Woodland bats, invasive species and dunes at Killaspugbrone among Sligo projects backed by Local Biodiversity Action Fund

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The recently held National Biodiversity Week showcased Sligo’s spectacular natural world, with events drawing people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience from across County Sligo.

The week opened at the National Surf Centre, where Dr Monica Sullivan delivered a captivating talk on the Greenland shark — the world’s oldest known living vertebrate — following the remarkable discovery of a specimen at Finisklin.

Over the course of the week, a rich and varied programme brought biodiversity to life across the county: a dawn chorus in Riverstown, bats echolocating overhead in Ballymote, bottlenose dolphins displaying during the whale watch in Mullaghmore, opportunities to explore an organic farm at Tattie Hoaker and native woodland at Longford Demesne, hundreds of species recorded during the BioBlitz at Kilglass and Enniscrone, and talks on white-tailed eagles, amphibians and reptiles.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dónal Gilroy said, “It was an honour to launch Biodiversity Week at the National Surf Centre, with a superb and engaging talk on the Greenland shark. This set the tone for a week of fascinating events attended by engaged and enthusiastic people, and highlighted how much Sligo’s biodiversity is appreciated.”

Biodiversity Week also marked a significant milestone for conservation in the county, as Minister Chris O’Sullivan announced Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) grants from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage. Administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in support of Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023–2030, the LBAF saw €3 million allocated nationally in 2026. Sligo has been awarded over €96,000, funding a wide range of projects including woodland bat surveys in partnership with Bat Conservation Ireland; invasive alien species management and training; biodiversity events and awareness-raising for communities; training to continue building biodiversity expertise within Sligo County Council; a County Sligo grassland survey; and progression of the Dune Management Plan for Killaspugbrone.

The fund also enables a second year of the Hare’s Corner project in County Sligo in partnership with BurrenBeo Trust. This project supports households, communities, schools and landowners to take direct action for nature — planting native trees, creating ponds, establishing hedgerows and orchards, and developing individual Plans for Nature.

Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Martin Lydon welcomed the funding, saying: “The Local Biodiversity Action Fund enables Sligo County Council to undertake projects, deliver training and carry out key activities for communities and within our own departments.”.

Sligo Biodiversity Officer Ruth Hanniffy added: “Biodiversity Week takes place at a very special time of year, when our countryside is bursting into life. It is a vital opportunity to raise awareness of how we can protect nature and fully appreciate its importance in our lives, supporting our own health and that of our air, water and soils. We welcome this year’s LBAF funding to deliver conservation actions, and continue to build on the work of previous years.”

The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage through the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

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

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.