Hedgerow Week 2023

How to plant and manage hedges

September 1st - September 8th 2023

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. 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.

Hedgerow Week 2023 flyer (PDF)

Programme of Events

Thursday September 7th

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Teagasc Clonakilty

Guided farm walk to look at best practice in hedgerow planting and management with Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist and hedgerow biodiversity with Sharon Casey, Ecologist with Cork County Council.
Clonakilty Agriculture College, Darrara, Clonakilty Co Cork P85 AX52

'What's in a Hedge?' by Eanna Ni Lamhna and Niall Mac Coitir

6pm - 8pm Celbridge Library, Co Kildare

Talk and Presentation. Numbers are limited, so registration is essential Register for 'What's in a Hedge? Celbridge library here - organised by Kildare County Council

Mass Path Walk, Dunmore

6:45pm Dunmore Church Car Park

Walk with Monica Fleming along the historic mass path in Dunmore where she will introduce you to the autumn fruits of the hedgerows. Meet at Dunmore Church Car Park, Castlecomer Rd, Kilkenny, R95NX08, at 6:45pm. Places are limited, reserve your place by emailing biodiversity@kilkennycoco.ie. This event is organised by the Biodiversity Office of Kilkenny County Council and supported by the National Parks & Wildlife Service under the National Biodiversity Action plan.

Friday September 8th

Signpost Series Webinar

9.30am online

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Curtins Farm, Teagasc Moorepark

Guided farm walk to look at best practice in hedgerow planting and management with Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist and hedgerow biodiversity with Kieran Murphy, Ecologist with Cork County Council.
Teagasc, Curtin's Farm, Moorepark, Co. Cork P61 X727

The Wonder of Hedgerows

11am Clones Library

Learn about hedgerows; the animals that live there, the food they produce and the benefits the the environment that they provide, with Dr. Patricia McCreesh, Biodiversity Officer, Monaghan County Council.
Admission free, booking advised: 047 74712. Clones Library, H23 RW70.

Previous events

Friday September 1st

Signpost Series Webinar

9.30am online

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Kildalton Agricultural College

Saturday September 2nd

Kildare Hedgerow Walk and Talk

11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm

A walk through farmland with laid hedgerows of various ages and states. Also including a laying demonstration. In county Kildare, between Celbridge and Ardclough (exact location given at registration). This event is fully booked - organised by Kildare County Council

Monday September 4th

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Grange Research Centre

Guided farm walk to look at best practice in hedgerow planting and management with Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, machinery demonstration with Francis Quigley, Machinery Specialist, and hedgerow biodiversity with Loretto Guinan, Heritage Officer with Meath County Council. Ruth Wilson, Farmland Officer, All Ireland Pollinator Plan, will also be there to talk about the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and answer your questions.
Teagasc, Grange Research Centre, Dunsany, Co Meath. C15 PW93

In Your Nature Podcast Hedgerow Edition

Special Hedgerow Week edition of the popular “In Your Nature” Podcast featuring Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer with Offaly County Council in conversation with Niall Hatch of BirdWatch Ireland. Ricky and Niall are joined for Hedgerow Week by Ruth Wilson on the topic of hedgerows, their importance for pollinators and other wildlife as well as their functional value on our farms.

Ruth is the Farmland Pollinator Officer (All-Ireland Pollinator Plan) at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, a post is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). “In your Nature” is supported by Laois, Offaly and Westmeath County Councils and the Heritage Council and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.

Listen to In Your Nature podcast online

Tuesday September 5th

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Ballyhaise Agricultural College

Guided farm walk to look at best practice in hedgerow planting and management with Catherine Keena, Teagasc Countryside Management Specialist, machinery demonstration with Francis Quigley, Machinery Specialist, and hedgerow biodiversity with Catherine Casey, Head of Climate Change with the Heritage Council. Ruth Wilson, Farmland Officer, All Ireland Pollinator Plan, will also be there to talk about the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and answer your questions.
Teagasc, Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Ballyhaise Co Cavan H12 E392

'What's in a Hedge?' by Eanna Ni Lamhna and Mary O'Connor

6pm - 8pm Newbridge Library, Co Kildare

Talk and Presentation. Numbers are limited, so registration is essential. Organised by Kildare County Council

Hedgerows; Laying and Wildlife

7pm - 8.30 pm Gragara, Jenkinstown, R95 CR90

Join Nore Vision and master hedge layer Eoin Donnelly for a walk and talk on farm hedgerows in Kilkenny. This event is geared towards farmers and landowners with an interest in hedge maintenance. Please dress for the weather.

Wednesday September 6th

Farm walk and machinery demonstration

11am Teagasc Athenry

Hedgerows of Kilkenny City

1.30pm - 2.30pm

Join Nore Vision for this lunchtime walk to celebrate the hedgerows of Kilkenny City. Meet at the Bishops Meadow Swimming area on the linear walk. The walk is fully accessible and all are welcome.

Harvesting our Hedgerows

6.30pm - 8pm Carrickmacross Library

Join Dr. Patricia McCreesh, Biodiversity Officer Monaghan County Council, and Glennys Pollock, Pollock's Pickls and Preserves, as they demonstrate the huge variety of foods that can be foraged in our hedgerows. From blackberry jam to crab apple jelly and sorrel pesto to elderberry syrup, the possibilities are endless. Spaces are limited, call 042 9661148 to book.

National Hedgerow Week is a partnership between Teagasc and the Heritage Council