Explore the magic of our local woodlands all through the upcoming Heritage Week with the Friends of Merlin Woods.
These local environmentalists are working with a wide range of other community groups to put on a week of engaging activities at Merlin Woods.
Heritage Week week begins on Sunday, August 18 at midday with a Butterfly and Nature Walk led by Colin Stanley of Friends of Merlin Woods & the Galway Butterfly Project.
Merlin Woods are home to 19 different species of butterflies, and a vast array of insects, wildflowers and bountiful habitats.
This promises to be a fun day out for families to enjoy the woodlands and learn more about the animals we share space with.
Then on Monday the Galway Bat Group will be joining in for a walkaround to get an earful of the bats that make their home in the woods.
People will get to use handheld bat detectors to listen to the sounds of the bats as they forage along the tree lines and tower house and which help to identify species flying nearby.
Galway City Heritage Office will be running archaeology events in Merlin Woods from the 20- 23, more information about the different events on can be found on the Heritage Week website.
The Friends of Merlin Woods are teaming up with the Ard Family Resource centre to put on a treasure trail of discovery through the woodland habitats for local children on Wednesday, August 21. Booking is essential for this event.
Learn about the techniques of Woodland Coppicing with Debbie Reilly, visiting the ongoing project within areas of Merlin Woods .
Explore the benefits to the flora, fauna and how the wood which has been coppiced can be put to good sustainable use on Thursday, August 22 from 7pm – 8.30pm.
An Evening with Ruth Hannify will take place in the nest of the woods on Friday from 7:30pm – 8:30pm exploring her love of our local wildlife.
Ruth as been working with the Vincent Wildlife Trust studying all sorts of mammals and has been involved in a few different events both in the woods and the city through Go Wild.
And on Saturday anyone who’s ever wondered at how wildlife photographers get the amazing shots they do can ask seasoned photographer Noel Barbour.
With a strong of Merlin Woods himself, Noel will be taking people on a practical trip of Wildlife Photography. Bring your camera and capture some memories to take home with you.
And to wrap up the week, Ard Gardening group and Ard Women’s circle with support of the Ard Family Resource centre will have the annual picnic in the Merlin Woods Community Garden on Sunday, August 25 from 2pm – 5pm.
All events begin in Merlin Woods Community Garden unless otherwise stated . More info from friendsofmerlinwoods@gmail.com or on 0852484380.
