General Public Events 2014
Prebooking required for all events with Eleanor Reade ereade@wit.ie 051 302037.
The Bealtaine Festival for Outdoor Science is a partnership of groups interested in Celebrating our Living Earth in the Southeast of Ireland and is coordinated by Calmast. Waterford IT through Calmast offers a wide range of science, technology, engineering and maths programmes for schools in the Southeast, attracting over 12,000 visitors to four annual festivals: Maths Week Ireland, Robert Boyle Science Week, The Robert Boyle Summer School, Waterford Engineering Week and Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science.
The following events are all FREE and are suitable for families and members of the general public. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
| Venue | Activity & Audience | Presenter | Date | Times | Directions to Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prospect Lodge, Bilberry Rock |
The Bilberry Goat An on-site talk discussing the preservation, history and conservation of the unique Bilberry Goat Herd. |
Martin Doyle, Bilberry Goat Herd Keeper http://www.discoverireland.ie/Activities-Adventure/bilberry-goat-herd-waterford/77140 |
Sunday 18th May | 12:00-13:00 |
Meeting point is House on top of Bilberry Road/Rock, Prospect Lodge: 59 Gracedieu Road |
|
| Kilfarrasy Strand, Co Waterford |
Seaweed Gardening A guided beach walk, exploring edible seaweeds and Irish wildlife with author of "The Sea Garden: A Guide to Seaweed Cookery and Foraging," Marie Power. |
Marie Power, Irish Wildlife Trust |
Sunday 18th May | 14:00-15:30 |
Meet in Kilfarrasy Strand Car Park Google Maps Link |
|
| JFK Arboretum |
Red Trail Guided Walk of JFK Arboretum A guided walk through the red trail at JFK Arboretum. This will introduce participants to the trees and wildlife found here. |
Staff at JFK Arboretum |
Sunday 18th May | 15:00-16:00 | Meet at JFK Arboretum Visitor Centre | |
| People's Park Waterford |
Dusk Chorus Walk A dusk walk with author and broadcaster Eric Dempsey. Eric is well known from the Mooney Show and for his books about the birds of Ireland. He will introduce participants to some of the common birds in the People's Park and help participants to learn to identify them through their calls. |
Eric Dempsey, Author & Broadcast Journalist |
Sunday 18th May | 20:00-21:30 | Meet at the Bandstand in the centre of the park. | |
| Waterford IT Auditorium |
Ireland's Native Reptiles & Amphibians A talk detailing Ireland's native reptiles, frogs and newts. This talk will introduce "citizen science" and show how the general public can get involved with exciting science projects. |
Robert O Sullivan, The Herpetological Society of Ireland |
Monday 19th May | 19:00-20:00 | Meet in WIT Cork Road Campus Atrium/Reception Area. Signs will direct to auditorium. | |
| Ardkeen Library |
Grow it Yourself An introductory talk showcasing the blossoming GIY International organisation which traces its roots to Waterford Libraries. Learn about sustainable horticulture. |
Staff at GIY International |
Tuesday 20th May | 18:30-19:30 | Meet in library above Ardkeen Stores, Dunmore Road, Waterford | |
| JFK Arboretum, New Ross | Guided Walk of JFK Arboretum |
Staff at JFK Arboretum, OPW |
Wednesday 21st May | 15:00-16:00 | Meet at JFK Arboretum Visitor Centre | |
| Fenor Bog |
Fenor Bog Evening Walk An interactive evening walk for the public exploring the history and diverse wildlife at this important site. |
Alan Walshe, Copper Coast Geopark |
Wednesday 21st May | 19:00-20:30 |
Meet in Fenor Bog Car Park, near base of Ballyscanlon Hill, Fenor Village |
|
| Tourin House, Cappoquin |
Guided Tour of Tourin House This beautiful house and walled garden built in 1840 will be open to the public for an evening tour of the interior and diverse gardens. Please book in advance. Places are limited. |
Kristin Jameson |
Wednesday 21st May | 19:00-20:00 |
|
|
| Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre |
Tales of Giants from Shandon Cave Illustrated talk on the discovery of prehistoric animal bones at Shandon Cave, Dungarvan by Dr Matthew Parkes, Natural History Museum and author of "Corrie, Caves and Coast: The Geological Heritage of Ireland." |
Dr Matthew Parkes, National Museum of Ireland Bernadette Guest, Waterford County Council |
Wednesday 21st May | 19:30-20:30 | Talk is upstairs in the Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre | |
| Copper Coast, Geopark Visitor Centre, Bonmahon, Co Waterford |
From a Rock to a Diamond An introduction to geology and minerals covering rock formation, economic use of minerals and gems. What makes some minerals so precious and how can we distinguish them from fakes? Various minerals and gems will be on display. |
Tina Keating, Copper Coast Geopark |
Thursday 22nd May | 19:30-21:30 | Located in old church in Bonmahon Village, this is now the Geopark Visitor Centre | |
| Colligan Woods, Dungarvan |
Woodland Mammal Walk A walk in Colligan woods, hosted by Mammals in a Sustainable Environment Project (MISE). Join experienced mammal experts exploring for signs of red squirrels, pine martens, otters, stoats and bats.
|
Andrew Harrington, Waterford County Council Denise O Meara, MISE, WIT |
Thursday 22nd May | 20:00-22:00 | From Dungarvan, take the R672 road to Clonmel. Continue past the main road turning off for Cappoquin at Master McGrath and turn off to continue on the R672. About 1.5 km from this crossroads, there is a turn-off onto a local road to the right, signposted for Colligan Wood. About 1 km down this road you will see the main car park for Colligan Wood on the left side of the road. | |
| Waterford IT |
Botanical Drawing Workshop Learn the basics of botanical drawing of flowers and plants with experienced and noted botanical artist Lynn Stringer. Some materials will be provided, bring preferred pencils, etc. |
Lynn Stringer |
Saturday 24th May | 13:00-15:00 | Meet in WIT Cork Road Main Atrium/Reception. Signs will direct to botanical drawing event. | |
| Annestown Shore |
Giant Mosaic Making Help construct a giant mosaic on Annestown Shore using natural materials found on the beach with artist Sinead Driver and Tina Keating, Geologist. |
Sinead Driver & Tina Keating, Copper Coast Geopark |
Sunday 25th May | 10:00-14:00 |
Meet at Annestown Shore Car Park Google Maps Link |
|
| JFK Arboretum |
Guided Walk of JFK Arboretum Explore the surroundings of JFK Arboretum with an experienced guide and learn about this important park. |
Staff at JFK Arboretum |
Sunday 25th May | 15:00-16:00 | Meet at JFK Arboretum Visitor Centre |
