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The National Parks and Wildlife Service are inviting the people of Donegal and visitors in the county to an exciting action packed festival of biodiversity-themed events in Glenveagh National Park during National Biodiversity Week.
Le Chéile don Dúlra (Together for Nature) takes place from 16th-24th May.
The festival, which forms part of a national series of biodiversity themed events, will showcase the landscape of Glenveagh, its natural history, culture and people with a special emphasis on the role of arts in highlighting our connections with nature.
During the festival, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD will launch our fantastic new event space, An Foscadh Mór, on Monday 19th May.
The varied festival events will bring together professionals working for nature, artists, musicians and film makers, along with National Park staff, to host a week of activities for all ages. Everyone visiting the park during the festival will experience a special atmosphere and meaningful encounter with what it means to be in a National Park and a Special Area of Conservation that forms part of the European Natura 2000 Network – the largest network of nature protection sites in the world.
The festival is a collaboration between Glenveagh National Park, Donegal County Council, Creative Ireland, the OPW and The Glebe Gallery. Contributions from ATU, Leave No Trace, ETB, three local community groups and other businesses and nature based projects will all be showcased throughout the week of festivities. Glenveagh have National Park has also partnered with the National College of Art & Design to host a special residency for graduates of the Art & Ecology Course.
Running all week will be a nature library, pop up nature shop, artists in residence and hands on fun and learning in a large nature themed marquee. There are a variety of workshops for adults and school groups, live music, dawn chorus walks, nature yoga and demonstrations as well as a special book launch of a new book by Ralph Sheppard on the birds of Donegal.
Local young people are opening the festival on Friday 16th May with a special event called ‘Voices For Nature’, with musical performances and special guest artist Roisin Doherty.
A real highlight of the week will be a unique gathering of film makers, along with Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, who have worked in Glenveagh over the years and together they will share their stories and experiences, past and present in filming Glenveagh’s landscape, wildlife and its people. Both award winning companies, Crossing the Line and Paper Owl Films will host this special evening with music, film clips and a special preview of a new children’s film currently under production.
Being part of the Natura 2000 network makes Glenveagh a very unique and special place for nature conservation. To celebrate Natura 2000 Day on Wednesday 21st the park will host a special biodiversity café brunch event to encourage greater networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange between all those in Donegal working for biodiversity and nature protection.
All events are free to attend and early booking is advised.
View the full programme and book your place at: www.nationalparks.ie/glenveagh/things-to-do/events/
All enquiries can be emailed to glenveagh-education@npws.gov.ie
Any organisation wishing to take part in the Biodiversity Market place exhibition in the visitor centre running all week is invited to make contact with the Glenveagh Nature Education team. Watch out on the Park’s social media feeds for further updates, announcements and news over the coming weeks.
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