Day 1: Meet & depart from Knock Airport early afternoon and head to a mountain near Sligo where we should see our first main orchid target – Dense-flowered Orchid. We will also have a spectacular view of the coastline from here. Then north to Mullaghmore, which is home to several orchid species, some of which will already be in flower, and is also good for birds such as Skylarks, Red-breasted merganser and waders. There was a pair of Whooper Swan nesting here in 2023. This site has also produced early dragonflies on past trips. From there, a short drive to our accommodation in Sligo.

After dinner we can meet in the Hotel bar, check our photos and get to know each other.

Day 2: After breakfast we will head north-east towards Enniskillen in Northern Ireland, where we visit a spectacular escarpment overlooking Lower Lough Erne, which has the largest population of Dense-flowered Orchid in the UK and Ireland. Numbers vary from season to season but can range from 100 to 700+. In a good year, the site has many Early Purple orchids of all colours too and other plants typical of montane limestone grassland such as Mountain Everlasting. This is a private access area to which we have permission from the ecologically-minded farmer. Our timing should be right to get the plants in perfect condition, depending on the season of course!

We will have our packed lunch on the hill – the views are so good! If it does happen to be raining, we can eat in the vehicles with the windscreen wipers on (we are able to take the vehicles up to the top of the hill). Next, a short drive to Navar Forest Park. This is a popular wildlife destination in the area with lakes, forests and bogs, and we should see hundreds, or even thousands, of Lesser Twayblade, which will be coming into flower and look lovely and fresh. There are also sites for Irish Damselfly and Cryptic Wood White in the area.

Evening meal at the hotel.

Day 3: After breakfast we will head north to visit an ancient Atlantic rainforest – one of the top 5 most biodiverse woodlands in whole of Ireland – where we will see some beautiful Sword-leaved Helleborines. Common Spotted, Bird’s-nest Orchids and Common Twayblade are also present. This is also a site for Tree Lungwort – a specialized species of lichen that is an indicator of pristine habitat. Here, we may also see Pied Flycatcher, Grebes and possibly Red squirrel and White-tailed Eagle, which has been reintroduced to the region. We will have lunch overlooking the gorgeous Lough Eske, a tranquil and beautiful lake with mountain views. Then on to the spectacular St John’s point and a colony of Marsh Orchids, including Britain and Ireland’s largest population of Pugsley’s Marsh Orchid. Among spectacular scenery near the lighthouse and beaches we’ll explore the series of fens where we should see hundreds of individuals of this species along with Early Marsh, Heath Spotted, and possibly Irish Marsh and get some practice on the various hybrid combinations. From here also we should see breeding Snipe, and on the sea there is a chance of Whales, Dolphins and Basking Sharks, as well as Great Northern Diver and Auks. The limestone grassland may produce Marsh Fritillary Butterfly, and also has numerous Early Purple Orchids, offering fantastic photographic opportunities.

Then northwards to Sheskinmore National Nature Reserve – a large area of dunes and lakes. Here we get our third chance seeing Dense-flowered Orchid, growing in dune slacks – a very unusual habitat in Ireland. The species is scattered throughout this national nature reserve. We will also see various Dactylorhiza marsh and spotted orchids, including more instructive hybrids if we are sharp-eyed. One area could have several thousand Early Purple Orchids and is truly a sight to behold!

After these delights we head to the famous fishing town of Killybegs for a dinner of fish and chips – it would be rude not to here! The harbour also has birds such as auks, including Black Guillemot, that show very close. If the weather is fine we can eat our meal overlooking the harbour, otherwise we will sit in.

Then back to the hotel for evening drinks and social.

Day 4: Today we head west into County Mayo, where we are guaranteed a lot of Irish Marsh Orchids, many in their prime, at several sites, including the beautiful Cross Lough, and nearby coastal machair. Lunch in a really nice café in Belmullet – where, in some gardens, Irish Marsh orchids grow in front lawns!

The Belmullet peninsular is also home to Conrcrakes, and we have a good chance of hearing them, and maybe even catching a glimpse of one. It is also home to Ireland’s only breeding population of Red-necked Phalarope, which can be watched from the road at a safe distance from any nests. The sea may produce terns, auks, divers, otters and cetaceans.

Evening meal in Sligo, followed by drinks in a nearby bar along with some traditional Gaelic music for our last evening.

Day 5: Our last day, so we will have an earlier breakfast to enable us to check out a site on the way back down to the airport. If flights or travel allow it, we will head to Mullaghmore to see how the orchids have progressed since our first visit.

Dropoff at the airport and say our farewells!

To follow later

To follow later