A chara,

I hope you're enjoying your long weekend! Have a look below at some upcoming events. I've also included two recordings of online events that took place over Biodiversity Week. This year was an amazing year for events, and the weather was mostly with us throughout the whole ten days. There were over 400 events listed with some in every county! Thank you to everyone who hosted and attended, I hope you enjoyed something special over the week!

Did you miss Biodiversity Week this year? There are lots of events and campaigns throughout the whole year from IEN member groups. Find all of our members here and sign up directly to their newsletters, membership, or follow them online to keep up to date with their work. We feature some of their events and work here but it's far from everything, so I'd encourage you to have a look at the range of topics that they cover and follow those that work on your own specific interests.

We have one final event for Biodiversity Week coming up, and that's the Biodiversity Photographer of the Year Exhibition! It will be opening in July at Sonairte Eco-Centre, and open to visit for the rest of the Summer. Keep an eye out for more details! Till then, read on below for more events and resources.

Le meas,

Catherine

Community Groups Showcase

Join those who are making a difference for nature and climate in your county! Find people in your area who share your interests and goals for 2026. Below are just three groups out of hundreds in Ireland.

Find more on your PPN's website. Go to their 'members' section and sort by 'Environmental Pillar' to see some of the groups in your area.

Already in a group of your own? Find your PPN online (search 'your county' and 'ppn') to join for free and receive free training, information on local events and funding, and the opportunities to affect local policy creation in your County Council.

Native Oyster Reef Restoration Ireland

Wicklow

The local community started the initiative to restore their historic beds and established the Native Oyster Reef Restoration Ireland (NORRI), supported by Wicklow County Council.

The first restoration goal is to identify suitable site for oyster reef restoration, along the Wicklow’s coastal marine area, and establish it as a no-take Biomimicry LivingLabs that can be replicated throughout Ireland and Europe.

Read more here

Waterford Bicycle Users Group

Waterford

We're voluntary advocacy group aiming to make the Déise *the* place for cycling in Ireland. Join us!

There is a strong core group in WBUG who want to see Waterford city realising its enormous potential to become a much more bicycle friendly city and to grow its everyday cycling culture. 

Follow them here

If you are based in Waterford and would like to join WBUG, you can do so via Irish Cycling Campaign membership page (and then tick ‘WBUG’ / Waterford City & County Council area when you are completing the form) – see https://www.irishcyclingcampaign.ie/membership/.

Cork Speleological Group

Cork

Founded in 1968, members of Cork Speleological Group (CSG) have explored caves across the island of Ireland and internationally, with expeditions in Cork, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare, Fermanagh, Sligo as well as in England, France and Canada. Today, members of the group continue the traditions of its founders, actively participating in cave exploration and the Irish caving community.

Over the past few years, cavers from CSG have been involved in various cave projects, including exploration, mapping/surveying and archaeological excavations.

Join Group (Facebook)

JUNE EVENTS

World Ocean Week Conference - 3rd June 2026 - Cork City Hall 



June 3rd, 9:30am

Cork

Join us in Cork for the second Fair Seas Conference in 2026. We will be kicking off World Ocean Week 2026 with a splash in Cork Harbour. We will again bring ocean advocates, the fishing community, government, industry and key stakeholders together to map out Ireland’s next steps for designating and managing a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). 

Learn from best practices from across the world, be part of the conversation and develop an understanding of how Ireland can become a world leader in ocean conservation. 

Join us in Cork City Hall on Wednesday, 3rd of June, from 9. 30 am to 4.30 pm. 

Book your ticket today

Make Your Own Bottle Lamp with Kopper Kreation

June 6th, 1.30am - 4,30pm

Dublin

Give an old glass bottle a new life in this creative, hands-on workshop with Kopper Kreation.

Bring along your favourite empty bottle, whether it’s whiskey, gin, or something else, and turn it into a one-of-a-kind lamp. Emmet from Kopper Kreation will guide you through each step, from drilling the bottle to wiring it safely, so you can head home with a fully working lamp you made yourself.

All tools and materials are provided, and you’ll have the chance to personalise your lamp by choosing your own cable, bulb holder, and bulb on the day.

Get tickets

Advantages of a Plant-Based Food System

June 10th, 7pm

Online

GREEN FOUNDATION IRELAND invites you to join us for an evening online talk "Advantages of a Plant-Based Food System".

In 2023 the Danish Government – the first country in the world – published a 'Danish Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods'. In its preface, the Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen from the Liberal Party of Denmark, stated that "plant-based foods are the future" and that increasing the production and consumption of plant-based foods will help solve a whole list of societal challenges ranging from health to environment.

In this talk we will explore the benefits of Ireland taking steps towards a plant-based food system.

Our guest speaker is JAMES O'DONOVAN, who became vegetarian in 1991 after reading John Robbins' book 'Diet for a New America' (1987, Stillpoint) and became vegan in 2011. In 2018 he set up and co-edited the online magazine 'Vegan Sustainability' with Bronwyn Slater of 'The Irish Vegan' until 2024. In 2022 they started working with others to set up the Vegan Society of Ireland. He currently works part-time as a training provider for community groups on sustainability issues.

TO BOOK: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/advantages-of-a-plant-based-food-system-tickets-1990233149927?aff=oddtdtcreator

FOR MORE INFO: https://greenfoundationireland.ie/online-talkadvantages-of-a-plant-based-food-system10-jun-2026/

Willow Basket Masterclass Weekend

June 13th & 14th

Leitrim

Learn basket weaving from master weaver Tom O Brien, in this weekend course on June 13th and 14th in the beautiful Summer surrounds of the Organic Centre. Tom will teach you how to master the technique and weave your first basket to go away with, for breads, shopping or general use. Grab the last two spaces on this extremely popular course.

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Book now

FREE Repair Café at the Rediscovery Centre

June 20th, 10am - 4pm

Dublin

Got something in need of repair? Bring your broken bikes, furniture or textiles on the 20th June and learn to fix them with our experts!

Join us at the Rediscovery Centre on 20th June where you can bring along your broken item and work together with our experts to help you repair it. There will be experts in textiles, furniture and (bi)cycles from the Rediscovery Centre on hand to share their knowledge!

Registration is required for this drop-in event, open from 10am - 4pm, and places on the day are on a first-come, first-served basis.

As these free community events can be quite busy, and we want to ensure everyone is able to participate, we are only able to repair one item per person.

More info

French Polishing Level 2

June 27th, 9.30am - 4,30pm

Dublin

Completed Level 1? Take your French polishing skills further with advanced techniques and hands-on guidance from The Dublin Polishers

Take your French Polishing skills to the next level in this hands-on intermediate workshop with Jay & Jo of The Dublin Polishers. Designed for those with experience in French polishing or who have completed our introductory course, this session focuses on refining your technique and achieving a true mirror-like finish.

With guidance from this highly experienced duo, you’ll explore traditional methods passed down through generations of master craftsmen - techniques rarely used in modern finishing today.

Get tickets

JULY EVENTS

Rewild Your Energy – A Metabolic Reset Inspired by Nature

July 11th, 10am-4pm

Leitrim

With Fran Norgate, a certified Nutrition & Lifestyle Advisor . The one-day workshop is designed as a gentle, accessible introduction to circadian rhythms, metabolic health and energy regulation, suitable for people who are new to these ideas.

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​The focus is on helping participants understand why they may feel exhausted, foggy or out of balance despite eating well and taking care of themselves — and how reconnecting with natural rhythms can support energy, hormones and overall wellbeing.

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Book now

Blue & Green Community Network, an initiative of Cumann na Daoine, is recruiting a Community Climate Action Worker

Youghal Blue & Green Community Network is seeking to recruit an enthusiastic and committed

Community Climate Action Worker to support community-led climate action and environmental

initiatives in the Youghal area.

The Role

This role will work with local communities, schools and organisations to support community-led and inclusive climate action, helping communities move towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient

future.

Closing Date: Friday, 5 June at 5.00pm.

More information