As part of the Baggotonia Festival 2025, An Taisce hosted an open morning at The Grove urban wildlife sanctuary on the corner of Morehampton Road and Wellington Place, Donnybrook on Sunday, September 21st. It's an urban wildlife sanctuary covered in mature trees and saplings. The site was donated to An Taisce so it would be preserved and maintained as a green area and a nesting place and sanctuary for birds and provide an amenity for the citizens of Dublin.

The Baggotonia Festival is an exciting annual celebration of community, history, arts, culture, entertainment and people - past, present and future – in the area emanating from Baggot Street Bridge - an area known as Baggotonia.

                                                                        

An Taisce welcomed visitors to enjoy a walk around this sylvan green space and the active creative who attended our Art Workshop based on Birds, Bats and Bees of the Grove. Led by artist Jo Callanan who encouraged the group to observe and sketch the natural elements around us; the trees, leaves, insects and animals, using the woodland environment as inspiration for their work.

Many of the works were taken home as memory of the day. Following the art hour, Yoga Leader Ciara Bonner led the Woodland Yoga workshop. Going through the exercises, the breathing and the meditation brought the group to a deeper connection to the natural world, to physical well-being, and peacefulness by sensing the natural elements like soft earth, fresh air, and the sounds of birds. Our four youngest attendees all aged under five enjoyed the relaxation and the experience of closeness to nature; a lovely way for them to participate and enjoy the Grove.

Huge thanks to Rebecca Jeffares — Dún Laoghaire Local Association An Taisce for facilitating this fantastic event.