Laois Biodiversity Week is back from May 16th to May 25th, and a wide array of wonderful wildlife events will be taking place across the week.

Hosted by Laois County Council in collaboration with the Heritage Council, this week-long celebration is packed with free events for all ages—from bat walks to nature photography, from films to riverside strolls. Whether you are a nature enthusiast or just curious about the world around you, there is something for everyone.

“Biodiversity Week is about opening the door to nature for everyone – whether that’s through a walk, a workshop, or a film," said Lisa Doyle, Biodiversity Officer with Laois County Council.

Pictured: A Laois County Council Biodiversity Week event in 2024

"These events are a reminder that biodiversity is not something remote or abstract; it’s all around us, and it depends on us to thrive.”

All events are free of charge, but booking may be needed for some due to limited spaces. To view the events see biodiversityweek.ie and email to book: biodiversity@laoiscoco.ie.

See the full list of events below:

FRIDAY MAY 16

Dusk chorus at Abbeyleix bog

SATURDAY MAY 17

The Longest Malin to Mizen in Dunamaise Arts Centre

Portlaoise Bat Walk

An event for both adults and children. Learn about bats with activities for children. Discover the secret lives of bats on an evening stroll in People's Park, Portlaoise with Bat Conservation Ireland. Brought to you in collaboration with Laois County Council and the Heritage Council.

Attendees are asked to bring Hi-vis, Torch, sturdy footwear. Children must be supervised.

Meeting at Laois Partnership, R32 VY22 on Saturday, May 17 9.00 pm.

SUNDAY MAY 18

Nature photography with Rossa Bracken

Bring your camera and join photographer Rossa Bracken for a fantastic morning of nature photography.

Meeting at Richard Duff's Bird Hides, Ballyfin, R32 FFDO, from 9am to 11am.

Richard Duff's hides provide a perfect opportunity to see wildlife like this.

The participants will get to use professional cameras and learn basic camera skills.

Pictured: Stunning photography from Rossa Bracken

TUESDAY MAY 20

Ballyfin Dawn Chorus

Wake up with the birds and experience the magic of morning melodies at Irish Photography Bird Hides
at Richard Duff's Bird Hides Ballyfin, R32 FFDO Tuesday, May 20 at 5.30am.

WEDNESDAY MAY 21

Nature and Bees workshop

THURSDAY MAY 22

Biodiversity in Business workshop

Kyra and team are delighted to give local SMEs a tour of the glamping sites, highlighting how we have embraced sustainability & biodiversity into our business.

Kyra and team and created habitats to enhance soil and pollinators, while running a successful glamping business
at Glamping Under the Stars, Cullenagh, R32 WP7V Thursday May 22 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm.
To book email: biodiversity@laoiscoco.ie.

Read next: Luxury Laois glampsite wins prestigious Tripadvisor award

The walk will include a trip through a wildflower meadows with information & examples of the wild plants, explaining meadow management & impact on everything from soil health to insect life, animal life, & bird life. 

Kyra will highlight the various ways she have taken steps to maximise re-wilding & habitat creation wherever possible – adding hundreds of native trees, creating untouched ‘wild’ areas, and grass roofs, and a large biodiversity pond, etc.

Pictured: Glamping Under the Stars' grounds

The team will share the story of the difference it has made to the immediate environment & the range of flourishing species on the site – from unusual insect life to bird life, amphibians, and small mammals from shrews & dormice to hares, foxes, squirrels, bats & pine marten.

The team will explain why this is important for business, branding, and guests, and perhaps give some inspiration to other businesses to look for ways to incorporate biodiversity into their own businesses.

There is an eco-friendly/low intensity ‘warre’ hive for their own interest and attendees will be offered a taste of the small batch of honey harvested from the hive.

Water Quality Sampling- the river Erkina

Maura and team will show you how to carry out river water quality sampling by looking at the invertebrates in the water. The numbers and types of invertebrates can determine the health of the river system.

Taking place at Bob's bar Durrow, R32 YY38 Thursday, May 22 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm.

FRIDAY MAY 23

Moth trapping and farm walk at Ballykilcavan

The Biodiversity walk at Ballykilcavan Farm will take in some of the natural and installed features on the farm that conserve and promote biodiversity.

David is one of the farmers taking part in the National Biodiversity Data Centre’s moth survey in 2025, and will have a moth trap to open to see what species are present (all moths will be released unharmed).

Pictured: A tour of Ballykilcavan Farm for Heritage Week, 2024

The walk will also take in the wildflower areas, wild grass areas, red squirrel feeders and pollinator habitats, and David will talk about land management and barn owl boxes.

Meeting at 8:30am at the visitor centre at Ballykilcavan, the event will run until 10am. The event is fully outdoors, so please dress appropriately.

SATURDAY MAY 24

Bat walk at Dunmore Woods

An event for both adults and children. Learn about bats with activities for children on Saturday 24 May from 9.30pm to 10.30pm.

Discover the secret lives of bats on an evening stroll with Bat Conservation Ireland. Brought to you in collaboration with Laois County Council and the Heritage Council.

Attendees are asked to bring Hi-vis, Torch, sturdy footwear. Children must be supervised.

SUNDAY MAY 25

Nature and Heritage farm walk in Cullahill

Take a guided walk through farmland and wild habitats in Cullahill, with spectacular views from 2:30pm to 4:30 pm at Bunlackan Brew (R32 T9T2).

Coffee and Tea provided.