The Tower, the Owl and the Meadow: Knockelly Castle

Join us for an evening exploring Knockelly Castle's medieval heritage, its meadows and its birdlife, and the connections between them.

Custodian Jeremy Emmet-Booth opens with a guided tour of the tower house, tracing its history and conservation and the pressures facing Ireland's historic buildings under a changing climate. Jeremy sets out how Knockelly's story links heritage, environment and biodiversity, and how local landscapes carry global questions.

Ecologist Mieke Muyllaert-Brosnan then leads a walk through the species-rich meadows surrounding the castle, showing why healthy meadows matter for pollinators, birds and soil, and how traditional land management and ecological restoration protect both natural and built heritage together.

The evening closes with an illustrated talk on the birds of Knockelly by ornithologist Kevin Collins. Beyond the resident owls, Kevin reveals how places such as Knickelly form vital habitats for a wide range of birds and why they deserve conservation.

Visitors leave with a fuller sense of heritage as something living and dependent on both cultural and natural care.

Tickets cost €5 per person and must be booked in advance as spaces are limited.
Ample parking on site.

Accessibility:

Knockelly is in the early stages of conservation, and some areas of the site are not yet accessible; the site includes uneven ground, and no wheelchair accessible lavatory yet. We are working to improve this with every project we undertake. If you would like to attend and require special assistance, we will do our best to facilitate any specific requirements. Let us know how we can help.