Organisation: Irish Wildlife Trust

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p> Reflections on the River Suir of the three-arch humpback Knocklofty Bridge, near Clonmel. The limestone bridge dates to approximately 1770 AD and is attributed to Cork-born architect Thomas Ivory. Pictures: Larry Cummins</p>

outdoors

Hands off nature — vital to defend the laws protecting nature and people

Here's how to make your voice count and state your opposition to the proposed weakening of environmental laws across Europe — the European Commission has launched a consultation about the “simplification of administrative burdens in environmental legislation” which runs until September 10

<p>This event is free and suitable for nature lovers of all ages</p>

parenting

Tots to Teens: Life’s a beach with Cork seashore tour

<p>Hedgerows are coming into bloom and are a haven for many nesting birds. Picture: Chris White / Alamy</p>

home and gardens

Hedgerows are a haven for nesting birds — and are protected during nesting season

Bee on a dandelion with grass in the background

outdoors

Donal Hickey: Welcome dandelions instead of banishing them

outdoors

Donal Hickey: More wildflowers please!

S comment-analysis

John Gibbons: Science is continually rejected by farm bodies. Who will shout 'stop'?

Marine Protected Areas must control fishing to be effective

"The aim will be to protect at least 30% of Ireland’s seascape within MPAs by the end of this decade."

Tue, 11 Jul, 2023

Compromise on controversial Nature Restoration Law can still be reached, says commissioner

Commissioner for the Environment and Oceans Virginijus Sinkevičius said he would meet resistant MEPs 'to consider further flexibility' around rewetting of peatlands

Fri, 09 Jun, 2023

Al Gore tells Cork conference: This decade the most decisive for climate and biodiversity

The noted climate change campaigner told the Fair Seas World Ocean Day conference at Cork City Hall that Ireland is at the forefront of managing and protection marine life

Thu, 08 Jun, 2023

Robin (Erithacus rubecula).Wild bird in a natural habitat.

'A bit late and a bit rich': Irish MEPs criticised for environment law stance

European People’s Party, which represents Fine Gael, left negotiations last week on the Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 20% of the EU’s damaged land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems by 2050.

Tue, 06 Jun, 2023

3D Isometric Flat Vector Conceptual Illustration of Energy Legislation And Policy

The State must take responsibility for the restoration of nature

How on earth can we ask farmers to make long-term commitments for nature when the State itself seems to have no interest?

Tue, 23 May, 2023

Two Munster fishermen win appeal over trawling ban

The Irish Wildlife Trust has described the judgment as “dreadful news for marine life in coastal waters as the courts once again overturn a ban on trawling due to a technicality”

Mon, 13 Mar, 2023

Donal Hickey: Blackthorn blooms as hedgecutting ban kicks in

Birds are getting on with mating and building nests to rear their young — a key reason for the ban on hedgerow cutting and burning of land between March 1 and August 31

Thu, 09 Mar, 2023

Nothing 'green' about floating litter into the sky

No balloon is 'environmentally friendly' and every released balloon becomes litter and can be harmful, according to a study. Do you really want to celebrate a birthday or graduation or commemorate a loved one with plastic waste?

Tue, 07 Mar, 2023

'Killarney burned for days in 2021 yet here we are again'

Irish Wildlife Trust says those who burn on land have no incentive to change their habits.

Wed, 01 Mar, 2023

Our seas are not in good shape but sea life could rebound with a network of 'marine protected areas'

On land we have national parks and nature reserves and Ireland's territorial sea area is around 10 times that of our land — now we have a target of protecting 30% of our marine waters by the end of the decade

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

On a mission to boost marine habitat health

Greater Skellig hot spot included in same league as the Galápagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef

Wed, 15 Feb, 2023

Opposition asks Government to put a halt on Coillte deal

Many are in uproar as thousands of acres of rural Ireland are expected to be sold to a British investment fund as part of an afforestation deal with Coillte

Thu, 19 Jan, 2023

New Irish wildlife documentary is a hymn to nature and a cry for help

Even in producing such a beautiful celebration of nature, the filmmakers do not shy away from including scenes of its devastation, too — a beautiful white swan swims in a pool of litter and a seal has a noose of plastic netting around its neck

Tue, 10 Jan, 2023

Metal gate Rural lane, edged by hedges, leading towards mountains in the distance

Donal Hickey: Can nature survive being squeezed into thin ribbons of land?

Wildlife could rebound if we reinstated hedgerows, and cut down on chemical fertilisers and pollutants — but we need to be ready to do this

Thu, 05 Jan, 2023

Ireland has 'stacks of homework to do' in order to meet environment requirements

Nearly 200 countries signed an agreement to put humanity on a path to living in harmony with nature, but Ireland is lagging behind

Mon, 19 Dec, 2022

Donal Hickey: Have polar bears and kittens replaced robins on our Christmas cards?

Donkeys and reindeer seem to have dropped off many Christmas cards but sleepy dogs are still popular

Thu, 15 Dec, 2022

Old hiking boots filled with sweets, gifts and Christmas decoration on Nicholas day, or German Nikolaus Tag, on the 6th December

If plants are their buds or they just need to take a hike — top gift ideas for nature lovers

Quality outdoor clothing is always welcome for those who spend time in nature — warm and rain-resistant is key

Wed, 07 Dec, 2022

Juanita Browne: Give some really wild Christmas gifts this year

Unusual art, tweety toys that make bird sounds, or calendars and annual subscriptions — there's something for every nature lover here

Wed, 16 Nov, 2022

Irish Wildlife Trust and Extinction Rebellion protest

Ireland 'embarrassingly bad' after '30 years of inaction' on biodiversity crisis

Stark findings show that 91% of protected habitats in Ireland are in poor or inadequate condition, and more than 50% are declining

Wed, 08 Jun, 2022

Record number of uncontrolled wildfires in 2021

The season for wildfires is believed to be linked to the practice of illegal agricultural burning, particularly of gorse and heather in upland areas

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Biodiversity group reiterates call for new law after senator welcomes plan to clear river vegetation

Senator Mark Daly's tweet prompted a backlash from nature lovers, who said the vegetation is providing a natural defence for dispersing water

Tue, 16 Feb, 2021

Farmers unhappy as Department gets tough on 2,000 TB skin test inconclusives per year

A clampdown on TB inconclusives has been confirmed by the Department of Agriculture (DAFM).

Wed, 08 Jul, 2020

Farmers give their backing to the new Government

Farmers were generally supportive of this week’s bid to form a new Government.

Wed, 17 Jun, 2020

Expert says Wicklow gorse fire 'wiped out habitats'

The blaze, which Wicklow Fire Service believes was started deliberately, burned for a number of days in April.

Thu, 07 May, 2020

Illegal fires distract the emergency services from their vital work

What The Irish Wildlife Trust calls ‘the annual scourge of wildfires on the hills’ has always posed dangers, but creates a new kind of threat in recent times, writes Ray Ryan.

Wed, 15 Apr, 2020

Travel Notes with Tom Breathnach: Travel rights amid Covid-19 outbreak are a quagmire

I had planned to be gorging on sunshine and hummus in Beirut this week but instead I’m stressing about social distancing alongside an Aldi conveyer belt.

Mon, 23 Mar, 2020

Letter to the Editor: Destruction of nature reserve in Tallaght

Last Monday I was disappointed but not surprised to see that yet another area of natural importance has disappeared at the hands of ignorance and short-sightedness.

Thu, 26 Sep, 2019

New report highlights extent of Irish habitat and species extinction crisis

A new report on the status of our habitats and species paints a dire picture for Irish biodiversity and stresses the extent of the extinction crisis.

Thu, 22 Aug, 2019

Bohemian FC Sponsorship Launch for the 2014 Season

Wonderful year for our trees

As we move towards autumn, people everywhere are remarking how magnificent trees look this year.

Sun, 11 Aug, 2019

Three men convicted under Wildlife Acts of killing an otter in Waterford

Three men have been convicted of illegally killing an otter at Ballynatray Estate in Co. Waterford in September 2017 contrary to the Wildlife Acts.

Mon, 24 Jun, 2019

Donal Hickey: Recovery in native trees

There are some signs that we may be moving away from a saturation of conifers towards more broadleaf and native trees.

Mon, 13 May, 2019

Irish Wildlife Trust wants changes after a week of wildfires devastated upland habitats

The Irish Wildlife Trust called this week for radical transformation of uplands management, after a week of wildfires which devastated habitats across Ireland.

Wed, 24 Apr, 2019

Top score for field protection

The recent splendid spell of weather prompted some readers to inquire if we had yet heard the cuckoo.

Mon, 08 Apr, 2019

Irish Wildlife Trust object to Co Longford windfarm

The Irish Wildlife Trust is objecting to a wind farm in Co Longford.

Thu, 28 Mar, 2019

SPECIAL REPORT: Authorities scale new heights in €257m bid to protect Ireland’s national parks

A €257m, 10-year tourism masterplan for our national parks has been a long time coming, writes Caroline O’Doherty.

Mon, 16 Jul, 2018

New national parks study: Act now to save wild open spaces

I believe in beauty. I believe in stones and water, air and soil, people and their future and their fate.”

Mon, 16 Jul, 2018

Masters of nature will fight a losing battle against the birds and bees

Imagine if the drought went on all summer? I think that’s the worry which is niggling at many of us.

Thu, 05 Jul, 2018

litter washed up on a beach in county cork, ireland.

Opinion: Our seas are wrecked, but not beyond repair

This week, news swept the internet of yet another doomed whale, this time off the coast of Thailand, which is believed to have eaten up to 80 plastic bags weighing 8kg.

Sat, 09 Jun, 2018

Donal Hickey: Flora and fauna hurt Killarney

People with even a casual familiarity with one of our best national parks will be aware of two chronic problems — the growth of the deer population and rhododendron infestation, writes Donal Hickey.

Mon, 09 Apr, 2018

Warning of electric pulse fishing’s ‘disastrous’ effects

The Irish Wildlife Trust, along with other European groups, has written to the European Commission warning of the “disastrous” consequences if it allows “electric pulse” fishing.

Mon, 08 Jan, 2018

Ireland needs to wake up fast to afforestation, says Hogan

Forestry is one of the keys in transition to a low-carbon and climate-friendly economy, writes Stephen Cadogan.

Fri, 22 Dec, 2017

Simple measures to help our disappearing Winter wildlife

Many wildlife species are in decline but some simple measures can help a lot, writes Rita de Brún

Tue, 14 Nov, 2017

Environmental coalition accuses Heritage Minister of 'lack of interest' in bio-diversity

A coalition of 26 national environmental organisations says the Heritage Minister Heather Humphreys is refusing to meet with them to discuss the ongoing damage to our bio-diversity.

Thu, 05 Oct, 2017

Just shows what idiots we can be - Killarney National Park

THE ongoing confusion around the status of Killarney National Park as a Unesco world biosphere reserve and efforts to extend that status to an area five times the size of the current park epitomise our less than admirable and too often dishonest attitude towards the environment.

Mon, 26 Jun, 2017