Ballycroy

June, July, August 2024

For Summer 2024, the Wild Nephin National Park will organise special Guided Walks and Events.

Saturday June 15th.

Criunniú na nÓg will organise two wonderful events on Saturday 15th June.

At 11 am, Magic Melodies of our Bog pays tribute to traditional tunes inspired by the rich natural heritage of bogs. Participants will learn to play an Irish jig on the tin whistle led by Caroline O’Malley and dance the Geese on the Bog tune. A guided walk will follow after the music and dance.

At 2 pm, Brilliant Birds of Bog, with Melanie Whelan, will call all young artists to create a paper collage mural that celebrates the natural heritage of bogs, particularly the bird life.

Sunday, June 16th.

On Sunday, June 16th, the Ballycroy Visitor Centre will participate in the Newport Street Party from 1 pm to 5 pm on Newport Viaduct. The stand will showcase the beauty of the national park, its walking trails, and the educational Visitor Centre.

Friday, June 21st.

On Friday, June 21st, the Midnight Corncrake Tour will take place at 8:30 p.m. at Aras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet. The team of the Corncrake Life Project will tell participants about the Corncrake and lead them on a tour to hear this amazing bird under the night sky.

July

The Wild Child Kids Club will return from 9th July each Tuesday and Thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm.

On Tuesday, July 9th, the theme will be “Let’s find some bees,” while on Thursday, July 11th, the theme will be” Our Native Woodlands.”

Sunday 14th and Friday 26th

Habitat Guided Walks will take place at 2 pm at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre.

Friday 12th and Friday 19th

Atlantic Bog and Coastal Guided Walk will take place at 12 pm at Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail.

Saturday 20th

Jamesie’s Well 10km Loop Guided Walk will take place at 11 am.

The meeting will be at Srahravagh Car Park.

Saturday 13th

The “ Don’t Forget to Write Postcard Making Workshop” will take place at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Creative Curator Ciaran will teach participants how to create holiday postcards using recycled pre-loved materials.

Thursday 25th

Ballycroy Visitor Centre will host an Astronomy Workshop with Caoimhin de Bhaillis at 12 pm and 2 pm.

Saturday 27th

Michael Chambers will tell “Stories from the Mountains” at 2 pm at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre.

Tuesday 30th

The Corncrake Team will set up the event:” Corncrake and Meadow Making” at the Ballycroy Visiror Centre. Talks will be at 12pm and the Meadow Making at 2pm.

Sunday 28th

“Bog Day”, a Guided Walk with Eoin McGreal, will take place in the Nephin Beg Mountains.

The meeting point will be at the Bothy Car Park at 10 am.

August

Thursday 1st August

“STEM in Action” with Seanie Morris, at 12 pm, at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre.

The talk will be a practical introduction to some of the common areas of astronomy.

At 2 pm, participants will build rockets and explore the science and chemistry behind the launch of rockets.

August Kids Clubs

• Our Blanket Bogs on Tuesday 6th August

• Wildflowers and Seed Collecting on Thursday 8th August

• Animals of the Park, on Tuesday 13th August

• Wildflowers of the Bog, on Thursday 15th August

• Life in our Bog Pools on Tuesday 20th August

• Our Native Trees, on Thursday, 22nd August

Sunday 11th

The Jamesie Well Guided Walk will take place

Heritage Week

• Postcard Making Workshop on Saturday 17th August from 11 am to 1 pm at Ballycroy Visitor Centre

• Celebrating Natural Heritage: a guided walk and activities will be held on Sunday, August 18th, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ballycroy Visitor Centre.

• Dancing at the Crossroads with The Boxty on Monday 19th August from 7 pm at the Bothy in Letterkenny.

• Celebrating Old Connections, a short hike along the Bangor Trail followed by fun song and craic at Bangor Erris