A woodland wander at to discover the hidden world of Fungi led by Dr. Paul Dowding, expert botanist and consult to the National Poisons Unit

Join us for a woodland wander of Devil's Glen in Co. Wicklow, to discover the hidden world of fungi. The wander will be led by Dr. Paul Dowding, expert botanist and consultant to the National Poisons Unit, in support with Jeremy Casey from the Native Woodland Trust.

We will learn where to look for Irish fungi, how to identify them, and shed light on their hidden world with recent discoveries expanding our understanding of the the vital functions they perform within the native woodland ecosystem.

We’ll also discover the risks posed by some of our fungal friends to humans if consumed, how to identify these species, symptoms of accidental consumption, and what to do in a related emergency.

We will hold a voluntary donation at the end of the event to raise funds to support the Native Woodland Trust and their conservation efforts in our woodland sites around Wicklow.

Date: Saturday 24th October 2026

Time: 10 AM - 1 PM

Location: Devils Glen Wood, Co. Wicklow

Parking: Meeting at the large car park with 25 car capacity at the start of Waterfall Walk (map attached) Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/2osffHStS522JBov9

What to bring:

A small basket for collecting toadstool samples

Warm and waterproof clothing in layers

Sturdy footwear

Water, snack and a keep cup

Any medication you may require

Any field guides or nature keys you have that might be of use, including mobile identification applications

Any magnifying glasses or hand lenses you might have

We will be providing tea, coffee and biscuits. If you have a reusable coffee/tea cup, please bring this along to minimize waste on the day.

Latex gloves (optional)

Age limit: None. All minors supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

Toilet Facilities: Regrettably there are no toilet facilities on site in Devil's Glen, so a stop en-route in Ashford (9minutes drive away) is recommended.

Cancellation Note: Events may be cancelled on short notice if there are adverse weather conditions or weather warnings in place. In the event that we do cancel an event on short notice, we will send an email to inform you as early as possible.

Native Woodland Trust Contact: Jeremy Casey 0871953629

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Description supplied by the event organiser.