Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals
The Heritage Council’s work aligns with a broad spectrum of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognising that heritage conservation and sustainability are deeply interconnected.
National Hedgerow Week is a partnership between Teagasc and The Heritage Council. The week aims to raise awareness of the importance of hedges for agriculture, biodiversity and climate.
When: Friday 29th August to Sunday 7th September 2025
Events are free to attend and are open to all.
The events scheduled for the week are organised by Teagasc, Heritage and Biodiversity Officers in Local Authorities and others. All events are suitable for farmers, contractors and others.
Programme of Events
Friday 29th August
Signpost Series Webinar | 9:30am – 10.30am | online
The webinar will launch National Hedgerow Week. It will cover hedge cutting strategy for farmers and will feature guest speakers Dr. Catherine Keena, Teagasc and Meadhbh Bolger, Heritage Council.
Register for The Signpost Series webinar on Hedgerow Week
Lunchtime Talk | 1pm – 1.45pm | online
The 'Celebrating Hedgerows - Nature's Living Boundaries' webinar, which is being hosted by Limerick City and County Council, will feature a talk from Áine Lynch of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Hedgerows are vital wildlife habitats, especially for woodland flora and fauna. Their diversity in height, width, shape, and species mix supports a rich tapestry of biodiversity. But they’re not just ecological treasures—they’re also protected under Irish law.
Áine will share insights into how legislation supports conservation efforts and what we can all do to protect these living boundaries.
This event is open to all but would be particularly useful for local authority staff, contractors, community groups, students, and the public.
You can join this online talk by clicking on the Teams link here.
(Please download Teams in advance to join)
Saturday 30th August
Farm Hedgerow Walk | 11am – 1pm | Co. Meath
Meath County Council is celebrating National Hedgerow Week at Swainstown Farm in Kilmessan with a public farm walk. Meath County Council's Biodiversity Officer Ben Malone will be joined by Dr Kate Flood, Accredited Hedgelayer Eamonn McLoughlin and Swainstown Farm's Arthur Preston to explore the wealth of wildlife our local hedgerows support, the benefits they provide to our rural landscape, the riches we can harvest from them and how we can manage them sustainably.
Booking is essential. This event is suitable for children aged 7+ and children must be supervised by parents/guardians at all times. Attendees are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear on the day of the event. Booking link: Book a place
Sunday 31st August
Foraging Walk with Wild Food Mary | 10am – 12pm | Co. Offaly
Join us at Syngefield Demesne, Birr for a foraging walk through Syngefield Demesne and along the River Camcor. Email biodiversity@offalycoco.ie for full details.
Sunday 31st August
Foraging Walk with Wild Food Mary | 10am – 12pm | Co. Offaly
Join us at Syngefield Demesne, Birr for a foraging walk through Syngefield Demesne and along the River Camcor. Email biodiversity@offalycoco.ie for full details.
Wednesday 3rd September
Bat Walk in Tullamore | 8:15pm – 10:15pm | Co. Offaly
Come along to learn about our local bats, talk a short, guided walk to see, and hear bats in their natural environment. This is a family friendly event. Email biodiversity@offalycoco.ie for full details.
Thursday 4th September
Hedge Cutting for Contractors | 11am – 2pm | Co. Kilkenny
Join us in Teagasc, Kildalton Agricultural College, Pilltown, Co. Kilkenny, E32 YW08 for a hedge planting and best practice management demonstration of topped hedges and treeline hedges.
Thursday 4th September
Hedgerow Foraging Walk | 4pm and 6pm | Co. Kilkenny
Join Monica Fleming for an informative walk to examine the hedgerow along Dunmore Mass Path. Two walks will be held – at 4pm and at 6pm. To book, text 086 128 7277.
Friday, 5th September
Signpost Series Webinar | 9:30am – 10.30am | online
A webinar for hedge cutting contractors. Francis Quigley, Machinery Specialist, Teagasc will join the webinar to discuss better hedge cutting.
Register for The Signpost Series webinar on Hedgerow Week
Hedge Laying Training | 11:00am – 15:00pm | Monaghan
Join Hedgerows Ireland and Monaghan County Council Biodiversity and Horticulture staff to discover the value of our native hedgerows and learn how to lay and manage a hedge in Friday 5th September in Monaghan town - field gate entrance H18 HY33. Bring lunch, dress for the weather and all welcome.
For more information contact biodiversity@monaghancoco.ie
Saturday 6th September
Guided Hedgerow Walk | 11am | Co. Laois
Join farmer and biodiversity expert Patrick Byrne and Laois County Council Biodiversity Officer Lisa Doyle on a guided hedgerow walk with discussions around seasonal care, rejuvenation and habitat management. Location: R93 W8P4 (Maganey, Laois). No booking required.
Saturday 6th September
Hedgelaying Demonstration and Discussion | 11am – 12:30pm | Co. Offaly
Join professional Hedgelayer Richard Markum as he demonstrates the ancient craft of hedgelaying at Mt Briscoe House, Daingean, Co. Offaly. Event in collaboration with Mt Briscoe HedgeRow Fest
Email biodiversity@offalycoco.ie for full details
Book tickets
Farm and Hedgerow Walk | 2pm – 4pm | Fermanagh
Join Leitrim Biodiversity Officer, Rebeccah Cogan and members of the Leitrim Sustainable Agriculture Group for a farm walk to celebrate National Hedgerows Week 2025. We are visiting a biodiversity rich farm on the shores of Lough Melvin near Garrison, Co. Fermanagh on Saturday 6th September.
Bernard Flanagan has been farming since 1970 on land that has been in his family for over 200 years. He has 40 acres on the shores of Lough Melvin and farms sheep. He has a keen interest in heritage and preserving the past. His farm has rich species meadow grassland and hedgerows.
There are limited spaces available for the field visit so please book your place by contacting Gerry McGourty at 086 3294037 or email gmcgourty@gmail.com.
More info on the exact location of the farm and the outline of the day will be sent to you when you book your place. Lunch will be served also so please tell Gerry if you have any dietary requirements.
