Lots of event held to celebrate Biodiversity Week in Nenagh
Biodiversity is the variety of life found in a place on Earth. Species richness is a common measure of this variety, and it is the count of species in an area.
During Biodiversity Week 2025 two specific events were held in Nenagh to encourage adults and children to be aware of the richness of species in their surroundings and to look after these species in ways such as selection of native species when planting; encouraging pollinators; non-use of pesticides and not disturbing natural habitats.
The first event was a ‘Nature Scavenger Hunt’ around the Historic & Cultural Quarter of Nenagh covering the Castle Grounds, the Castle Gardens and the grounds of Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Catholic Church.
Here, participants looked at the variety of plants that could be seen and were amazed that there are so many species in a small urban area. Some might be classified as weeds, some have been intentionally planted and some have grown after seeds have been spread by birds.
They also learned of the different types of birds that can be seen and heard and, in particular, about the Swift which is an agile, fast-flying bird that is an annual visitor to Nenagh Castle.
On Thursday, May22, 36 visitors from Saint Cronan’s participated in the Scavenger Hunt and took away with them an assortment of seeds and information booklets.
On Saturday, May 24, a group of adults and children braved some light showers to enjoy the surroundings and look for a variety of plants in the Castle Grounds including daisies, dandelions, buttercups, sycamore, red valerian, dockleaf, baby sage, catmint, laurel, ivy, plantain, robin-run-the-hedge, holly, silver birch and horse chestnut.
In the Castle Garden they saw willow, yew, European mountain ash (rowan), hydrangea, globe artichoke, flowering currant, lavender, woodland strawberry and heather. And the oxeye daisies in the Church grounds made a spectacular display.
The Scavenger Hunts were co-ordinated by Nenagh & Environs Tidy Towns Committee, North Tipperary Development Company, Nenagh Tourist Office and Tipperary County Council.
POETRY COMPETITION
Primary Schools across the Nenagh Municipal District were invited to take part in a poetry competition based on the letters of the word ‘NATURE’. Entries were received from Kilcommon NS, Silvermines NS, Birdhill NS, Kilkeary NS and Kiladangan NS.
Some of the winners were presented with their prizes by Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District Councillor Fiona Bonfield at a ceremony in Nenagh Tourist Office on Friday, May 30. The remaining winners will receive their prizes at a later date.
The standard was very high and selecting winners was a difficult task. Prizes were sponsored by Nenagh Credit Union Ltd.
Each winner was presented with ‘The Great Irish Biodiversity Book’ by Éanna Ní Lamhna and a ‘Love Tipperary’ Gift Card. Well done to all and a special thanks to all the teachers in the schools who facilitated this at a very busy time of the year!
The following is the list of prize-winners:
Evan Ryan, Kilcommon NS; Paula Pía Moroney, Kilcommon NS; Molly-Anne Ryan, Silvermines NS; Helena Szymanska, Birdhill NS; Mark Bourke Darcy, Kilkeary NS; John Foley, Kilkeary NS; Amanda Yadan, Kiladangan NS.