World Wetlands Day 2025
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February 2nd to raise awareness about the vital importance of wetlands.
In Ireland, World Wetlands Day is coordinated by the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee, established by the Government in November 2010 to help Ireland meet its commitments as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention. The committee works to safeguard wetlands, foster appreciation and understanding of these ecosystems, and promote the implementation of the Ramsar Convention.
The theme for 2025 is “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” which highlights the crucial role of wetlands in ensuring a sustainable future for all.
As the coordinator of the Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Programme, which oversees the appointment of Biodiversity Officers in every local authority nationwide, we are proud to showcase some of the exciting events planned by Biodiversity Officers to celebrate World Wetlands Day 2025 below.
For a full list of events happening across Ireland for World Wetlands Day 2025, visit the Irish Ramsar Committee's World Wetlands Day Events Calendar
Carlow/Kilkenny
Carlow and Kilkenny Biodiversity Officers are jointly running a radio advert on Kilkenny Carlow Local Radio- KCLR.
Listen to the World Wetlands Day radio advert
Clare
World Wetlands Day Event
Tuesday 4th February 7:00-8:30pm
The Civic Room, Buttermark Building, Drumbiggle Road, Ennis, V95 RR72
Join us for the launch of the Clare Wetland Storymap, our new wetland guidelines for communities and land owners and hear about the findings of the Clare Wetland Field Survey 2024
Cork
Guide in the Hide - Burrow Dyke Hide, Harpers Island Wetlands, Glounthaune, Cork
Sunday 2nd of February 10am-1:00pm
Location: 51.910683884747215, -8.31526515153346
Event Led by Jim Wilson info@harpersislandwetlands.ie
To celebrate World Wetlands Day, why join expert volunteers in the Borrow Dyke Hide at Harper’s Island Wetlands for a birdwatching session. You will have a chance to learn about the wetlands and the birds that rely on them. See the birds through one of our telescopes and get some tips on bird identification, binoculars, telescopes and ID Guide Books too.
Galway
"Celebrating World Wetlands Day through Music and Film"
Connemara National Park, Saturday 1st February at 5:30pm
Celebrate World Wetlands Day with a special music and film event! Join us in the AV Room at Connemara National Park. Enjoy a performance by Galway's ConTempo Quartet and the premiere of a new short film by BirdWatch Ireland. Admission is free
This event is a joint collaboration between NPWS, BirdWatch Ireland, The Heritage Council, Galway County Council and Galway Music Residency.
Kildare
"Wetland Birds"- A Talk by John Kennedy, Birdwatch Ireland
Naas Library and Cultural Centre, Tuesday 4th of February at 7:00pm (Tea/Coffee from 6:30pm)
Join John Kennedy, Scientific Officer on the Irish Wetland Bird Survey for a talk on the recording and analysis of bird population trends and how we can play our part in saving species on the brink.
Queries by email biodiversity@kildarecoco.ie
Kilkenny
An Outing to Newpark Marsh
Saturday 1st February at 10:00am
Join Kilkenny branch of Birdwatch Ireland for an outing to Newpark Marsh
The Newpark Marsh Eco-Park is an award-winning game and bird sanctuary, and one of Kilkenny City’s most important natural habitats.
Covering an area of 9.7 hectares (23.7 acres), this multi-award-winning game and bird sanctuary and amenity area is well maintained and offers unique opportunities to view many different species of birds as well as a wide range of fauna.
birdwatchkilkenny@gmail.com or patandmarydurkin@gmail.com 056 776 2130. Also listen to KCLR or Kilkenny City Community Radio for details.
Limerick
Outing to Westfields to celebrate World Wetlands Day
Sunday 2nd February 10am-11.30am.
Please book your place on the Eventbrite page
Westfields gives an excellent opportunity to view wintering wildfowl and to learn about the importance of wetlands. Although we can never gaurantee what birds will be there on the day we hope to see Coot and Moorhen and Tufted Duck, the resident mute swans, heron and balckheaded gulls along with a possibility of Pochard, Gadwall, little Grebes and others. Westfields is a central location to view wintering wildfowl.
Tom Tarpey from the Limerick Branch of BirdWatch Ireland will lead the outing. Please dress appropriately for the weather, waterproofs, hats, sensible footwear etc.
Coot/Fluica atra/ Cearc cheannann: Photo by Sean Reidy Limerick Branch of BirdWatch Ireland from the Limerick Branches Facebook Page
Louth
"Wintering Waterbirds"
Castletown Estuary, Dundalk, Sunday 2nd February, 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
Meeting point-the carpark at George’s Quay, Dundalk Port at 1.30pm
Join Derek Watters from the BirdWatch Louth Branch this World Wetlands Day for a guided birdwatching walk along the banks of the lower reaches of the Castletown Estuary, Dundalk Bay. Waterbirds are an important indicator of the health of our wetlands.
This looped walk along the lower reaches of the Castletown Estuary is approximately 2.5km long. Please dress appropriately for the winter weather conditions, with suitable footwear and warm protective clothing. There will be a small number of binoculars available on the day but please bring your own binoculars or telescopes if you have your own.
This is a family event suitable for adults and children aged 7+. Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
Please note: This event is weather dependent and may have to be rescheduled if it is very cold, wet or windy.
Meath
Catchment Conservation on the Banks of the River Nanny, Co. Meath
Date: 1st Feburary
Location: Sonairte Eco Centre, Laytown, Co. Meath, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Refreshments served from 2pm. Free Indoor and Outdoor event
Illustrated talks and discussion from Meath County Council Biodiversity Officer, a local historian, the Rivers Trust, LAWPRO & volunteers from Eco-Centre Sonairte followed by a short ramble along a woodland trail to the edge of the Nanny estuary. Participants will be able to view a small patch of the invasive alien plant species Spartina which local volunteers have been attempting to manage/eradicate.
Appropriate sturdy footwear is recommended along with warm waterproof clothing.
Monaghan
Monaghan’s Wonderful Wetlands
Carrickmacross Library, 5th of February at 6:00pm
The event will see the launch of new wetland guidelines aimed at community groups and landowners called ‘Community Action: A Beginner’s Guide to Wetlands’ . This booklet was developed in conjunction with the Community Wetlands Forum, Clare County Council and Monaghan County Council. It is aimed at community groups and landowners to encourage the promotion of wetlands in their local area, or to help those who wish to embark on a wetland conservation project.
Speakers will include Dr Patricia McCreesh Biodiversity Officer with Monaghan County Council and Eoghan Connaughton of LAWPRO. This event is aimed at communities and landowners undertaking biodiversity actions on wetlands in their locality and as an educational resource.
Offaly
"Wintering birds on the Shannon Callows" with Brian Caffrey of BirdWatch Ireland
Saturday the 1st of February -10am to 12pm
Meet at Crank House Car Park, Banagher, Co.Offaly, R42 DE61
Join Brian Caffrey of BirdWatch Ireland to observe wintering waterbirds, including, waders, ducks, swans and egrets at sites along the iconic Shannon Callows close to Banagher.
The event is free of charge and please dress for the weather!
Contact: biodiversity@offalycoco.ie
Westmeath
Wetlands and Human Wellbeing
Lough Ennell Westmeath, Saturday 1st February 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm
Meeting point: Lilliput Car Park N91 W97W
To celebrate World Wetlands Day with us, to raise awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet.
The walk and talk will be led by two local experts – George Smith (Botanist) and Gordon Wycherley (Birdwatch Westmeath).
Lough Ennell is an important site for nature conservation in Westmeath and is designated a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar Site. Lough Ennell is a haven for wildlife and the lake and fringing wetland habitats support a great biodiversity.
The walk will take 2 hours depending on the weather and you should dress appropriately for conditions! Walk distances will be short and the walking will not be strenuous, but if feasible, we may venture off it and you should wear suitable waterproofs and footwear!
Wexford
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve Wetlands Celebration
Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, Sunday 2nd of February at 11am
Join us to celebrate World Wetlands Day at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve on Sunday 2nd February from 11am. We will be celebrating World Wetlands Day down at the Reserve with local wildlife artist Dave Daly. Dave will be leading an informal chat and birdwatch at 11am and then again at 2pm. As spaces in the observation tower are limited, if you wish to join one of the groups we would ask that you phone the Centre on 01 5393460, email wwreducation@npws.gov.ie or DM us.
There’s no charge and it will be first come, first served Also in the Visitor Centre we will have information on World Wetlands Day and the animals that live in the wetlands, as well as a sample of some of the creatures to be found in the water around the Reserve. Organised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and by Wexford County Council Biodiversity Office.
For a full list of events happening for World Wetlands Day 2025 check out the Irish Ramsar Committee's World Wetlands Day Events Calendar