Packed slate of free events in Kilkenny for National Biodiversity Week

National Biodiversity Week has taken place over the last 14 years

Published 1st May 2026, 12:00 BST Bernadette Moloney, Biodiversity Officer with Kilkenny County Council National Biodiversity Week has taken place over the last 14 years Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Members of the public are invited to explore the rich variety of wildlife around Kilkenny this May and discover what we can all do to protect and enhance nature as National Biodiversity Week begins from May 15.

This year’s extended programme of free events runs from May 15-24 across Kilkenny and includes a biodiversity talk, a bat walk, block printing workshop, farm and river walks and a not-to-be missed dusk chorus in the enchanting grounds of Kilkenny Castle.

Speaking ahead of National Biodiversity Week in Kilkenny, Biodiversity Officer with Kilkenny County Council, Bernadette Moloney, said: “National Biodiversity Week plays a central role in Ireland’s annual environmental calendar.”

“It translates policy ambition into lived, local experience. There’s a variety of free events running throughout the city and county, allowing people to engage with nature and encounter biodiversity first-hand.”

“I’m particularly excited to see so many community events which are a response to the groundswell of interest in biodiversity. The week allows people to explore different aspects of their locality,” she added.

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Events in Kilkenny include the launch of the Thomastown Biodiversity Action Plan. The plan is under development for the past 12 months under the leadership of the Thomastown Community Network in association with Kilkenny County Council.

Stoneyford Tidy Towns and Stoneyford Development Association are hosting a backyard biodiversity talk with horticulturist Monica Fleming, sharing simple tips for supporting birds, bees and all the wildlife in our back gardens.

Kilkenny Naturalists Field Club in association with Bat Conservation Ireland and the Castlecomer Discovery Park have invited Anna Collins from Bat Conservation Ireland who will provide a talk on bats followed by a walk to observe local bat activity.

Other events of note include a talk by Inland Fisheries Ireland in association with Graiguenamanagh Library about the River Barrow and Nore Vision Citizen Science Training with Una Halpin.

A farm walk with Talamh Beo on Fintan White’s land at Skehana Hill Farm, Freshford is also set to be popular.

Members of the public can also join in a dusk chorus in Kilkenny Castle Park which is hosted by Kilkenny Branch of BirdWatch Ireland in association with the OPW.

National Biodiversity Week is organised by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). A full listing of events can be found on www.biodiversityweek.ie/ .

Related topics: Kilkenny County Council Environment What’s on Kilkenny Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.