Tom Campbell
Wild Mayo
By Tom Campbell
26, Nov 2012 - 21:05

Pictured at the launch of Mayo’s Wild Things and Places are (back row from l to r) Cllr Blackie Gavin, Cllr Michael McNamara, Cllr Michael Holmes, Peter Hynes, Mayo County Manager, Cllr Al McDonnell, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly, (front row l to r) Deirdre Cunningham, Mayo Heritage Officer, Cllr Cyril Burke Cathaoirleach, and Cllr Therese Ruane. Photo Tom Campbell.

Mayo's Wild Things and Places launched.

Mayo's Wild Things and Places, a new beautifully illustrated and informative book on the habitats and species of County Mayo, has just been launched. The book written by Deirdre Cunningham, Mayo Heritage Officer and Aisling Wheeler, Green Schools Biodiversity Officer, and edited by well-known naturalist Michael Viney, will be a great resource for school teachers and pupils, community groups, residents and visitors to Mayo who want to learn more about biodiversity, and for anyone with a passing interest in the natural heritage of the county. There is no other county in Ireland that can rival Mayo for its natural beauty and for the wealth and diversity of wildlife habitats found here. From the mountains to the coast, to the rivers and lakes, peatlands, farmland, the wealth is truly remarkable. "We hope that this book will encourage people to explore their local area and further afield, visit a woodland, a bog, or a lake shore, climb a mountain, take a walk along a beach, and look around at the wildlife that inhabits or uses these places," said Deirdre Cunningham. "The book highlights a selection of species that you will find in these places and gives a description, an illustration and useful information about each" she added.

The book is available from the Heritage Office of Mayo County Council Tel 094 9047684, email heritage@mayococo.ie, and also from Mayo book shops around the county, cost €20.