Sligo County Council is delighted to present National Biodiversity Week 2026, a ten-day celebration of the county’s remarkable natural heritage. 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 (see posters for details).
📅 EVENTS BY DAY, all booking links included.
Friday 15th May — Launch Night!
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Donal 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 now booked out.
Contact: Ruth Hanniffy (0877927576)
Saturday 16th — 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 17th – 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 20th 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 21st 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 22nd 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 23rd 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 24th 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 24th May — A Woodland Walk
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.
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For more information see https://biodiversityweek.ie/ or facebook.com/sligoheritageoffice
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn something new, and celebrate the incredible biodiversity right on our doorstep. We hope to see you there!
