A chara,

As the days get shorter the event list gets longer! There are events galore this month on all kinds of topics, offering a great way to meet people who are working on similar issues, to upskill and learn something new, and to celebrate! As well as the individual events listed, have a look at the links to Climate Action Week and Cavan Eco Féile to find more events taking place as part of these festivals.

I'm just back from the national conference for Public Participation Networks, this year organised by Roscommon PPN. It was a wonderful few days that I found rejuvenating and re-energising, with speakers that offered motivation and hope, workshops that gave a boost for getting into the tasks of the PPN, and the opportunity to catch up with staff and Reps in person and enjoy ourselves.

One of the workshops focused in on a report from Sligo PPN which I thought you might find interesting as environmental groups. What's Stopping Us? Barriers to action by Community and Voluntary Groups; with specific reference to involvement in Climate Action. The report outlines challenges that we all face working in voluntary groups, and puts figures on the percentage of groups that are facing the same difficulties. It is the hope that we can use this report to lobby for further resources for voluntary groups, but I also think it provides useful insight for groups who rely on volunteers or who work to assist these voluntary groups in their work. Personally, I will be redoubling my efforts to create a database of resources, projects and actions. I am putting shape on my next steps towards this so keep an eye out in the next newsletter for an update on this work.

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.

Trees Please

Cork City

Trees Please is a Cork based voluntary group, that was set up in 2019 when a group of like-minded tree enthusiasts came together. Our collective aim is to grow and propagate as many native trees as possible, and we encourage others to do the same through our tree distribution days and community engagement activities. We plant trees to improve ecosystem biodiversity for all living beings, and for the well-being of generations to come.

New collaborators and volunteers are always welcomed.

Read more here

Seabed Sanctuary

Cork

Seabed Sanctuary is an artists’ initiative working at the intersection of art and environmental science. We are a not-for-profit collective of independent practitioners who care about biodiversity loss in our coastal waters; artists working with environmentalists, marine professionals, and concerned citizens. Currently we are in the research and development stage of creating an underwater sculpture garden in Bantry Bay, Ireland.

Read more here

Saint Fintan’s Green Action

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown

St. Fintan's Green Action is a biodiversity and climate initiative by the Foxrock Parish Pastoral Council in County Dublin, focused on rewilding and environmental stewardship in their community and on church grounds.

Get in touch via Foxroxk Parish Office: secretary@foxrockparish.ie

OCTOBER EVENTS

The State of Mining in Ireland

Oct 4th, 9.30am - 4pm

Dublin

Is mining intensifying in Ireland?

What are the implications of that for people, place and planet? What are the past, current and future impacts of mining and its supply chain on the island and beyond?

Join us to hear from experts and impacted communities (experts by experience) and to join the discussion.

Find more info and tickets here

In partnership with:

FEASTA, Saving the Environment of Navan Townlands (SENT), Save Our Sperrins and Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) network.

Official opening of our specialist Oiled Wildlife Facilities

Oct 4th, 2pm - 4pm

Kildare

This event marks a significant milestone for wildlife rehabilitation and emergency response in Ireland. Kildare Wildlife Rescue is the only wildlife hospital and rehabilitation centre in Ireland with dedicated specialist facilities, together with the experience and expertise required to respond to and care for wildlife affected by oil pollution.

The development of these facilities represents an important step forward in Ireland's capacity to respond to oil pollution incidents and wildlife emergencies. The specialist care, treatment and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife requires extensive knowledge, appropriate facilities and a coordinated response to give affected animals the best possible chance of recovery and release.

While the completion of these facilities is an important milestone, it is only the beginning. There is still much more to be done as we continue to develop and strengthen our facilities and capacity to meet the growing needs of wildlife rehabilitation and conservation in Ireland.

Register here

Otter Walk along the River Shannon, Limerick

Oct 5th, 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Limerick

Come join Nature Network Ireland for a guided walk and talk along the River Shannon.

This hour-long walk will be led by a Nature Network Ireland expert and will allow you the opportunity to learn about Otters, how to spot them and their habitats. This walk will start at the main plaza and follow the River Shannon as it winds its way through the University of Limerick campus. Come spend an hour learning about theses charismatic creatures.

Join the waiting list

Agroforestry for Water Quality & Resilience in the Lough Neagh Catchment walk-and-talk events

Farm Walk Series

Oct 5th - 8th

Armagh

Hosted by the Irish Agroforestry Forum in collaboration with Trees on the Land, Ulster Wildlife, the Rivers Trust and the Blackwater River Catchment Trust and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

These walks are supported by the Shared Island Fund provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Join us for a series of farm walks exploring how integrating trees onto productive farms can protect and improve water quality, mitigate flooding, and boost farm resilience across the Lough Neagh catchment. These walks offer a practical look at how trees manage nutrient run-off, enhance soil infiltration, and restore waterways. The walk series will include visits to farms to see a newly planted site, farms planning systems and 37 year old established trials at Loughgall. Whether you are a farmer, landowner, advisor, forester or student, these visits will provide valuable information and knowledge on how to integrate trees into farming systems so they provide ecosystem services that will help and support production and the environment. Please wear appropriate footwear -boots/wellingtons and bring a waterproof coat.

See Event Details Here

Protect our Health, Water & Biodiversity from Pesticides

Oct 6th, 10am - 2pm

Dublin and Online

Please note change of venue: The new venue is The Gibson Hotel, Dublin & Online.

Background:

Under the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, crucial discussions are expected on the future of EU pesticide regulation, including the proposed Food and Feed Safety Omnibus package. Civil society organisations, scientists, water sector representatives and beekeepers across Europe have expressed serious concerns that parts of the proposed deregulation agenda could weaken environmental and health protections, particularly regarding pesticides and pollinator safety.

This high-level conference aims to create a constructive platform for dialogue between policymakers, scientists, civil society and stakeholders. The event will present the latest scientific evidence on pesticides’ impacts on health, water quality, biodiversity and pollinators, while discussing how EU legislation can better uphold the precautionary principle and support a truly sustainable agricultural transition.

More info and register here

Narratives of Green Growth and Degrowth in Popular Hollywood Films

Oct 7th, 2pm - 4pm

Belfast

IN-PERSON LECTURE. Green Foundation Ireland, In collaboration with the Centre for Sustainability, Equality and Climate Justice, invite you to join us for the above lecture which will be chaired by JOHN BARRY, Professor of Green Political Economy at Queen's University Belfast.

As we breach so many planetary boundaries, film and media must address the dilemma of western over-consumption and the resulting need for economic degrowth – or at least some form of green growth, which the EU has been promoting up to recently. This can be illustrated by Hollywood's ongoing fixation with 'saving the planet' and cautionary science fiction storylines that often call attention to problems around over-consumption and the urgent need for degrowth. Examples used to illustrate the lecture include WALL-E, Downsizing, the Avatar franchise and the Netflix hit, Don't Look Up.

Our guest lecturer will be PAT BRERETON, Emeritus Professor at Dublin City University, and who is Chair of Green Foundation Ireland. His latest book is "Farming in Ireland: Crisis and Climate – An Oral History from the Irish Midlands" (Wordwell, 2026). Over much of his academic career, Pat has remained preoccupied with how fictional (and documentary) narratives serve to address the climate emergency.

More info

Book tickets

C𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟓 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬

Oct 8th & 9th

Leitrim

Woodlands of Ireland invite you to a gathering for talks, walks, discussions and networking, at Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim on Thursday 8th & Friday 9th October 2026.

Registration:

https://www.woodlandsofireland.com/25-anniversary-nws/ 

The existence of the Native Woodland Schemes since 2001 has to some degree acted as a catalyst in encouraging a greater landscape restoration and expansion of semi-natural woodland habitats in addition to measures funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The gathering for talks, walks, discussions and networking will focus on:

(a)  A retrospective of how and why the Native Woodland Schemes came into being

(b)  An insight into the experience of foresters and ecologists employing the scheme measures.

(c)  Future prospects for semi-natural woodland conservation and management 

- followed by a field trip on Friday 9th October, visiting a site where Native Woodland Scheme measures have been applied.

This event is part-funded by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Forestry Promotions Projects Open Call 2026. Other Woodlands of Ireland funders include National Parks and Wildlife Service, The Heritage Council and the Irish Environmental Network.

Library Seed Bank Training Day – Irish Seed Savers Association

Oct 10th, 10am - 4.30pm

Clare

Irish Seed Savers Association is offering a specialist one-day training programme for library staff looking to establish and manage a community seed bank. Designed to be practical and implementation-focused, the day equips librarians with the skills, confidence, and tools to set up a seed library from scratch — condensing what could otherwise take months of research and trial and error into a single day.

Participants leave with a clear understanding of how a community seed library works, how to manage it effectively, and how to engage their local community, along with a complete, ready-to-use toolkit to move straight from training to delivery. The training is designed to build lasting capacity within the library service itself, so staff can run their seed library independently, shaped around their own county's targets and partnerships.

The training is led by Carimi Cortez Ribeiro, Curator and Gene Bank Manager at Irish Seed Savers, a biologist and plant scientist with a PhD in plant taxonomy and extensive field and herbarium research experience.

Booking essential — see the Irish Seed Savers website for dates and details.

Beaumont Quarry Clean up

Oct 10th, 11am - 1pm

Cork City

Join the Movement to Protect Cork’s Biodiversity on Saturday October 10th 2026

This hidden gem in Cork City is not just a disused quarry - it’s an important sanctuary for native plants, animals, and insects.

• What:   Help us to manage and protect Beaumont Quarry's unique biodiversity
• When:  Saturday October 10th from 11am to 1pm.
• Where: Meet at the top of the path into the quarry (look out for the Cork Nature Network sign)

Your volunteer efforts will help preserve the quarry’s biodiversity, providing a safe haven for wildlife and a green space for all to enjoy. You’ll meet other great volunteers with a passion for the environment.

More info and register here

Galtee Peatlands Visioning Workshop

Oct 10th, 11am - 3pm

Forrest Hall, Mitchelstown , Cork

Oct 11th, 11am - 3pm

Deebert House Hotel, Cork

Creative Communities Shine a Light on the Ballyhoura & Galtee Peatlands.

This community workshop will gather local stories and knowledge to create a collaborative exhibition, which will be unveiled at the project's launch event!

People living in and around the Ballyhoura and Galtee Mountains are being invited to take part in a series of free creative community workshops exploring the rich wildlife and our connections that make these peatlands so special.

Hosted in partnership with Ballyhoura Development, the workshops will bring together the local community to co-create a public exhibition inspired by the people who know these landscapes best.

These hands-on workshops will offer participants the opportunity to learn more about peatland ecology and biodiversity, explore their own connections with these remarkable habitats and contribute to a shared vision for their future.

Two dates available.

More info and register for Saturday in Mitcheltstown

More info and register for Sunday at Deebert House Hotel

Permaculte Masterclass with Geoff Lawton

Oct 10th & 11th

Cork

Transition Town Kinsale and Regenerate are happy to announce that Geoff Lawton, one of the world's top Permaculture Designers is coming to Kinsale this October from Australia.

Learn how to design abundant and regenerative landscapes with this experienced masterclass teacher. 

If you are a landowner, farmer or you just want to redesign your garden, this workshop is not to be missed.

Watch Geoff's welcome message here.

Contact info@regenerateourecosystem.ie to book your place today!

Environmental Film Series with County Carlow Environmental Network #1

Oct 11th, 3pm

Carlow

County Carlow Environmental Network (CCEN) has a new Environmental Film series taking place this Autumn-Winter in collaboration with the Visual Carlow.

The first of four films centres on the theme of Climate Change and Farming. Join us for a double showing of the films #CLIMATESCAM and Food For Thought followed by a Q&A.

Tickets are free but must be booked. Find out more about these films and book your tickets here.

The Nature Restoration Regulation: last best hope for peatland rewilding?

Oct 13th, 7.30pm

Dublin

Professor John Feehan is a Geologist, Botanist, Author, and Broadcaster who will be sharing his insights into the rewetting of bogs and why we need to grasp the important opportunities to restore nature in these specialist habitats.

Find more info and tickets here

Climate Action Week

October 12th -18th

Nationwide

We're on the countdown to Climate Action Week, Ireland's 10th National Festival of Climate Action, and there are so many ways that you and your community can get involved!

🎊Attend a festival near you! Keep checking our event guide as new activities are being added daily. From interactive workshops and live demonstrations to insightful panel discussions and local community initiatives, Climate Action Week offers a packed schedule of fun events tailored for all ages and interests! View events here

🎫Host an event! To add an event, simply click on the ‘Add Your Event’ tab on the ClimateActionWeek.ie website. You can also find resources to help you host an event here.

Share your pictures, posts and reels with An Taisce's Climate Ambassadors, and they'll repost as many as we can! Please use #climateactionweek and tag @climateambassador to share.

Cavan Eco Féile

Oct 23rd - 25th

Cavan

Free concerts, family fun, climate expo, food markets, workshops and talks lined up for October Bank Holiday weekend

Cavan’s flagship sustainability and innovation festival, Cavan Eco Féile, will take place from 23rd – 25th October with free live concerts from acts like the Tumbling Paddies, Highstool Prophets, Groev, and Spirit of Smokie, a climate expo featuring 13 floors of exhibits, local food and drink offerings, sustainability talks and workshops with leading business figures, and much more.

The festival is being organised by Cavan County Council to connect people, places and ideas for a more sustainable future, celebrating our shared capacity for positive change.

Find out more here

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Environmental Film Series with County Carlow Environmental Network #2

Nov 4th, 7pm

Carlow

County Carlow Environmental Network (CCEN) has a new Environmental Film series taking place this Autumn-Winter in collaboration with the Visual Carlow.

The second of four films centres on the theme of Marine Environment. Join us for OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH, which takes viewers on a breathtaking journey, showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. Film screening TBC.

Tickets are free but must be booked. Find out more about these films and book your tickets here.

Governance for a Resilient Environment  

Nov 4th, 10.30am - 4pm

Belfast (venue TBC)  

This free training day is the first in a series, aimed at environmental NGOs across the island of Ireland.  

We will look practically at:  

• Building and recruiting an effective board  

• Developing the policies that keep an organisation accountable 

• Building the structures and systems that help organisations grow sustainably, whether they are volunteer-led, staffed, or a mix of both  

Takeaways will include: 

• A board skills audit and recruitment plan that you can use straight away  

• Knowledge sharing with environmental groups, North and South  

• Discuss challenges and solutions with a network of peers  

• Organic opportunities to forge relationships with other organisations  

This training is being offered by the CORE Project, which is funded by PEACEPLUS.  

Register here

National Climate Demonstration 2026  

Nov 14th

Dublin

Mark it in your calendar, spread the word to friends and family, and dust off your placards!

Last year, thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin to demand climate action and an end to our dependence on fossil fuels.

This year, we're coming together once again to make our voices heard, organised by Stop Climate Chaos Ireland.

The need for action has never been greater. We have just experienced the the hottest summer on record, and the impacts of climate change are becoming impossible to ignore. Together, we must act to stop climate chaos.

Let's make this year's demonstration bigger and louder than ever!

Community Heritage Grant Scheme

An annual grant scheme for community groups and not-for-profit non-governmental organisations to protect, share, and celebrate the heritage that matters to your community.

The 2027 scheme is now open.

Find out more here