Mayo set to celebrate nature and tradition at inaugural Wild Nephin Festival
Ballycroy Visitor Centre announces biodiversity talks and inaugural three-day festival celebrating nature, heritage and local communities across Mayo
A packed programme of upcoming biodiversity events has been announced, alongside the launch of the inaugural Wild Nephin Nature Festival in Mayo, which will take place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7.
Following a week of events marking National Biodiversity Week, World Bee Day and European Day of Parks, Wild Nephin is inviting the public to attend a free afternoon of biodiversity talks at the visitor centre tomorrow Saturday, May 23, from 12pm to 3pm.
The programme will feature a range of short presentations focusing on wildlife and conservation within the park. At 12.15pm, Conservation Ranger Sara Sheridan will present Mammals & Birds of the Park – Snapshot Europe Project.
During lunch from 12.45pm to 1.45pm, visitors will be able to watch short films produced through recent collaborative projects between the park and videography students.
At 2pm, Conservation Ranger Brian Hughes will deliver a talk on the pine marten, while District Conservation Officer Irene O’Brien will speak on birds of prey at 2.30pm. Admission to the event is free.
Organisers have also confirmed that the first-ever Wild Nephin Nature Festival will take place over three days in early June, bringing together communities and local groups from around the national park for a programme of family-friendly activities celebrating biodiversity, culture and heritage.
Festival events will begin on Friday, June 5, at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre, with activities throughout the day followed by an official launch and music circle from 6pm.
Saturday, June 6, will include events at Ballycroy and the Letterkeen Trailhead, before evening activities at Enniscoe House and North Mayo Heritage Centre.
On Sunday, June 7, the village of Bangor Erris will showcase local crafts and traditions, including a rambling house and traditional music performances. The festival will conclude with an evening gathering at the Erris Coast Hotel featuring music, dancing and a tour of a corncrake conservation project.
Organisers said the festival has been developed in collaboration with communities surrounding the park and aims to celebrate the landscapes, wildlife, culture and traditions of the Wild Nephin region.
More information on the festival programme is available via the National Parks and Wildlife Service website for Wild Nephin.