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Donal Hickey

Irish people must embrace electric cars

Irish people must embrace electric cars

Irish people have taken some green measures to their hearts. We’ve embraced recycling, got rid of plastic bags, are taking pride in clean towns and villages, and see potential in wind energy. However, it seems we’re not yet ready for the electric car.

Mon, 24 Oct, 2016

Some of the best places to look at the stars in Ireland

Some of the best places to look at the stars in Ireland

Two parts of Ireland have official designation as dark sky reserves and are being marketed to star-gazing tourists, writes Donal Hickey

Mon, 17 Oct, 2016

Damage on Croagh Patrick due to erosion may leave access severely restricted

Damage on Croagh Patrick due to erosion may leave access severely restricted

It’s Ireland’s holy mountain, but access may soon have to be cut off, or at least severely restricted, due to worsening erosion, writes Donal Hickey. 

Mon, 10 Oct, 2016

Here's why you should be proud to be bird brained

Here's why you should be proud to be bird brained

BEING called “bird-brained” should no longer be seen as an insult. Quite the opposite, in fact, for research is showing that wild birds can be intelligent animals, with crows being the brightest of them all — second only to people.

Mon, 03 Oct, 2016

Mating call of stags are being heard in mountain valleys of Killarney

Mating call of stags are being heard in mountain valleys of Killarney

The primal mating cry of Japanese Sika deer is already being heard in the mountain valleys of Killarney, heralding the start of the so-called rutting season.

Mon, 26 Sep, 2016

Coastal tales from Kerry

Coastal tales from Kerry

On a glorious, sunny day recently in the Dingle Peninsula, I met two young German men who were admiring the view from Ceann Sibeal (Sybil Head). They didn’t know they were standing at the location of a Star Wars movie set, earlier in the summer.

Mon, 19 Sep, 2016

Pine martins: one of Ireland’s rarest wild mammals being portrayed as a blood-thirsty lamb kille

Pine martins: one of Ireland’s rarest wild mammals being portrayed as a blood-thirsty lamb kille

How is it that there always seems to be some animal in Ireland singled out for demonisation and persecution asks Donal Hickey. 

Mon, 12 Sep, 2016

Cork: A great spot for birds

Cork: A great spot for birds

A wonder of the natural world is currently taking place.

Mon, 05 Sep, 2016

Calling all for beach clean-up

Calling all for beach clean-up

A casual walk on a beach anywhere will tell you the ocean has become a massive dumping ground.

Mon, 29 Aug, 2016

Foxglove thriving in ditches

Foxglove thriving in ditches

Foxglove, fabled in folklore not just for its beauty but also for its medicinal properties, is thriving this summer in the warm and, occasionally, sunny conditions, writes Donal Hickey

Mon, 22 Aug, 2016