Blog

(Thurs 21st May 2026) Shannon Engine Support (SES) cleared…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted Shannon Engine Support (SES) of Shannon who cleared 100 willows.

They joined us at 1:30 pm on Thurs the 20th May 2026 and after a quick safety talk from Ruairí Ó Conchúir from LAWPRO they grabbed some loppers and got started.

They did a wonderful job pulling and digging out the young willows which were encroaching on our ponds.

Their energy, enthuasism and teamwork was a joy.

Now we have 100 willows we are going to make them into a structure over our log circles.

Well that’s the plan. It will take years. Watch this space!

Thank-you so much SES.

(Weds 20th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school 13:30 tour…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our final group, St. Patrick’s Comprehensive from Shannon and their teacher Jane Kelleher joined us at 1:30 pm on Weds 20th May.

Our ecologist, Rachel Dowling, met the group by our sign in the car park and then took the students to our logged circles where she explained about the wetlands.

She then took them to under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds.

Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bulrushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher Jane with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Weds 20th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school 11:30 tour…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our sixth group, Gaelscoil Donncha Rua (3rd and 4th years) from Shannon and their teachers joined us at 11:30 on Weds 20th May.

Our ecologist, Rachel Dowling, met the group by our sign in the car park and then took the students to our logged circles where she explained about the wetlands.

She then took them to under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds.

Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bulrushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Weds 20th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school 9:30 tour…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our fitth group, St Conaire’s NS 6th Class from Shannon and their teacher Eoin joined us at 9:30 on Weds 20th May.

Our ecologist, Rachel Dowling, met the group by our sign in the car park and then took the students to our logged circles where she explained about the wetlands.

She then took them to under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds.

Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bulrushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Tues 19th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school 9:30 tour…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our third group, St Conaire’s National School from Shannon and their teachers joined us at 9:30 on Tues 19th May.

Our ecologist, Rachel Dowling, took the students to our logged circles where she explained about the wetlands.

She then took them to under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds.

Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bulrushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teachers with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Tues 19th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school 9:30 tour…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our third group, St Conaires National School from Shannon and their teacher Mairéad joined us at 9:30 on Tues 19th May.

After gathering at the Wetlands sign, where Sean Noonan said a few encoraging words os Gaeilge, our ecologist Rachel Dowling took the students to our logged circles where she explained about the wetlands.

She then took them to under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds.

Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bulrushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher Mairéad with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Mon 18th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school tour by…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups. Our second group, St Johns National School from Shannon and their teacher Rhinagh Stanford joined us at 11:30 on Mon 18th May.

The weather was showery so after gathering at the Wetlands sign our ecologist Rachel Dowling and Ruairí Ó Conchúir from LAWPRO took the students to shelter under our four oak trees where Rachel explained how such trees propogate and invited them to listen to the birds. Rachel then explained which birds they can currently hear, especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then led off to the ponds. Where Rachel explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bull rushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the students were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some of the pond life. This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies. Which are essential for the food chain.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher Rhinagh (Reena) with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

(Mon 18th May 2026) Biodiversity Week school tour by…

As part of National Biodiversity Week 2026, Shannon Town Community Wetlands hosted 7 school groups.

Our first, Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire from Newmarket-on-Fergus and their teacher Eoin Guilfoyle joined us at 9:30 on Mon 18th May.

After a quick safety talk our ecologist Rachel Dowling explained what biodiversity is and took the students to stand under our four oak trees where she explained how such trees propogated.

She then passed a stick around as a microphone inviting the students to use it to introduce themselves and say which animal they like most.

They were then given clipboards listing some animals and plants in the Wetlands for them to find.

Rachel also explained which birds they can hear around them. Especially, the Willow Warbler and how the abundance of willows in the wetlands makes it so attractive to them.

The pupils were then off exploring to find the animals and plants listed on their clipboards..

Rachel also explained the ecology of the two large ponds on our Wetlands site. Both currently have very low water levels and are covered in bull rushes which make great nesting material. However, willow saplings are starting to encroach into the ponds.

This was followed by a pond dip by Rachel. Where the youngsters were invited to match the invertebrates to the pictures on the card. Rachel also explained the importance and life cycle of some.

This year we had plenty of tadpoles and larvae from dragonflies, damsel flies and may flies.

To wrap up the 90 minutes visit, our chair, Olive Carey gave a talk about how the wetlands are run by and for the community and presented their teacher Eoin with some biodiversity themed booklets for their school library.

Myself and John assisted on the day.

2026 World Wetlands Day

Celebrating 2026 World Wetlands Day on Bank Holiday Monday (2nd Feb) in Shannon Town. Walsh at 2:30 pm in Wetlands followed by talk and biscuits in Shannon Springs Hotel at 3:15 pm. All welcome.

(Fri 23rd May 2025) A few words in 360…

Micheál Mac Gearailt says a few words about Biodiversity Week at the Shannon Town Community Wetlands (Best viewed in YouTube app set to 2160s quality)