National Biodiversity Week 2024 runs over 10 days from Fri 17 to Sunday 26 May. It is organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), with funding provided to them by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The week is all about connecting people with nature and communicating the importance of biodiversity and the need to protect it. It’s also about entertainment and socialising though, and Irish Cycling Campaign is busy planning ‘Bikes and Biodiversity’ events in many parts of the country through our local groups. We acknowledge here the kind support of IEN (which we became a member of in late 2023) in enabling us to run these events.
You can see the full list of events here:
| Local Group leading the Event | Bikes & Biodiversity Event | Website / Webpage with more info on the event |
| Clonakilty Bicycle Festival | Clonakilty Bicycle Festival hosted River Cycle in collaboration with Clochán Uisce (local rivers group), a cycle to explore the biodiversity in our local riversand check its health including kick sampling and water testing as part of the EU drinkable rivers program, Family friendly. Sunday 19th May at 3pm. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/feagle-river-cycle-in-collaboration-with-clochan-uisce-and-birdwatch-ireland/ |
| Clonakilty Bicycle Festival | Clonakilty Bicycle Festival hosted Bird Watch estuary Sunset cycle cycle from clinical town to the Inchydoney estuary identifying local bird species, run in collaboration with Bird Watch Ireland. Sat 18th May (time TBC – tidal related). | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/bird-watch-estuary-sunset-cycle/ |
| Clonakilty Bicycle Festival | Clonakilty Bicycle Festival hosted Stop, Look, Listen Biodiversity cycle. Cycle a lap of the town to the biodiversity garden at Bennetts Field, and listen to three pieces of music on the theme of nature and biodiversity. Sunday 19th May, 10.30am. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/stop-look-listen-cycle/ |
| Cloughjordan Cycling | Cloughjordan Cycling hosted `NatureCycles` – a guided looped cycle to natural heritage locations in the wider Cloughjordan area where the guide will inform about each locations nature value. The cycle will include a visit to a small family run organic farm to learn more about their diverse agri-ecosystem. Sunday 19th May. | Details to be added to https://biodiversityweek.ie/events-calendar/ soon |
| Cork Cycling Campaign | Cork Cycling Campaign hosted ‘Bike-o-diversity Celebrates Biodiversity’ cycle tour of Cork City. Sun 26 May. | https://corkcyclingcampaign.com/events/ https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/bike-o-diversity-meets-biodiversity-at-tramore-valley-park/ |
| Dublin Cycling Campaign | Dublin Cycling Campaign hosted Dublin Community Garden Cycle with a Biodiversity theme. Sat 18 May. | https://www.dublincycling.com/events/community-gardens-cycle-0 https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/dublin-cycling-campaign-community-gardens-cycle/ |
| Gorey Pedestrian and Cycling Association | Gorey Pedestrian & Cycling Association hosted Biodiversity Bike Ride. “Instead of Nature walks, come for a Nature cycle (or ride). The cycle route will stop by several biodiversity areas in Gorey. Learn what we have and how we can do so much more to protect the nature in Gorey. | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/biodiversity-bike-ride-tickets-876731877647?aff=oddtdtcreator |
| Kerry Cycling Campaign | Kerry Cycling Campaign hosted Nature Cycle along the Tralee to Fenit Greenway and meet some of the wild plants and habitats along the way. Tar linn arrothaíocht dhúlra ar Bhealach Glas Thrálí – Fhianait, ag buaileadh leis na plandaí ages ghnáthog fhiáin ar an slí. Led by Niamh Ní Dhúill (Natural Wild Gardens) and Cathy Eastman. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/nature-cycle-tralee-to-fenit-greenway/ |
| Leitrim Cycling Festival | Hosted by Leitrim Cycling Festival with the Leitrim Hawthorn Project. As part of the Leitrim Cycling Festival (this year in Keshcarrigan), the event will celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Hawthorn tree through music, dance, storytelling and sharing the folklore and medicinal properties of the tree and discovering its key role in supporting biodiversity. Facilitated by Tara Boath Mooney, artist, singer, facilitator who has helped lead the community heritage project and its research into the Hawthorn traditions throughout Leitrim. | https://leitrimcyclingfestival.com/leitrim-hawthorn-project/ |
| Naas Cycling Campaign | Naas Cycling Campaign / Naas Biodiversity Group hosted event. Explore nature-friendly projects completed by the Naas Biodiversity Group in recent years. For example, our Pocket Forests, rainwater planters, plus hedgerows that have been newly planted or rejuvenated through hedge laying. Meet like-minded people and learn practical tips to protect nature in your local area! The event is children-friendly (and for people who are not super confident cycling!), as we’ll be cycling slowly and over a relatively short route. When: Friday 17th May at 7-9pm Where: Meeting at the Naas Lakes, Naas, Co. Kildare. We will cycle together to K Leisure, stopping along the way to discuss different projects. No registration necessary, just turn up on the way! If you need a bike or have any questions, contact the Naas Biodiversity Group on [email protected] or 0894147367. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/naas-biodiversity-bike-ride/ |
| Sligo Cycling Campaign | Sligo Cycling Campaign hosted ‘After work Biodiversity Cycle to Strandhill and Culleenamore Sand Dunes’ to study Coastal Biodiversity Picnic with supper included as participants will miss an evening meal at home. Guided by an Ecologist from Woodrow. Thu 23rd May 2024, 5.30pm to 9pm. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/coastal-biodiversity-cycle-to-strandhill/ |
| WexBUG | Wexford Bicycle User Group hosted Biodiversity Cycle to Wexford Wildfowl Reserve / Wexford Slobs with a guide from NPWS / Wexford Naturalist Field Club. | https://biodiversityweek.ie/events/biodiversity-cycle-to-wexford-wildfowl-reserve/ |
See https://biodiversityweek.ie/events-calendar/ for the full list of Biodiversity Week events as being collated by Irish Environmental Network.
