Running from Friday 15th to Sunday 24th May, this year’s programme – made possible through partnerships with wildlife groups and individuals across Sligo – invites people of all ages to explore, learn about, and help protect Sligo’s unique wildlife and habitats.

From whale watching off Mullaghmore to a dawn chorus in Riverstown, bat walks, nature trails, and expert talks on topics ranging from Ireland’s eagles to the Greenland shark – the world’s longest-living known vertebrate – and a recent visitor to Finisklin!

 

Opening Weekend – 15–17 May

The week opens on Friday 15th May with a special event: An Ancient Visitor: The Greenland Shark in Sligo, hosted at the National Surf Centre, Strandhill. Refreshments are available from 6pm, with proceedings beginning at 7pm sharp. On Saturday morning, early risers are invited to a Dawn Chorus and Sunrise Gathering in Riverstown, while a Leave No Trace Awareness Course runs in south Sligo for those wishing to develop their outdoor skills. Sunday offers a choice of a Biodiversity Field Trip along the Devil’s Chimney trail in Glencar or an Aquatic Safari in Ballymote.

 

Midweek – 19–22 May

Midweek highlights include Exploring Ireland’s Bats at Sligo Central Library and a Ballymote Bat Walk – a fascinating insight into these marvellous mammals, and a river walk along the River Duff. Community and sustainability take centre stage with the Garden-to-Garden Cycle from Cranmore Community Garden and Strandhill’s Future Coast workshop, which examines coastal adaptation in the face of climate change. Sligo County Council's annual Biodiversity Week talk, in partnership with the Sligo branch of BirdWatch Ireland, will be delivered by the Golden Eagle Trust at the Radisson Hotel.

 

Closing Weekend – 23–24 May

On Saturday 23^rd, the annual Biodiversity Bioblitz – a highlight of the week – brings together ecologists, wildlife enthusiasts and members of the public to record as many species as possible within a set time, at Kilglass House & Gardens and nearby Enniscrone Beach.

Saturday’s programme also includes a Bunduff River Walk, a Biodiversity Walk at Tattie Hoaker Farm and the annual Whale Watch Ireland 2026 at Mullaghmore Head. The week draws to a close with a Crann Woodland Walk at Longford Demesne in Beltra on Sunday 24^th May – as we wind down from ten days of discovery.

 

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr. Dónal Gilroy said: 

"Biodiversity Week is the perfect time to go outside and enjoy nature, in the company of Sligo's wealth of experts and enthusiasts, who work tirelessly across the county to protect its habitats, from the sea to the uplands."

Speaking ahead of the week, Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council said: 

“Sligo Biodiversity Week highlights the extraordinary natural heritage of our county and reminds us how important it is to work together to protect it. These diverse events bring an opportunity to connect with nature and better understand the biodiversity around us.”

Sligo Biodiversity Officer Ruth Hanniffy added: 

"We know that spending time in nature is good for us and reduces our stress levels. Biodiversity Week is a chance to explore this further – to bring the magic of biodiversity into our lives, and discover the extraordinary wildlife Sligo is home to."

All events are free, though some require advance booking. Full details are available at facebook.com/sligoheritageoffice. A full listing of national events can be found at biodiversityweek.ie.

National Biodiversity Week is organised by the Irish Environmental Network and the Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Network, and is supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

 

2026 Events

Friday 15^th May — Launch Night!

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Dónal Gilroy will launch National Biodiversity Week with a special event: 'An Ancient Visitor: The Greenland Shark in Sligo', by Dr. Monica Sullivan at the National Surf Centre, Strandhill. Refreshments are available from 6pm and proceedings will start at 7pm sharp. Please note this event is booked out.

Contact: Ruth Hanniffy (087 792 7576)

 

Saturday 16^th — Dawn chorus & Outdoor Explorers

On Saturday morning, early risers are invited to a Dawn Chorus and Sunrise Gathering in Riverstown Community Garden at 4:45am.

Martina Killian from Nature Inspires will run a Leave No Trace Awareness Course in Cloonacool from 10:30am–4pm. This training is for anyone who loves to be out in nature, and wants to learn about being responsible when outdoors. Lunch included.

Address: Corsallagh, Cloonacool, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, F91WP8.

Contact Martina Kilian (0872403005) to reserve your place.

 

Sunday 17^th – Devil’s Chimney & Aquatic Safari

Explore the beautiful Devil’s Chimney trail in Glencar with a Biodiversity Field Trip from 10–12pm. This event is led by Fiona Magennis (087 3211 877)

LAWPRO and Ballymote Tidy Towns dive into the world of water bugs with an Aquatic Safari from 3–4:30pm. Meet at Margaret Gormley Memorial Park.

Contact: Katie Neary (0861992799)

 

Wednesday 20^th May — Bats, Squirrels, and Pine Martens

Join Mary Roberts for an engaging lunchtime talk, Exploring Ireland's Bats, at Sligo Central Library from 12.30–1.30pm.

The National Surf Centre will host Strandhill's Future Coast Exhibition running all day from 11am–6pm (also open Thursday), as part of the Coastal Mapping and Adaptation Planning project, supported by PEACEPLUS.

Later that evening, jump online from 7-8pm to learn about the fascinating All-Ireland Squirrel & Pine Marten Survey, booking link HERE).

Finally, Sligo Biodiversity Officer will join Bat Conservation Ireland for more bat activity – a guided bat walk along Ballymote Castle and parklands. Meet at Ballymote Train Station at 9pm. Contact: Ruth Hanniffy (0877927576)

 

Thursday 21^st May — Coast, Cycles & Conservation

Help shape the future of Strandhill’s coastline with The Strandhill's Future Coast Workshop at the National Surf Centre, looking at climate change and coastal change. The workshop runs from 5.30–7.30pm, reserve your place HERE.

Cycling enthusiasts can join the Garden-to-Garden Cycle from 6-8pm departing from Cranmore Community Garden (F91XCWO). Email Joan Swift sligocycles@gmail.com to register.

Sligo County Council's annual Biodiversity Week talk, in partnership with the Sligo branch of BirdWatch Ireland, takes place at the Radisson Hotel at 8pm. We look forward to welcoming Allan Mee from the Golden Eagle Trust for Restoring Flagship Bird Species from the Americas to Ireland.

 

Friday 22^nd May — Rivers and Reptiles

Enjoy an evening walk along the Leitrim/Sligo border on the Bunduff River Walk with Arboriculturist Shailagh Healy from 5–6.30pm, led by Leitrim County Council. Limited parking is available in the trail head car park but please note that this is on a busy stretch of the N15.

Then head to Carraroe Community Centre for Slime, Scales & Salamanders from 7–8pm, a captivating evening celebrating Ireland's amphibians and reptiles. Register HERE.

 

Saturday 23^rd May —Bioblitz & Beyond

Sligo County Council in partnership with Woodrow and wildlife educator Daithí Lavelle, will lead the annual Biodiversity Bioblitz at Kilglass House & Gardens and Ennicrone Beach! Join us for a fascinating day of wildlife spotting and recording from 12pm to 11pm, with moth trapping, small mammal surveys, plant ID, aquatic life exploration, a coastal walk, bat walk, tree walk, and much more. All volunteers and enthusiasts are welcome, see attached poster for the full schedule. Contact: SligoBioblitz@gmail.com

Enjoy a beautiful Biodiversity Walk at Tattie Hoaker Farm, an Organic Community Farm in Creevykeel, Cliffoney (F91 Y898) from 2–4pm. Tickets are available HERE.

In Sligo Town, artist Leonora Neary shares her film, ‘by water’, at the Factory Performance Space. Combining film footage and the artist’s own musical composition, this piece explores the beauty and wonder of Lough Arrow in south county Sligo. The film will screen for 15 mins between 2pm–5pm (running every 30 mins). Contact: leonoraneary@yahoo.co.uk

Whale Watch Ireland’s annual event takes place at Mullaghmore Head from 5–7pm. This is the 24^th year of this national whale watch with the Irish Whale and Dolphin group, and an opportunity to spot and learn about the spectacular wildlife of Donegal Bay.

 

Sunday 24^th May — A Woodland Farewell

The final event of the week takes place at the beautiful Longford Demesne in Beltra. Crann will lead a Guided Woodland Walk from 2.30–5pm highlighting the woodland’s significant biodiversity. Tickets are available HERE.