsanitary farming practices in many poultry farms in south-east Asia. To provide more context around this topic, Niall Hatch interviewed Dr. Steve Newton and Brian Burke, both of BirdWatch Ireland. Steve and Brian work on some of Ireland's largest tern colonies on behalf of BirdWatch Ireland and have been at the coal face of this problem.Steve details how H5N1 has impacted Lady's Island Lake and Rockabill Island, the two colonies with the largest Roseate Tern populations in Ireland, with Rockabill being the most important Roseate Tern colony in north-western Europe. This species is one of the most endangered seabirds world-wide. Brian talks about the Dublin Port tern colony, a large principally Common Tern colony in Ireland's largest port, and the impact of the virus at this site, and the measures taken here as at the other two colonies to mitigate the spread of this disease.Brian also goes on to talk about the Kilcoole Little Tern colony, Ireland's largest colony of this seabird, which despite a slightly rocky beginning with two positive cases of avian flu, has escaped the virus this season, and went on to have a successful breeding season. Steve and Brian discuss the implications of H5N1 for the wider avian community particularly as we come into the winter season, and the need for greater government and departmental support. This weeks Bird of the Week is the Gannet, Ireland's largest breeding seabird with a wingspan of over 6 feet. It was unfortunately heavily impacted by avian flu in 2022. When diving for prey, Gannets will dive at a speed of ~60km/hour and are specially adapted for this behaviour. This species, pre avian flu, were increasing in population and are, despite the set-back from avian flu, a good news story in the world of conservation. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council. 

This weeks episode features Elaine O'Riordan, who is studying the ecology of the European Hedgehog in an Irish context for her PhD in the National University of Ireland Galway. Elaine has run the Irish Hedgehog Survey for the last number of years, looking at how citizen scientists can feed into our understanding of the population of Hedgehogs in Ireland. Ricky and Elaine chat about the various species of Hedgehogs worldwide, their diet, dependence on our gardens, hibernation and how citizen science can play a role in better understanding this fascinating mammal. Bird of the Week this week is the Bullfinch. A stunningly beautiful bird, Niall fills us in as to how it benefits hugely from 'No Mow May' feeding on Dandelions, and will also benefit from fruiting trees such as cherry, plum and apple trees.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council and Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council. 

Minister Catherine Martin has announced the establishment of a new expert committee to advise on issues relating to the restitution and repatriation of culturally sensitive objects in Ireland. Virginia Teehan, CEO of the Heritage Council joined Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast.

This weeks' episode features Dr. Alan McCarthy of BirdWatch Ireland discussing Hen Harriers, their ecology, pressures facing these birds, conservation efforts for this species, and his PhD research on this enigmatic species.   Alan's PhD research focused on both breeding and wintering aspects of Hen Harrier ecology in Ireland. Among other things, his research focused on Hen Harrier diet, their winter roost characteristics, as well as satellite tracking Hen Harriers tagged as nestlings, year-round. This latter portion of Alan's work provided information on how far young Hen Harriers disperse, their survival rates, the habitats they use and the age at which they begin breeding.   Alan speaks eloquently about the pressures facing Hen Harriers, particularly afforestation of upland sites. Afforestation has resulted in declines in natural prey and causes Hen Harriers significant difficulty when hunting any available prey, in comparison to open landscapes. In addition, while Hen Harriers will nest in young conifer plantations, these habitats are predator rich, and predation of Hen Harrier nests is a significant pressure in these habitat types. Intensification of agricultural land has also led to a reduction in prey abundance at these sites, placing them under significant pressure both during the breeding and wintering seasons.  Niall speaks about how measures to save the Hen Harrier benefit not only other species through habitat restoration, but can also benefit local economies through job creation.  Bird of the Week is the Marsh Harrier, a species which is dependent on reedbed habitat and preys on species such as Coot, Teal and Common Frogs. In recent years the Marsh Harrier has returned to Ireland as a breeding species, with a handful of pairs breeding in Ireland. Marsh Harriers, like Hen Harriers and other harrier species, use sky dancing and food passes as part of their breeding display to reinforce the pair bond.   In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

This weeks episode features Rob Gandola, Senior Science Officer at the The Herpetological Society of Ireland. Rob explains why ponds are essential for wildlife, how they can benefit us in terms of flood protection and recreationally, and provides tips for creating ponds of any size in our own gardens.Rob also explains the importance of ponds in the fight against climate change, with ponds estimated to sequester between 20 and 200 times more carbon than grasslands or woodlands of a similar size. Rob explains that the fact that these can be dug into most every back garden, residential or commercial development provides us with a proactive means to push back against climate change, while also providing essential habitat.  Bird of the Week is the Grey Heron, one of the few species which can eat frogs, which are toxic to most creatures. This feature and their presence at ponds as well as other water bodies makes them the perfect choice for this weeks Bird of the Week.In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, Biodiversity Officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly, and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.Further info links mentioned by Rob:- The Herpetological Society of Ireland - The Herpetological Society of Ireland – Education – Research -Conservation (thehsi.org)- An Taisce's Legacy4LIFE Ponds for Biodiversity project - Legacy4LIFE - Ponds Project | An Taisce - The National Trust For Ireland - The Freshwater Habitats Trust - Buy The Pond Book - Freshwater Habitats TrustFreshwater Habitats Trust- Jack Ashton - How To Make the Ultimate Wildlife Pond - Part 1 - Digging the Pond - YouTube 

In this weeks episode Niall and Ricky are bringing us the dawn chorus from BirdWatch Ireland's East Coast Nature Reserve (ECNR) in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Due to its diversity of habitats, the ECNR supports a wide range of species, from wrens, blackbirds, and robins to more locally confined species such as the sedge warbler, and so the soundscape in this episode is rich and textured. As the sun rises, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes are first off the mark, with the smaller species joining the chorus as darkness fades. Niall and Ricky explain why size matters in this scenario, as well as why the dawn chorus exists as a phenomenon at all, how birds can self-harmonise and much more. While Niall and Ricky chat, we hear the constant backdrop of the dawn chorus behind them, building as the episode progresses, perfectly accompanying their commentary. There are also moments of stillness punctuated throughout the episode, with Niall and Ricky simply sitting back and letting the birds do the talking.Bird of the Week, this week is the Grasshopper Warbler, a bird you're more likely to hear than see, making it a fitting choice for a Dawn Chorus episode.  In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with  Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

In this weeks episode, Ricky and Niall bring us something very new - an Avian Eurovision Song Contest! The pair have selected 12 contestant birds. Nine of these are based on the Eurovision 2022 finalists national birds, with the other three national birds hand-picked by Ricky and Niall. The birds representing each country are; European Robin - UK; Blackbird - Sweden; Italian Sparrow - Italy; White-throated Dipper - Norway; Black-tailed Godwit - Netherlands; Barn Swallow - Estonia; European Roller - Azerbaijan; Whooper Swan - Finland; Northern Lapwing - Ireland; Eurasian Skylark - Denmark; Hoopoe - Israel, and Goldcrest - Luxembourg.Each contestant is given the chance to shine. Niall and Ricky discuss each species musical virtuousity and facets of their behaviour and ecology that might sway listeners in the contestants favour, or in some cases, perhaps push some listeners the other way.The interval act for the Avian Eurovision Contest 2023 is the Nightingale, this weeks Bird of the Week and one whose song is sure to steal the show. In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with  Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

In this week's episode Ricky and Niall have a look at the application of working dogs to wildlife conservation projects in Africa. Ricky speaks to Rory Hennebry owner and operator of Munster Canine and Lead Trainer at K9 Wildlife Project a charity set-up to train dogs for wildlife conservation operations internationally. Rory specialises in training working dogs for a myriad of technical roles and has used his skills and experience in training security and military service dogs and applied them to preparing their canine colleague's for roles involving wildlife tracking and anti-poaching efforts in Africa. Rory's insights span from the selection of dogs for such roles to how a young pup can go from playing in a Cork field to tracking poachers in the Namib Desert. Rory's breed of choice for such applications is the Belgian Malinois, a breed well-known for its intelligence, athleticism and loyalty.Finally we bring an African species into the fold for “Bird of the Week” with the Pearl-spotted Owlet nominated by Rory, a species he has encountered on dog training and handover trips to the continent. For more information and to support the K9 Wildlife Project see the website here:  https://www.k9wildlifeproject.com/ and/or follow them on Instagram: @k9_wildlife_project In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with  Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council.

In this the first episode of our new In Your Nature spring season, Ricky and Niall merge the diverse habitats of our bogs with the rich bird life found within them.  They discuss a broad range of bird and bogland species with the conversation going from childhood memories of the bog to cuckoos and then onto the threats facing our hen harrier populations.The chat covers a myriad of species from the carnivorous plant sundew, to meadow pipits and dragonflies with lots of bird song audio throughout for atmosphere. Our "Bird of the Week" is the common crane which after hundreds of years has returned to  breed in Irish boglands once more!In Your Nature features Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with  Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland  and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly. The series  is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council 

Our 50th episode comes to you on the most ancient of Irish holidays - Halloween or Oíche Shamhna (eee-ha how-na) in Irish/Gaelic. It is the night that celebrates the transition from the old to the new Celtic year. That transition point, between the present and the past, was a space where the Celts believed the spirits or pucaí (pook-ee) of the past roamed.Halloween seems a particularly appropriate date for us to introduce Neil Jackman, a man with an insatiable interest in Ireland's mysterious past and whose mission is to make "the past present". We talk with Neil about his work on the foreboding hill which overlooks Dublin where a sinister brooding building stares down on the capital city and where 18th-century aristocratic members of the Hell Fire met for their debauched revelries.While we talk with Neil about the Hell Fire and its far deeper past, we also explore his background from the North West of England and how he came to live in Ireland with a hazy understanding of his ancestral past. We trace his career through an archaeological boom and bust period which in turn led to the foundation, along with his wife Róisín Burke, of the innovative Abarta Heritage. Abarta has worked with multiple stakeholders of Ireland's past including the Office of Public Works, the Heritage Council, and the National Museum of Ireland. Always, Abarta has been focused on deepening the public's understanding of the island's rich historical legacy.Not to be just historical, we will talk with Neil about his Puffin obsession and the otherworldly site where his twin interests collide. You'll just have to listen to the podcast for more.Neil Jackman LinksTwitterLinkedInInstagramAbarta Heritage - Audio Guides and Heritage ServicesAmplify Archaeology - PodcastTuatha - for those looking for a deeper understanding of Ireland's past

In The Faddan More Psalter: The Discovery and Conservation of a Medieval Treasure Dr. John Gillis explores the conservation, construction, and context of an early medieval psalter discovered by chance in a bog at Faddan More, Co. Tipperary in July 2006. The different facets of this find are discussed in-depth, along with the pre-existing and newly created methods, tools, and ideas from different disciplines used to reveal its secrets. Gillis shines a light on this incredibly significant manuscript – named one of the National Museum of Ireland's top ten treasures - that represents the first insular manuscript to be discovered in the past 200 years and the first from a wetland environment. The Faddan More Psalter: The Discovery and Conservation of a Medieval Treasure was published by Wordwell and National Museum of Ireland in 2022. John Gillis is Chief Manuscript Conservator in the Library Preservation and Conservation Department in Trinity College Dublin. In 1988 he established and worked as Head of Conservation in the Delmas Conservation Bindery at Archbishop Marsh's Library, Dublin. John has been teaching book conservation techniques and theory in Italy for over 20 years. His major achievement to date has been the conservation of the Fadden More Psalter at the National Museum of Ireland Conservation Department over a four-and-a-half year period, for which he won the Heritage Council of Ireland Conservation Award in 2010. Dr. Danica Ramsey-Brimberg is a multidisciplinary researcher, who recently graduated with her PhD in History from the University of Liverpool and is an editorial assistant for the Church Archaeology journal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network