Pictured at the launch of an ecological study of Inishfree Upper and Inishmeane in October 2010 are (from left to right): Ralph Sheppard (co-author of the report), Éanna Ní Lamhna and John Wann, Aulino Wann & Associates (co-author of the report)
A pilot ecological study of two Donegal islands (Inishfree Upper & Inishmeane) was launched by Éanna Ní Lamhna in Ionad Teampall Chróine, Chapel Road, Dungloe on Saturday, October 23, 2010 as part of the Peadar O’Donnell Weekend. The study was commissioned by the County Donegal Heritage Forum and the County Donegal Heritage Office, Cultural Services, Donegal County Council as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan and undertaken by Aulino Wann & Associates and Gaia Associates.
The aims of the study were to: identify and list the fauna and flora on Inishfree Upper and Inishmeane; describe and map the wildlife habitats present; raise awareness of biodiversity; and make recommendations regarding the management and conservation of flora, fauna and wildlife habitats on the two islands while considering human settlement requirements. The launch included an illustrated presentation entitled ‘Island Wildlife: a pilot survey of biodiversity on Inishfree Upper & Inishmeane’ by ecologists John Wann (Aulino Wann & Associates) and Ralph Sheppard (Gaia Associates), the authors of the study.
Éanna Ní Lamhna (botanist, entomologist and author) has one of the most instantly recognisable voices on Irish radio through her work on the ‘Mooney’ programme on RTÉ Radio 1. Originally from County Louth, Éanna has a degree in Botany and Mircobiology and a Higher Diploma in Education from University College Dublin. Her books include Talking Wild (2002), Wild and Wonderful (2004), Straight Talking Wild (2006) and Wild Things at School: a book for primary school teachers (2009). Éanna was responsible for much of the ground-breaking species distribution mapping carried out by An Foras Forbartha in the early 1970s and is a past president of An Taisce.
The ‘Pilot Ecological Study of Two Donegal Islands: Inishfree Upper & Inishmeane’ was funded by Donegal County Council and The Heritage Council as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
Ecological Study of Inishfree Upper & Inishmeane (Report)
An Action of the County Donegal Heritage Plan
