A landmark conference held in Castleconnell has brought together Ireland’s foremost biodiversity experts, citizen scientists, and Tidy Towns volunteers to address the urgent challenges facing the country’s moth and butterfly populations.
Organised by Limerick City and County Council with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service Local Authority Biodiversity Action Fund, the event marked a pivotal moment in national efforts to protect these vital pollinators.
Representatives from key organisations including the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Heritage Council of Ireland, Butterfly Conservation Ireland, Irish Moth Group, Castleconnell Tidy Towns, Limerick Branch of the Irish Wildlife Trust, and dedicated wildlife volunteers gathered to share knowledge, inspire action, and chart a course for conservation.
Ireland’s moths and butterflies are essential to healthy ecosystems, pollinating native plants and serving as a food source for birds and other wildlife. However, their populations are in steep decline due to habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use. Once-common species are vanishing, and without immediate intervention, some may disappear forever.
Presentations
- The Beauty of Butterflies, Jesmond Harding Butterfly Conservation Ireland
- The Compulsive Joy of Moths, Rachel McKenna, Offaly County Council
- National Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, Dr Liam Lysaght, National Biodiversity Data Centre
- Marsh Fritillary Monitoring and Conservation, Chris Peppiatt, National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Grassland Habitats, Maria Long, National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Nature Restoration Regulation – Pollinator Monitoring Needs and Habitat Restoration, Dr Brian Nelson, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Video Presentations
- The Beauty of Butterflies, Jesmond Harding Butterfly Conservation Ireland
- The Compulsive Joy of Moths, Rachel McKenna, Offaly County Council
- National Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, Dr Liam Lysaght, National Biodiversity Data Centre
- Marsh Fritillary Monitoring and Conservation, Chris Peppiatt, National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Grassland Habitats, Maria Long, National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Nature Restoration Regulation – Pollinator Monitoring Needs and Habitat Restoration, Dr Brian Nelson, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Roundtable Discussions
