Ballybay Wetlands Centre
The Ballybay Wetlands Center is an impressive multi-purpose venue set in the heart of Monaghan with seeping views of the surrounding wetlands. Wetlands are considered to be the most biological diverse of all eco systems serving as home to a wide range of plants and animal life. Many species of birds,fish and animals and amphibians rely on wetland habitat for breeding,foraging and cover.
Cleansing
Wetlands protect water quality by trapping sediments and retaining excess nutrients and other pollutants such as heavy metal.
Protection
Wetlands absorb and slowly release storm water, flood water educing the chance of flooding and property damage.
Education / Schools
A radically changed schools curriculum with strong emphasis on practical sciences and field studies has created strong demand for a range of fun outdoor ‘Learn To’ products that satisfy the new field study focus of the schools curriculum. Learning activities based on observing creatures in their natural habitat l include Mini-Beast Safaris, Pond-dipping, Fishing, Wild-life Sketching, Fresh Water Sampling, Soil Sampling, Learn about lichens. Ballybay Wetland Centre also offer a programme of field-study days that will enthuse and enlighten teachers. The Centre also provides a Centre for universities and third level colleges have their field-trips .
Primary Schools
Offering a broad programme directly tied into the schools curriculum, over school calendar year and largely divided into two age categories:
With additional seasonal activities: (for example)
- Metaphorphosis / frog life cycle/ frog spawn, tadpole
- Caterpillars, moths & butterflies
- First animals out of hibernation
- Rushes & St. Brigid Crosses
- First flowers and plant adaptation
- Wetlands Walking on Water
- Life in the Wetlands
- Wildfowl
- Migratory Flight Paths & Swan Mythology; Children of Lir
- Summer Birds
- Nests in hedgerows
- Autumn berry picking
Secondary Schools
Leaving Cert
Practical Field-Programme to satisfy:
- Biology/ Ecology
- Geography
- Agricultural Science
Intensive Programmes in laboratory & field work
Transition Year - Modules offered:
- Horticulture for a day
- Landscape Concepts
- Tree planting
- Native Grasses
- Ordnance Survey & mapping
- Planting for moths , butterflies
- Biodiversity and European Legislation
- Protected Species Listed on the Annexes
- Wetland Vegetative Studies
- Pond Life & Microscope Use
- Photography
- Water Colours
- Creative Writing with residential writers from Annaghmacarrig & MCC Arts Officer, Monaghan Museum
- Place Names/ Loganimeacha and Townlands
Development of 3-D Landscape Model, integrating Geography, Ordnance Survey, Art, Irish language.
Sports / Recreation
Fishing facilities include a floating pontoon walkway with a boardwalk and angling stands. For nature enthusiasts, we have an observation deck with panoramic views across the Ballybay Wetlands
Tourism
The Eco-Tourism Offer
The project is positioned as a Centre for Eco-Tourism holidays and environmental appreciation and learning. The primary areas of activity include:
Discovering Nature……Learn-to Activities: 2 and 3 day holiday packages encompassing a range of activities such as Walking, Cycling, Orienteering, Birds for Beginners, Boating/Canoeing, Fly Fishing for Pike (2 day courses for beginners and improvers), Coarse Fishing (2 day courses for beginners and improvers), Wildlife Photography, Painting Spring Flowers/Watercolours, Sketching, Family Wildlife Safaris, Hedgerow Management for Wildlife
Conference Tourism: Particular opportunities have been identified for Public sector conferences/seminars and public service away days. Hosting of such conferences/seminars at the Ballybay Wetlands Centre will provide a unique setting and an example of environmental sustainability in practice.
Educational Tourism: A radically changed schools curriculum with strong emphasis on practical sciences and field studies has created strong demand for a range of fun outdoor ‘Learn To’ products that satisfy the new field study focus of the schools curriculum. Learning activities based on observing creatures in their natural habitat will include Mini-Beast Safaris, Pond-dipping, Fishing, Wild-life Sketching, Fresh Water Sampling, Soil Sampling, Learn about lichens. Ballybay Wetland Centre will also offer a programme of field-study days that will enthuse and enlighten teachers. The Centre will also provide a Centre for universities and third level colleges undertaking field-trips.
Environmental Conservation Tourism: Environmental conservation activities which will be offered include hedge laying, tree planting and wetland management to REPS planners, farmers, and contract workers to local authorities.
Competition Angling: There are 3 angling competitions held in the Ballybay area annually; 2 of these competitions are hosted in June and 1 in September. The competitions could be expanded in geographic terms so that at least some of the competition is hosted at the Ballybay Wetlands Centre.
Special Event Days: the Centre will host a range of special event days for the visitor market such as Bird Feeding, Artist in residence, Autumn Leaves-Painting workshops: Know your Water Colours.
Casual Visitor: The Centre will be marketed to the day visitor market as an eco-tourism centre and will provide an added facet to the County’s tourism product base, encouraging visitors to stay longer in the area. Day tickets will be available to visiting birdwatchers and to visiting coarse and pike anglers.
Address: Ballybay Wetland Centre, Derryvalley Farm, Ballybay, Co Monaghan, Ireland
Telephone: From within Ireland: (042) 974 8022 International: +353 42 974 8022
Fax: From within Ireland: (42) 974 8958 International: +353 42 974 8958
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: ballybaywetlands.ie
Information and photographs courtesy of Ballybay Wetlands Centre.