Done properly, burning gorse is vital for moors and nature
Controlled burns encourage fresh growth for wildlife and can prevent uncontrollable wildfires
Nature
Articles related to nature
David Attenborough wrote me, an annoying child in 1980s Cork, a letter to explain his mistake
Sadly, a letter from a posh man on the BBC - the same one who turns 100 on Friday - was not seen as that big a deal back then
Secret spots for wild swimming in Co Kerry
A father and son trace Ireland’s wildest swims along the Dingle Peninsula, from hidden lakes to Atlantic coves
Is there an Irish river I can drink from without vomiting?
In the 1980s about 500 Irish rivers were classed as the very best of the best but, today, there are about 20
How can I get rid of scutch in my favourite flower bed?
It comes back again with a vengeance whenever I dig it out
They’re brown, hairy and known as woolly bears here in Ireland but don’t panic
Eye on Nature: Eanna Ní Lamhna responds to readers’ queries and observations on the natural world
Coillte, Bord na Móna lands to be handed over under new effort to tackle ‘abysmal’ state of nature in Ireland
National Parks and Wildlife Service best placed to manage lands for nature, says Minister
Dedicated nature fund needed to save Ireland’s remaining wildlife, advisory body says
Committee makes dozens of recommendations for new national Nature Restoration Plan
What is this growth coming from my electric socket in Dublin?
Eye on Nature: Eanna Ní Lamhna responds to readers’ queries and observations on the natural world
The best plants for Irish seaside gardens
Some Irish seaside gardens enjoy a sheltered microclimate, while others must cope with exposure to destructive salty gales
Asparagus season has arrived – here’s how to make the most of it
There’s an easy tip for blanching your spears that will make all the difference
Trade in animals sharpens risk of sharing pathogens with humans
Investment in animal welfare, environmental protection and restoration must continue to be part of public health agenda
Imagine Inishturk with a dozen five‑star resorts: a warning from the Greek islands
Overtourism is overwhelming small islands, hollowing out local life and exposing the absence of any coherent national strategy
I spotted a seabird perched in a tree. Is this a mad Dublin abnormality?
Eye on nature: Eanna Ní Lamhna responds to readers’ queries and observations on the natural world
A Greenland shark is the sort of chap you could go for a pint with
Sligo stranding of creature that can live for 500 years a reminder of how we foolishly imagine ourselves divinely engineered superbeings
Ireland’s hills are victims of policy that hurts farmers and nature
Incentives to do the wrong thing have hindered habitats, wildlife and good farming practice
Buzzy, starry-eyed YA titles argue for the importance of the arts
YA fiction reads for April from Caryl Lewis, Méabh Collins, Derek Landy, Susie Nadler and a debut from Stephen Daly
This Common toad is now considered to be an invasive species
Your notes and queries for Éanna Ní Lamhna
Put in the hard work this month and your garden will flourish come summer
New growth is everywhere in April – here’s what to do in the garden for a glorious summer reward
Reconvened inquiry into Sperrin Mountains gold-mining plan looks to decide 17-year battle
Dalradian Gold wants to mine minerals worth an estimated €30bn in Co Tyrone area of natural beauty
Backyard battle to save hedgehogs is critical as numbers decline
Gardens offer refuge from habitat loss, pesticides and cars – but strimmers and dogs can be deadly
The black guillemot looks completely different at this time of year
Eye on Nature: Your notes and queries for Eanna Ní Lamhna
How flowers revolutionised the world through a riot of colour and scent
David George Haskell has a new book on the flowers that put the rain in rainforests and that challenge the teachings of Darwin
Bombus terrestris is often the earliest queen bee to emerge from overwintering
Your notes and queries for Éanna Ní Lamhna
How to successfully divide plants in spring
The process couldn’t be more straightforward, but timing is crucial and it does require a bit of muscle
Why has the thorny issue of hedgerows surfaced in court?
A case involving illegal removal has proved costly for company and nature
Bull Island is nature’s gift to Dubliners. They haven’t been grateful
Once a haven for wildlife, its famed hares and many birds have disappeared
Grief, anger and lack of trust expressed in community meetings on Nature Restoration Plan
Plan must have clear and enforceable targets, says advisory committee
Being in nature can be deeply restorative – something we all too easily forget
Losing routine contact with the living world results in less concern, less protection and less access. The antidote is evidence that conservation works
‘The wonder never left me’: Photos tell stories of the ocean in an era of warming seas
The Ocean Within is a photographic project exploring fish as living archives of the sea
Strawberry trees forever: Fruits take a year to ripen so are always on the crann caithne
Eye on nature: Eanna Ní Lamhna on red frogs, a white-tailed eagle, curious fungus and a carnivorous invertebrate with 77 pairs of legs
Field Notes from an Extinction by Eoghan Walls: Compelling story of survival and apocalypse
Both humans and birds are the victims of systems and philosophies run amok in this novel about an English scientist studying the last of a dying species
Ecologists are leaving the field as AI moves in
Technology is revolutionising how we gather and assess data on nature, presenting huge benefits and no little irony
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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