Forthcoming events

The Waterford Branch holds its AGM at May 11th at the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre, Barrack St Waterford. The  meeting starts at 7.30 pm sharp.

We have invited the environmental reps. who sit on various Local Agenda 21 bodies to attend and identify local environmental issues that need to be addressed.  Please come along. 

We will also have present a representative of the Avon Wildlife Trust who is based in Bristol.  

On Sunday May 24th , Waterford IWT offers a two -hour  sailing trip in Waterford Estuary.   

Grace O'Sullivan operates the  Brian Boru, a 65' ketch rigged, fully licenced sailing vessel, with Tony McLoughlin. She will be our guide for the trip.  The Brian Borus has a spacious deck-house which accommodates all passengers. Grace will tell us about the ecology of this rich and historic body of water.  Maximum number of participants  for this unique experience is twelve.  The trip is being offered at a special IWT rate of €20 for members and €25 for non-members on a first-come basis.   

Please reserve at woodhouseduo@gmail.com asap.  The trip starts at 2 pm. 

River Suir walk

This months Sunday walk will take place on 10th May along the river Suir towpath. Meet at the carpark in Kilsheelan at 2.30 p.m.
There are two lengths of walk: 5km and 11.5km
The longer walk will end in Carrick and takes 3 hours. A bus will drop us back to Kilsheelan. The shorter option ends close to the Merck factory and exits by way of the fishermans path where a bus will be waiting to pick up. This option lasts 90 minutes.

Removing linear wildlife features

one height for all... the Council policy

whats left of the trees...

...once a beautiful glen....the Glen road in Tramore

....making room for access to the Ballygunnar graveyard

any chance for the remaining hedgerows along Mass path?

Dunhill walk (Change of date to 15th March)

The Dunhill Wetlands are the venue for the next IWT walk on Sunday March 15th.  Please note the change of date.

The walk starts at 2 pm from the Car Park in the village of Dunhill.  The terrain is firm and dry and even all the way to Dunhill Castle.  The walk combines nature and history and will take about 2½ hours.   Walk leader for the day is Alan Walshe of the Belle Lake Trust. Local wetland and walk enthusiasts will assist.  Promises to be a most interesting outing.  Child friendly and dog friendly.  All welcome

Spring activity

The walks Calendar for spring and summer is now posted.
Regular Sunday walks:
March 15th (was 8th) : Dunhill
April 12th: Licketstown/Carrigeen
May 10th: East Munster way: Carrick to Kilsheelan

Evening walks
May 19th: Kilbarry walkway/St John's river
June 9th: Dunmore woods
July 7th: Doneraile/Newtown woods
August 11th: Fornaght/Creaden

The Annual General Meeting will take place on  Monday, April 13th (was 20th). More details to follow.

Tramore in the New Year 2015

Marching it out

Over 60 wildlife enthusiasts braved the biting cold winter winds to take a stroll in the salt marshes and sand dunes at Tramore, County Waterford. 

Birds of a feather, huddle together

The walk was led by the intrepid master of ceremonies, Ray McGrath with insightful commentary from locals, Alan Walsh and Grace O'Sullivan.

Our own bird man

Ray reading a poem from the Book on the Backstrand by Ollie Breslin and Paddy Dwan

Ray explaining the work of the local branch of IWT, cap in hand!

Grace explaining her aero bar theory of the soft sand in the Backstrand

Recent walks and walks to come

The December walk takes place on Sunday December 14th .  Starting at Cheekpoint Quay at 1.30 pm the route takes in the river road along to Cheekpoint  Marsh and up and over the Minaun to finish back in Cheekpoint.   The Godwit have returned from Iceland, the red squirrels are gathering winter stores in the Glazing Woods, the evergreens are lustrous in the sun,  and the mince pies await at journey’s end.  We will seek dry terrain and even surface,  but it is winter,  so wear waterproof boots or walking shoes and be prepared for a gentle climb over the Minaun.   All welcome. 

Grid reference S 685 138

Click here for a picture from Street View.

 

The November walk was held on Sunday November 9th from the Saratoga Pub, Woodstown The focus was on the Suir Estuary life and the walk went along Dromina Strand and Crooke Strand to Passage.   

 

The October walk took place at Ballyduff house near Inistioge on October 12th. The Ballyduff estate borders the river Nore and the walk along a stretch of the river and through stands of native hardwoods.