Biodiversity means the variety of living things – plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms – and the relationships between them.

No species works alone. A flower may feed a bee, the bee may pollinate a fruiting shrub and the fruit may feed a bird that spreads the seed.

Native hedgerows around the village contain plants such as hawthorn, blackthorn and elder. The River Worm, mature woodland and riverside walk connect wet, wooded and hedgerow habitats.

Community planting increasingly uses perennial and pollinator-friendly choices. Selected grassy areas are left longer, with paths cut through them, so flowers can bloom and wildlife can find food and shelter.

The butterfly garden, native Irish black bee apiary and village log piles provide food, nesting opportunities and shelter for insects and other animals.

Ballinahown’s Community Biodiversity Action Plan guides practical work.

Information signs, plant guides, nature activities and QR codes make biodiversity visible and understandable to residents, children, visitors and community groups.

This mural helps people identify familiar plants and understand why they matter. Awareness is an important first step towards protecting habitats and changing everyday practice.

Sessile oak

Quercus petraea   |   Native

This native Irish oak has grown here since after the last Ice Age and supports insects, birds, fungi, mosses and lichens, with its acorns feeding wildlife in autumn.

Pedunculate oak

Quercus robur   |   Native

This native lowland oak supports insects, birds, fungi and lichens, while its acorns, rough bark, hollows and deadwood provide valuable food and shelter.

Downy birch

Betula pubescens   |   Native

This native birch was among the trees to return after the last Ice Age and supports insects and birds while allowing wildflowers to grow beneath its light canopy.

Silver birch

Betula pendula   |   Native

This native birch grows well on light or disturbed soils and supports caterpillars and birds while its open canopy adds variety to woodland habitat.

Wych elm

Ulmus glabra   |   Native

This native Irish elm survives in woods and hedgerows despite Dutch elm disease and provides food and habitat for insects, birds, mosses, lichens and fungi.

Hazel

Corylus avellana   |   Native

Hazel has grown in Ireland for thousands of years and supports biodiversity through its early pollen, nutritious nuts, sheltered growth and close relationship with woodland fungi.

Holly

Ilex aquifolium   |   Native

This native evergreen is rooted in Irish woodland and folklore, providing flowers for insects, berries for birds and dense year-round shelter for wildlife.

Ivy

Hedera helix   |   Native

This native climber grows on trees, walls and hedges, offering late autumn nectar, winter berries and dense shelter for insects and nesting birds.

Snowdrop

Galanthus nivalis   |   Introduced and naturalised

Snowdrop was introduced to Ireland but is now widely naturalised, and its early flowers provide nectar and pollen on mild winter and spring days.

Primrose

Primula vulgaris   |   Native

This familiar native flower grows along Irish banks, hedgerows and woodland edges, providing valuable early food for bees and other insects.

Bluebell

Hyacinthoides non-scripta   |   Native

The native bluebell is closely linked with old Irish woodland and provides spring nectar for bees and other insects before the tree canopy closes.

Lesser celandine

Ficaria verna   |   Native

This native spring flower grows in damp woods, hedgebanks and stream sides, providing early pollen and nectar when few other plants are in bloom.

Foxglove

Digitalis purpurea   |   Native

This native Irish wildflower grows on banks, roadsides and woodland clearings, and its deep tubular flowers are especially valuable to bumblebees.

Nettle

Urtica dioica   |   Native

This widespread native plant supports many insects and is an essential food plant for the caterpillars of peacock, small tortoiseshell and red admiral butterflies.

Scots pine

Pinus sylvestris   |   Native, with a complex history

Scots pine has an ancient but complex history in Ireland, and its seeds, evergreen branches and older bark support birds, red squirrels, insects, fungi and lichens.

Ash

Fraxinus excelsior   |   Native

This native tree has long been part of Irish woods, hedgerows and culture, supporting insects, fungi, lichens, nesting birds and seed-eating wildlife.

Wild cherry

Prunus avium   |   Native

This native Irish tree, also called gean, provides spring blossom for pollinating insects and cherries for birds and mammals.

Yew

Taxus baccata   |   Native

This long-lived native evergreen is associated with ancient woods and churchyards, providing dense shelter, nesting cover, berries for birds and bark for lichens.

Spindle

Euonymus europaeus   |   Native

This native shrub grows in hedgerows and woodland edges, where its flowers feed insects, its colourful fruits feed birds and its branches provide cover.

Guelder rose

Viburnum opulus   |   Native

This native shrub grows in damp woods, riverbanks and hedgerows, providing flowers for insects, berries for birds and dense wildlife cover.

Hawthorn

Crataegus monogyna   |   Native

This iconic native hedgerow tree is deeply connected with Irish farming and folklore, providing blossom for pollinators, berries for wildlife and safe nesting cover.

Elder

Sambucus nigra   |   Native

This long-established native shrub grows around hedgerows, farms and woodland edges, providing flowers for insects, berries for birds and habitat within older stems.

Crab apple

Malus sylvestris   |   Native

Ireland’s native wild apple grows in old woods and hedgerows, providing spring blossom for pollinators, fruit for wildlife and habitat for insects, fungi and lichens.

Rowan

Sorbus aucuparia   |   Native

This native tree of Irish woods and hillsides has strong folklore associations, with spring flowers feeding insects and autumn berries feeding birds.

Blackthorn

Prunus spinosa   |   Native

This native thorny shrub is common in Irish hedgerows, where its early blossom feeds pollinators, sloes feed wildlife and dense growth provides secure shelter.

Wild rose

Rosa species   |   Native group

Ireland has several native wild roses whose open flowers feed insects, hips feed birds and mammals and thorny stems provide nesting cover.

Heather

Calluna vulgaris   |   Native

This native plant is characteristic of Irish bogs, heaths and uplands, providing late-summer nectar for insects and dense shelter for small wildlife.

Buttercup

Ranunculus species   |   Native group

Several buttercup species are native to Irish grasslands and verges, where their open yellow flowers provide pollen and nectar for small insects.

Red clover

Trifolium pratense   |   Native

This native meadow plant provides deep, nectar-rich flowers for bumblebees and works with soil bacteria to naturally improve soil fertility.

White clover

Trifolium repens   |   Native

This widespread native plant flowers for a long season, feeding many bees while also improving soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.

Self-heal

Prunella vulgaris   |   Native

This low-growing native wildflower thrives in lawns, verges and grassland, where its purple flowers feed bees and other insects.

Vetches

Vicia species   |   Native group

Several native vetch species grow in Irish grasslands and hedgerows, providing flowers for bees, food for wildlife and natural enrichment of the soil.

Shamrock

Usually Trifolium dubium   |   Native cultural plant

Shamrock is a traditional Irish name most often linked with native lesser trefoil, a small clover that feeds pollinating insects and helps enrich the soil.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale aggregate   |   Native group

These widespread native wildflowers grow in lawns, verges and fields, providing nectar and pollen over a long season and seeds for birds.

Knapweed

Centaurea nigra   |   Native

This native grassland flower provides long-lasting nectar for bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies, followed by seeds for wildlife later in the year.

Thistle

Cirsium species   |   Native group

Ireland has several native thistle species whose nectar-rich flowers feed bees and butterflies and whose seeds are especially valuable to goldfinches.

Alder

Alnus glutinosa   |   Native

This native wetland tree grows beside rivers and lakes, helping stabilise banks while providing food and habitat for insects, birds, fungi and lichens.

Goat willow

Salix caprea   |   Native

This native willow grows in damp ground and woodland edges, providing vital early pollen and nectar for queen bumblebees and leaves for caterpillars.

Grey willow

Salix cinerea   |   Native

This native willow grows in wetlands and damp scrub, providing essential early food for pollinators and creating shelter within valuable wet habitats.

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria   |   Native

This native plant grows in damp meadows and along waterways, where its scented flowers attract many insects and its dense growth provides cover.

Devil’s-bit scabious

Succisa pratensis   |   Native

This native flower of damp meadows and bog edges provides late-season food for bees and butterflies and is the main caterpillar food plant of the marsh fritillary.

Red squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris   |   Native

Ireland’s native red squirrel depends on woodland for seeds, nuts and fungi and helps spread seeds and fungi by carrying and burying food.

Butterflies

Various species   |   Native group

Ireland’s native butterflies depend on suitable flowers and caterpillar food plants, helping with pollination and providing food for birds and other wildlife.

A species that arrived and became established without being introduced by people.

A species introduced by people that now grows and reproduces in the wild.