Heritage News and Events 28th Feb

News:

NPWS offering grants for small recording projects  The primary aim of these grants is to support and encourage the current network of naturalists recording in Ireland and to develop the next generation of specialist recorders. Grants are aimed at volunteer, unpaid recorders, or groups, societies and associations of recorders who have limited/no access to financial supports for their work. This is the fifth year of the grant scheme and so far it has supported over 70 projects run by individuals and groups. Grants have covered the entire range of Irish natural history including site recording of biological groups (e.g. moths, other terrestrial invertebrates, bats, plants, marine organisms), support for publications and updating of web sites, and support to purchase specialist survey equipment. Applications are being sought from the recording community for Irish natural history-related projects.  The deadline for applications is 5pm on 31st March. See the Application Form  and  for further details: https://www.npws.ie/news/npws-grants-small-recording-projects-2023?s=08

The latest issue of the Walled Town Crier e-zine is now available. Featuring Fore, Co. Westmeath and more! E-zine available at the following link:The Walled Town Crier Issue 14 - Irish Walled Towns Network

Westmeath County Council is now inviting applications for the Cemetery Grant Scheme to assist community groups in the management and maintenance of local cemeteries. Application Forms and further information are available on: www.westmeathcoco.ie  or email: environment@westmeathcoco.ie. Closing date for completed applications is Monday 13th March. If you have a query regarding a project in an historic graveyard contact Heritage@westmeathcoco.ie

Reminder - deadline for applications to Creative Ireland Open Call is 8^th March at 12 noon. For details see:https://westmeathculture.ie/arts/creative-ireland-grants-2023/

Events:

Wed 1^st March 12noon – 1:30pm Volunteer tree-planting at Belvedere - come along and get your hands dirty planting trees in the woodland area. John Smith from the Horticultural School will be on hand to lead the planting– meet at the visitor centre at 12 noon, tea/coffee and scones will be provided after the job is done!

Thurs 2^nd  March 19:00-21:00 - Oral History Network of Ireland first (virtual) networking event of 2023. This FREE online networking event offers a space for oral historians to meet in an informal setting to discuss ideas and meet other people involved in oral history. It is also an opportunity to share your views on how OHNI can develop over the coming months and years. The theme for this event is ‘Everyday Oral History’ and, if the last networking event is anything to go by, there will be great conversations and debate to be had throughout the evening. Although the event is free, you need to register in advance for a place at the following link: Everyday Oral History - OHNI Online Networking Event Tickets, Thu 2 Mar 2023 at 19:00 | Eventbrite

Thurs 2^nd March, 7:30pm wetland webinar will be a special bi-lingual event for seachtain na Gaeilge: info@communitywetlandsforum.ie On the night, members of the CWF speak about their work:

• Ríonach Ní Néill from the group Ciotóg, speak about their peatland restoration initiative underway in south Connamara.
• Eugene Dunbar from ETHOS, Tyrrellspass, speak about their work to develop a boardwalk over the bog in Tyrrellspass
• Monica De Bath and her work with the Creative Rathangan Meitheal to create awareness of the local bog and all that live there, human and non-human.