Botany
Botany events in the Ellen Hutchins Festival
The Ellen Hutchins Festival (August)
Each year’s Festival has a wonderfully wide range of walks, talks and activities based on botany.
Most of the walks and workshops are free. Some have a fee payable. Almost all needed to be booked in advance, including the free ones.
The Festival in 2025 had walks in woodlands or meadows, others on the seashore and one on Whiddy Island. One walk went behind botany – looking at geology and another considered a prehistoric landscape.
See below for what we have done before.
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Previous years - 2022 as a sample programme
She Gathered Seaweeds on the Seashore
Whiddy Island
The session led by Frances Gallagher, aquatic biologist, and Carrie O’Flynn, historical re-enactor and period costume maker, started on the strand by Whiddy Island’s pier at low tide exploring the seaweeds and learning more about them. The group heard about who would have been gathering seaweeds in the early 1800s and why they did so. They saw the clothing they would have worn and the baskets they would have used.
Frances shared her knowledge of Bantry Bay’s seaweeds and their uses as food and soil improvers. She will then guided then group in gathering small seaweed pieces for specimens for a practical session spreading the seaweed specimens on paper with careful guidance from Frances. Everyone took home their own specimens to dry out and keep, and also some of the ‘magic ingredient’ that will enable them to make more another time / at home.
Carrie showed the equipment that Ellen would have used over 200 years ago and there were images of Ellen’s seaweed specimens and drawings to examine.
Hand lenses and microscopes were available enabling people to see beautiful tiny details of the live seaweeds that are invisible to the human eye.
This event had funding from a Cork County Council Heritage Grant and from the Environmental Research Institute at UCC.
Upland Botany with Rory Hodd
Vaughan’s Pass, Bantry
A look at the characteristic plants of heath and bog with leading botanist Dr Rory Hodd.
Walking along an upland section of the Sheep’s Head Way from Vaughan’s Pass, Bantry, Rory showed participants some of the typical wildflowers and mosses of West Cork’s peatlands.
Talk: How might the Strawberry tree have arrived in Ireland
Bantry Library
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) is considered by many to be native to Ireland but Dr Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington’s research suggests it may be a more recent arrival. Following the trail of the first copper miners who reached the shores of Ireland, along with Irish place-names, folklore and DNA, Micheline weaves a fascinating story about the possible origins of the Strawberry Tree in Ireland.
This was a joint event between the Ellen Hutchins Festival and Bantry Historical and Archeological Society.
Plant Biology for the Future
At Ardnagashel
A look into research now and a glance to the past, in a special place where Ellen Hutchins botanised. Astrid Wingler, Professor of Plant Biology at UCC led a walking talk through the grounds of Ardnagashel, explaining the current function of gardens and woodlands, the future impact of climate change on plants, issues of native species and alien invasives, biodiversity and rewilding. Madeline Hutchins, Ellen researcher and her great great grandniece, told the story of Ellen’s botanising and Astrid recounted key points in the history of plant biology. Hand lenses and microscopes were available to see details of plants invisible to the human eye.
Plants under the microscope
Future Forests, Kealkil
An opportunity to see the stunning details of flowering plants, mosses and lichens using a microscope or hand lens. Members of the Ellen Hutchins Festival team were on hand to show you how to use the magnifying devices and get a glimpse into a different world.
A free drop-in event suitable for all ages.
Basket making demonstration
Future Forests, Kealkil
Those who came to this drop-in event saw one of Ireland’s top basket-makers at work, as Yvon O’Flynn demonstrated her skill during a live demonstration. There was a display of traditional styles of baskets.
A free drop-in (or stay) event.
Rattle-making Workshops
Future Forests, Kealkil
Learn the basics of basket-making in a mini workshop with Ciara Strange & take home your own willow rattle.
Talk on Irish Atlantic Rainforests
Future Forests, Kealkil
Eoghan Daltun is passionate about native Irish woodlands and vocal on how our relationship with nature needs to change in order to preserve the future of the human race. He is not only a man of words, with his first book ‘An Irish Atlantic Rainforest’ due out in October, but also a man of action with a temperate rainforest on the Beara Peninsula, part of a 73-acre farm he is rewilding. Eoghan talked about Irish Atlantic Rainforests and discussed what the future of the Irish countryside both could and should be.
Coastal wildflowers along the O’Sullivan Mile (Trafrask to Faha)
Trafrask (Beara)
Clare Heardman, Conservation Ranger for Beara, led a 3 km walk looking at the wonderful variety of coastal plants along the shores of Bantry Bay. Starting and finishing at Trafrask, this gentle walk explored the special plants that can survive in a salt-splashed environment.
Water Heritage Day: explore the marine ecology of Adrigole Harbour by kayak
West Cork Sailing & Powerboat Centre, Adrigole Pier
Marine biologist Niall McAllister of Wild Atlantic Wildlife led a kayak trip around Adrigole Harbour and talked about the importance of the local marine environment. The group learnt about seals, seaweed and other sea life.
Niall and Gail of Wild Atlantic Wildlife generously agreed to donate all proceeds from this event to the Ellen Hutchins Festival.
Earlier Festivals had included walks led by botanists on shorelines, in woodlands, up mountains, and round gardens. Sessions have focused on lichens, mosses and liverworts, seaweeds, wild flowers and garden plants from around the world. The Festival has a large number of hand lenses on lanyards to lend out, enabling everyone on the walks to experience the sight of the tiny details of the plants through one. There have also been talks on the botany of West Cork.
The 2021 Festival had seven in-person events featuring botany. See also Wild Child Day here and the DIY Festival days. In-person events were outdoors and public health guidance was followed.
Coorycommane Loop Walk: Botany and Bantry Bay Views
Clare Heardman, Conservation Ranger for Beara, led a walk exploring the botany of this 5km trail which heads up through woodland and out onto open hillside. It features stunning views over Bantry Bay and the Caha Mountains, including many of the places where Ellen Hutchins (1785-1815) hunted for plants 200 years ago.
Note: this trail is well signed and suitable for a walk on your own, from either end. It includes rough ground and boggy sections so walking boots are sensible.
Oceanic Lichens: a lichen walk in Glengarriff Woods
Paul Whelan, author of Lichens of Ireland and a new book published by the Ellen Hutchins Festival about the Oceanic lichens of Glengarriff, led a lichen walk through the woods. The focus was on the rich Oceanic lichen flora characteristic of the unique climate of West Cork. Hand lenses were available so participants could appreciate the hidden beauty of lichens up close.
She Gathered Seaweeds on the Seashore
Ardnagashel Strand, near Ballylickey
The group started on the strand at low tide to explore the seaweeds and learn more about them, and about who would have been gathering seaweeds in the early 1800s and what for. The session was run by historical reenactor and period costume maker, Carrie O’Flynn, and aquatic biologist, Frances Gallagher. Frances shared her knowledge of seaweeds and their uses and then everyone gathered small pieces as specimens. As the tide came in, the group moved to a practical session spreading the seaweed specimens on paper with Frances and then taking a walk back in time in a special place with Carrie.
Team Ellen were filming Carrie and Frances for a short video for the website on seaweed gathering, outdoor clothing and baskets.
A walk in Gougane Barra: history and nature
A walkabout in the history and natural history of the perennially beautiful Gougane Barra with historical geographer and walking guide Catherine Ketch (Lee Valley Walking). We walked and talked about St Finbarr – the myths and the history – plus the other ‘characters’ of Gougane. We explored the formation of this sublime landscape through the ages and took a look at the heathland flora and fauna.
For information on Lee Valley Walking, contact Catherine directly: catherineketch@gmail.com
From Branch to Basket: willow and other useful trees
at Future Forests, Kealkil:
Basket making demonstration with Yvon O’Flynn and a display of baskets.
Make a willow rattle participants learnt basic basket making techniques and make a rattle in thirty minutes or so under the expert guidance of Ciara Strange.
A talk about willow and other useful trees by Mike Collard, founder of Future Forests. Mike’s knowledge on the subject of trees and their uses is deep and broad, as is his passion for them. A good crown joined Mike under a parachute shelter in this very special and beautiful place to hear him speak about trees.
This event had funding from a Cork County Council Heritage Grant.
Water Heritage Day
Coastal wildflowers along the O’Sullivan Mile (Trafrask to Faha)
Clare Heardman, Conservation Ranger for Beara, led a walk looking at the wonderful variety of coastal plants along the shores of Bantry Bay. Starting and finishing at Trafrask, this gentle 3km walk explored the special plants that can survive in a salt-splashed environment. We looked at some striking late summer wetland plants and saw gorgeous views of Bantry Bay from the historic O’Sullivan Mile.
Hand lenses were available to see the tiny details of the plants.
Water Heritage Day
Exploring the shoreline
Marine biologist Niall McAllister of Wild Atlantic Wildlife, led a kayak trip around Adrigole Harbour and talked about the importance of the local marine environment. The group learnt about seals, seaweed and other sea life.
Catherine Seale-Duggan (Community Water Officer) was also on hand to explain what it means for Adrigole to be a Prioritised Area for Action under the Local Authority Water Programme.
Location: West Cork Sailing and Powerboat Centre, Adrigole Pier.
Niall and Gail of Wild Atlantic Wildlife generously agreed to donate all proceeds from this event to the Ellen Hutchins Festival.
In 2019
2019 Plant Hunting in Ballylickey: three parallel hunts to find Ellen’s garden plants, wildflowers and cryptogams. In the gardens and grounds of SeaView House Hotel, Ballylickey; land that was Ellen’s home territory. Follow the expert guides, including Howard Fox, Botanist, National Botanic Gardens/OPW; Maria Cullen, Irish Geomycologist; Astrid Wingler, Professor of Plant Biology at UCC; and Clare Heardman, Conservation Ranger NPWS, and see what you can find!
2019 Guided lichen walk on the Fisherman’s Path in Glengarriff Wood
Explore the wonderful world of woodland lichens with Paul Whelan (author of Lichens of Ireland), and see lichens up close through a hand lens. The walk will help you look at and understand lichens. They are one of the longest living organisms on the planets and there are over 1,100 species in Ireland. You will attain an insight into how they live and the important role they play in nature.
2019 Guided Nature Walk on Whiddy Island
Join Clare Heardman (NPWS), for a 3km loop walk and learn about Whiddy Island’s wildflowers, following in the footsteps of Ireland’s first female botanist 200 years ago.
In 2018
2018 Guided Micro-nature Trail
An introduction to the lichens and tiny plants on the rocks and trees on the shore of Bantry Bay. With leading Irish botanists Howard Fox (NBG/OPW) and Maria Cullen.
Join Howard and Maria on the rocks at Snave. Hand lens and plenty of guidance will be provided to enable even absolute beginners to appreciate the hidden world of lichens and other cryptogams (spore producing plants). See their beauty and understand the science of these tiny but complex organisms.
2018 Guided Walk: Mosses and Liverworts
An engaging and informative introduction to the intriguing world of our smallest plants with Dr Joanne Denyer (Irish Conservation Officer, British Bryological Society).
The beautiful old oak woodlands of Glengarriff, provide the setting for this guided walk. Joanne makes the world of tiny plants accessible to all and hand lenses will be provided so participants will be able to see the true beauty and intricacies of the mosses and liverworts up close.
2018 Guided Walk: Coorycommane Loop Free event
Walk in the footsteps of Ellen Hutchins, Ireland’s first female botanist, with local Conservation Ranger, Clare Heardman, on this 5km loop walk overlooking Bantry Bay. Meet: Coomhola Bridge.
In good weather this loop walk provides spectacular views over Bantry Bay and Ballylickey to the south and to Co Cork’s highest mountain inland. Along the trail there are lots of interesting wildflowers to see.
Talks
In 2018
Illustrated Talk: Flora of West Cork
An illustrated talk about the unique wild flowers of West Cork and a glimpse into the life of Ireland’s first female botanist by Clare Heardman (NPWS & BSBI).
Due to its position on the extreme edge of Europe, West Cork has a unique climate resulting in a flora which includes some plants found in very few other places in the world. Ellen Hutchins was amongst the first to start documenting the botany of the area. Now, over 200 years later botanists are refinding some of Ellen’s discoveries.
