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Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

World first — hippopotamus has cataract surgery in Dublin
World first — hippopotamus has cataract surgery in Dublin
Visually impaired hippo, Imani, has had sight restored to her left eye thanks to a very successful specialist procedure

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

A Brown Bear comes close to a house entrance in Hokkaido
Increase in bear attacks in Japan
One theory is that trees may be to blame — a lean crop of seeds and nuts may be forcing hungry bears into human habitats in search of food

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Leaping Scottish Salmon
Helping wild Atlantic salmon overcome man-made obstacles
In the days before electricity, barriers of all sizes were important for using a river’s energy to turn mill wheels and power all sorts of machinery. Many of these barriers are still present but most now serve no purpose, other than preventing salmon from making their journeys between the sea and freshwater

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Ireland's lax approach to inspecting farms and enforcing rules
Ireland's lax approach to inspecting farms and enforcing rules
The EU Nitrates Committee meets on Tuesday and may extend Ireland's nitrates derogation by up to three years. At the same time we need to protect or restore water quality on a national scale writes ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Birds of Ireland: Buzzard
Birds of Ireland: Buzzard
Buzzards are a scarce breeding species but are found here all year round 

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Michelle McKeown: The weather tug-of-war that shapes our winters
Michelle McKeown: The weather tug-of-war that shapes our winters
Understanding the North Atlantic Oscillation won’t stop Irish winters being chaotic, but it helps explain why they sometimes fall into familiar rhythms. And it reminds us that, while climate change is gradually reshaping global systems, natural variability still has plenty to say

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

View from the sea of Giannutri Island
Studying impact of honeybees on local wild bees
Giannutri is a little island off the coast Italy. Its isolation ensured that honeybees never got there under their own steam — 18 hives were introduced in 2018 and scientists have been studying their effects on the local bee population

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

Donal Hickey: A salute to farmers working with nature
Donal Hickey: A salute to farmers working with nature
Making a shift from using every bit of land and ‘driving it hard’ to a work model where climate and nature guide every decision

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

Anja Murray: Nitrates not giving our rivers a chance to breathe
Anja Murray: Nitrates not giving our rivers a chance to breathe
Why is it now widely considered acceptable to heap pollutants in to lakes until the ecosystems they once sustained are eliminated?

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Kerry 'bat cave' is the perfect hangout thanks to extensive makeover
S Kerry 'bat cave' is the perfect hangout thanks to extensive makeover
From customised doors to 'unwelcome' mats for unwanted visitors the renovated cottage is now a perfect bat roost

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Merry Christmas Santa Claus flying in UFO spaceship flying saucer with gift boxes in space Earh night. Vector illustration isola
Planets Santa might end up visiting... next year?
As Santa sits at the North Pole anticipating the discovery of life on some far-flung planet he might be somewhat nervously scanning the latest scientific literature to see which exoplanets are hot topics

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

16,000 years’ worth of stories to uncover from sediment in a West Cork lake
16,000 years’ worth of stories to uncover from sediment in a West Cork lake
In search of Ireland's ancient past by recovering and examining sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA)

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Ancient honeyhunting practice continues
Ancient honeyhunting practice continues
Scientists have found that human-honeyguide cooperation is used mainly as a recreational activity nowadays. Despite increased education and job opportunities, honey-hunting can survive "without economic incentives for humans, sustained instead by its cultural and social importance"

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Fox Cub found
Fox-hunting — conflicting attitudes between urban dwellers and farmers
Foxes breed prolifically and a vixen can have five cubs per year, which reach adulthood in about eight months. In ideal conditions, a fox can live for 10 years, but most only last for two, or three

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Rewilding for nature recovery
Rewilding for nature recovery
It's easy to see the benefits of letting natural processes take the reins

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

'Eternally confusing' West Cork coastline makes for iconic scenes 
'Eternally confusing' West Cork coastline makes for iconic scenes 
Based in Kenmare on the rugged southwest coast of Ireland, Norman McCloskey has been photographing the landscape here since 1992 — these images are featured in his latest book, Headlands

Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

Why early-warning systems matter more than ever
Why early-warning systems matter more than ever
Long before sensors and satellites, people used whatever tools they had to read the world around them. In fact, the earliest warning systems were rooted in observation, culture and instinct — but sensors, algorithms and automated texts are now being employed in places such as Midleton in Cork

Fri, 21 Nov, 2025

Richard Collins: Black Death myths challenged in new research paper
Richard Collins: Black Death myths challenged in new research paper
A millennium ago, climate change began drying out grasslands in Asia. Black rats there sought sanctuary in human dwellings. When the rats died of the plague, their fleas jumped onto people

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Free the Fifteen protest
Free the 15 penguins campaign highlights captive animals issue
The owners of Sea Life London Aquarium have pledged to listen to "constructive ideas" about the care of their gentoo penguins after a campaign against the birds' captivity

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Berries which will make your garden a magnet for birds
Nature’s bounty of wild, native winter fruits
Yew trees’ bright, juicy red berries are poisonous to us, but birds can eat them happily, their digestive tract being unable to break down the coating of the toxic seeds inside — a perfect ploy for the yew trees to spread their seed intact

Wed, 19 Nov, 2025

Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Birds of Ireland: Merlin
A merlin is an agile flier when hunting and their pointed wings are visible. They look smaller and darker than a kestrel

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Objections to enforcement of vital sea fishing regulations are terribly misplaced
S Objections to enforcement of vital sea fishing regulations are terribly misplaced
Complaints from the fishing industry come at time of multiple stresses for the sector and with greater levels of EU-wide control and monitoring of fishing activities beginning to come into force in 2026. This is necessary so the public can have trust that marine life and the ocean environment are managed in accordance with the law says ecologist Pádraic Fogarty

Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

a Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) sitting on a post with its wings extended.
Birds of Ireland: Peregrine
Peregrines have slate-grey upperparts and a dark 'teardrop' below their eyes

Sat, 15 Nov, 2025

Tractor spreading artificial fertilizers in field
Phosphate: the world’s most under-appreciated resource
Ireland, like most of Europe, has no significant phosphate rock reserves. Every kilogram of phosphorus used on Irish farms is imported, primarily as processed fertiliser derived from mined rock abroad. That dependence makes Ireland (and the EU) strategically vulnerable

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025

Pair of male and female eursian bullfinch sitting just above water level
Why female mammals live longer than males but female birds die first
Scientists have found that while lifestyle and environment are important, genes also play a part

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Hedgehogs getting ready for hibernation
Hedgehogs getting ready for hibernation
Studies from Britain and elsewhere in Europe have found that hedgehog numbers are in steep decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation from changing farming practices and development. As the environment in Ireland is experiencing similar pressures the hedgehog population in Ireland may be similarly affected — link to study below

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Autumn weather Sep 1st 2022
Anja Murray: Epic migration of Atlantic salmon in jeopardy
Wild salmon can leap as high as three metres. Perhaps our ancient forbears were aware of the benefits of the rich fatty acids found in salmon flesh that can help our brains to function well, which would explain the folklore association between salmon, stamina and knowledge

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Explore Glenary in the Comeragh Mountains — a place of poor land but rich history
S Explore Glenary in the Comeragh Mountains — a place of poor land but rich history
On this hike you'll pass a stone-built farmstead. Known as Park Grub, it was once the upland home of the Ireland family. Ironically, William Ireland, the head of the household, was in the early part of the 20th century the only non-Irish resident in Glenary

Sun, 09 Nov, 2025

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)
Birds of Ireland: Sparrowhawk
This bird of prey flies with rapid wingbeats but does not hover

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

a willow casket - contemporary style
Michelle McKeown: The greenest ways to go when you go
When it comes to carbon footprints, the old-fashioned burial isn’t exactly green. Traditional burials involve embalming chemicals (usually formaldehyde) and hardwood coffins — but there are more eco-friendly options now available

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Donal Hickey: Keep your distance from seals — even the cutest pups
Donal Hickey: Keep your distance from seals — even the cutest pups
Every year, well-meaning members of the public approach seal pups on the beach, not realising the harm it can cause

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

Mosquito - Culiseta annulata
Richard Collins: Is human-induced global warming opening the door to dangerous insects?
During the 1850s, soldiers returning from the Crimean War introduced plasmodium, the malaria-causing parasite, to Cork’s mosquito population.  Oliver Cromwell may have died of ‘Cork fever’, contracted during his visit to Ireland

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025

BRAZIL-CLIMATE-COP30-BELEM-PREPARATION
COP30: Why we need to approach climate action with nature in mind
The viability of our collective future depends on us all using our power to ensure we change the trajectory we are on

Wed, 05 Nov, 2025

Who are CHASE and why are they holding public meetings this month?
Who are CHASE and why are they holding public meetings this month?
Nearly 25 years ago waste management comapany Indaver applied for planning permission a hazardous and non-hazardous waste incinerator at Ringaskiddy, County Cork.  This was refused permission by Cork County Council and then appealed to An Bórd Pleanála. There was considerable opposition including from environmental campaign group Chase. Oral hearings and court proceedings ensued and permission was eventually refused. This application has now been reactivated. We put some questions to CHASE...

Mon, 03 Nov, 2025

Sky Matters: rogue star wandering the galaxy since before the earth or sun was born gets a temporary comet tail
Sky Matters: rogue star wandering the galaxy since before the earth or sun was born gets a temporary comet tail
For most of its journey 3I/ATLAS has been frozen solid, but the warming rays of our Sun are enough to unfreeze some of its gases such as carbon dioxide, generating a faint cometary tail. For a period of a few weeks 3I/ATLAS comes alive, only to pass out of the solar system and spend perhaps the next billion years or more back in its frozen state

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

Right Whales
Richard Collins: Are we finally going to do right by the 'right whale'?
Slaughter for oil and baleen may have eased but there is a new threat... with the melting of Arctic ice, ship traffic is increasing and these slow-moving giants are being run down by ships

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Mink with Wet Fur
Donal Hickey: Mink eradication pilot programme underway in the Midlands
American mink were first recorded in the wild, in Ireland, more than 60 years ago, and have spread countrywide since then. The current population is descended from animals which either escaped, or were released, from mink farms

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Anja Murray: Seagrass meadows and other Irish marine life marvels 
Anja Murray: Seagrass meadows and other Irish marine life marvels 
Dublin lifeguard and diver, Gordon Leonard, saw a seagrass bed just at the shore in Sandycove, County Dublin. He reported the find to Coastwatch Ireland who identified the seagrass he had found as a species previously unknown to the east coast

Thu, 30 Oct, 2025

Flat Lay of Shattered Pumpkins After the Exciting Pumpkin Drop Event
Ireland’s frightening Halloween habit is a curse that can be broken by sustainable choices
Nature’s décor is unbeatable: fallen leaves, pinecones, bare branches, and candlelight (ideally in a glass jar rather than a plastic skull). They’re biodegradable, beautiful, and cost nothing

Wed, 29 Oct, 2025

Hike the mountain which straddles Limerick and Tipp border — with views from Kerry to Wicklow
S Hike the mountain which straddles Limerick and Tipp border — with views from Kerry to Wicklow
It's 918 metres up to the summit of Ireland's highest inland peak

Sun, 26 Oct, 2025

Birds of Ireland: Barn owl
Birds of Ireland: Barn owl
Barn owls of all ages have a flat, white heart-shaped face and large, black eyes

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Empty chair at wedding ceremony
Something borrowed, something green: How I found a sustainable wedding dress
Weddings can generate significant waste. Studies estimate an average Irish wedding produces 10–20 kilograms of plastic from decorations, catering, and more, though this varies by event size and style

Sat, 25 Oct, 2025

Pine marten 'resurrection' after nearly being wiped out by guns, strychnine, and habitat destruction
Pine marten 'resurrection' after nearly being wiped out by guns, strychnine, and habitat destruction
A plurality of martens is called a ‘richness’ — an odd term for this most solitary of mammals. The name may refer to the money that was to be made from selling its luxurious pelt

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Donal Hickey: What you need to know about deer rut season at Killarney National Park
Donal Hickey: What you need to know about deer rut season at Killarney National Park
Great nature photo opportunities here — but don't be one of those amateur photographers who wander into the fields and get too close to the herds, disrupting the animals’ normal routines. And definitely don't approach fighting stags... that's a recipe for disaster

Thu, 23 Oct, 2025

Anja Murray: Is a river alive? And if so, does it have rights?
Anja Murray: Is a river alive? And if so, does it have rights?
Two new EPA reports document an ongoing steady decline in water quality across Ireland's lakes, rivers and estuaries as pollution levels continue to rise. A whopping 44% of Irish rivers now have nitrogen concentrations that exceed healthy limits

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

A Beautiful Ireland milkyway pictures
Sky Matters: When to see this week's Orionid meteor shower — and how
While dark skies make it easiest to see the Orionids, don’t be put off by not having access to a pristine location

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

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