Sanctuary in Nature visit to Bull Island, and Sonairte: 

great turn-out, and a very happy day

Our most recent trip took place last Saturday, 15 June. This is our sixth trip since we launched this sanctuary project in Dec 2012. Our next one should happen this summer.

This trip had by far the biggest participation yet, 42 guests, and seven volunteers (Muhammad Achour, Tian Yu, Kate Kavanagh, Victoria White, Tom Ryan, Brenda Reilly and myself, Paddy Woodworth). The highest previous participation had been 13 guests. 

We owe the increased participation to Muhammad’s fantastic networking. All the participants were Syrians, and word of mouth from the last trip has obviously blossomed. Romanians, Mongolians, and a Ugandan from previous trips also showed a lot of interest, but for various reasons could not come on the day. We need to develop more general networking in Mosney, and in other centres also.

We picked up in Mosney at 10.30, very promptly, and picked up another family in Balbriggan. At the Visitor’s Centre in Bull Island, the Dublin County Council reserve manager, Pat Corrigan, gave us a very warm welcome with tea and biscuits, He and his volunteer Chris gave a brief introduction to the natural history of the island. Chris then led us on an orchid walk, and our guests were clearly entranced by the landscape, and the pyramidal and bee orchids we found, sometimes in profusion. Lots of photos taken with the flowers!

However, I had not factored in enough time to do the full walk I had envisaged. Sadly, this also meant that we were not able to take up a great suggestion from Pat Corrigan, that we should assist briefly with the buckthorn clearance programme currently being undertaken to preserve the island’s biodiversity from this exotic invasive species. 

Our very success with the size of the group, and its age range from infants to grandparents, meant that we simply could not keep people moving fast enough to complete the programme we had envisaged, without spoiling their enjoyment. Learnings for another time… 

We returned to Sonairte for lunch, provided by Emillah of Cooking for Freedom (out of Hatch Hall). Sonairte were very welcoming, and also provided a prayer room for those who wanted one. Several families also brought wonderful Syrian pastries and cakes. We also had apples, chocolate and water available on the bus.

After an enjoyable and convivial meal, with volunteers and guests, we visited Sonairte’s orchard, veg gardens and woodland walk. One of the younger Syrians made contact with Sonairte manager Susan about volunteering at the centre with her friends in Mosney.

At 4.30 we returned to Mosney DPC, and the goodbyes including very good feedback plus helpful suggestions for future improvements. 

For the bus, we owe a big debt of gratitude to Nicola Winters of Sonairte, who managed to source all the funding for a 53 seater for six and a half hours exclusive use from Sonairte. 

Nicola also organised the support of Sonairte, and the lunch, but unfortunately could not come herself.

The cost of the meal was covered by a grant from Dublin County Council, much appreciated.

We have advanced a long way from our initial small trips. We now need to consolidate, and work out how to continue growing this model, perhaps expanding it to other centres, including a wider group of participants, pursue fund-raising options, and improving the quality of the experience. 

If you are interested in participating in future outings, either as a guest or a volunteer, please let us know through this page.

Thanks again to Sonairte, Dublin County Council, and all the volunteers, and to our guests for giving up a Saturday and participating so actively.

The photos show some of the group on the woodland walk at Sonairte, and a pyramidal orchid on the Bull Island. Many thanks to Kate Kavanagh. We may post an album on the trip here soon.

Paddy Woodworth

Trish Long Tian Yu Muhammad Achour City of Sanctuary Kate Kavanagh Nicola Winters Sonairte Corona Joyce Donika Gega Tusha Angel Rukundo Sedds Naser Snunu Zoe Devlin Victoria White BirdWatch Ireland Michelle Woodworth Simon Woodworth Eilis Cullen Enkhbolor Choijamts Celia Willoughby

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