The Office of Public Works (OPW) is inviting the public to participate in a 24-hour Bioblitz at Castletown House and Parklands on 22 and 23 May to celebrate Biodiversity Week 2026. The weekend event will feature a range of interactive activities, talks, and nature trails designed for families, visitors, and wildlife enthusiasts of all ages.

Attendees will have the opportunity to join expert OPW staff for a guided meadow walk, take part in river dipping to examine local aquatic habitats, play a game of bird bingo, or accompany Neil Bourke from BirdWatch Ireland for a dusk chorus walk. Minister of State with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, said: "I am delighted to welcome this series of events at Castletown House and Estate to celebrate Biodiversity week. This is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to come together and learn about the diverse plant and animal species that inhabit our heritage sites and is a part of a wide range of events being held across OPW sites for Biodiversity week."

The initiative aims to record as many living species as possible within the 24-hour window, drawing on expertise from various conservation groups.

Head of Heritage Services and Capital Works Delivery for the OPW, Rosemary Collier said: "The Bioblitz at Castletown House and Estate offers an exciting opportunity to really engage with Biodiversity on the site. Visitors can come and experience the rich diversity of life across the site with talks and walks led by our expert OPW teams and by our partners; Bat Conservation Ireland; BirdWatch Ireland; Moths Ireland and Kildare County Council Biodiversity Office."

While all events throughout the weekend are free of charge, the scheduled bat walk requires participants to register in advance via Eventbrite at: bat-walk-at-castletown-house-parklands-tickets.