'Special' free events that explore all things nature take place in Limerick

FREE events are taking place across Limerick to mark National Heritage Week, with Limerick City and County Council embracing and celebrating all things nature.

The theme of this year’s National Heritage Week is connections, routes, and networks. 

There are four council-led events will explore the many ways we are linked through our heritage – from physical pathways like roads, canals, and trails to cultural ties through family, pastimes, history and traditions. 

On Saturday, August 17, the council will host a biodiversity and environment awareness stand at the Cappamore Show.  

While on Tuesday, August 20, a 'special' nature walk will take place along the route of the ‘Infinity Woodland Path’ in Milford, Castletroy.

Biodiversity talks, poetry and music will feature in this event, inspired by the Little Company of Mary’s planting of 5,000 trees along the ‘Infinity Path’ and the Limerick Diocese aim to provide 30% of church grounds to nature by 2030.  

Biodiversity Officer at Limerick City and County Council, Sinead Mc Donnell said: “National Heritage Week does an exceptional job of binding together in one festival Ireland's built, natural, and cultural heritage. It is a great opportunity to meet Limerick families from all areas of the city and county. 

“The ‘connections to nature and wellbeing’ event will be a particularly special activity.  Poetry and music will feature along with tree and plant identification. This event will also include a visit to the ‘rewilding’ work being undertaken in Milford Parish Grounds.”  

READ MORE: Green Limerick: Single-use cups to be ditched in Adare

On Saturday, August 24, Limerick Council will have a gardening for biodiversity and climate action workshop at Summerville Rovers FC in Ballinacurra.

This workshop will be of particular interest to Tidy Towns Groups, (Wo)Men's Shed Groups and Environmental Groups but is also open to individuals who would like to make a difference.  Prior booking is essential for this event.

Rounding off National Heritage Week in Limerick on Sunday, August 25, will be the council's sustainability tent at the Limerick Show in Limerick racecourse, Patrickswell.  

Meet members of the Council’s Environment Team along with representatives from Bat Rehabilitation Ireland, The Limerick Bat Group, The Barn Owl Project, Doon Social Farm, The Urban Coop, Ballyhoura Development, West Limerick Resources, Paul Partnership and more.   

Details of more than thirty National Heritage Week 2024 events across Limerick can be found at National Heritage Week 2024 | Limerick.ie. 

Environment Awareness Office at Limerick City and County Council, Helen Kenneally added: “The county shows are a great opportunity to meet the general public and share environmental messages such as reuse, preventing waste, managing waste correctly and the circular economy. 

“I look forward to meeting citizens from across Limerick during National Heritage Week at the Cappamore and Limerick Shows”. 

Co-ordinated by the Heritage Council, National Heritage Week has become one of Ireland’s largest cultural events.