Mooney Goes Wild

Finally on tonight’s programme, Karla Goodman gives us an update on Garrylucas Marsh (also known as Kilcolman Bog) in West Cork, which featured in our colleague Michele Browne’s Custodians of Ireland series on RTÉ Radio One.

Duration:00:02:24

Reporting from Global Birdfair 2025 in Rutland, England

Every July, the English county of Rutland plays host to the Global Birdfair, the world’s largest annual celebration of birds. Naturally, Niall Hatch was in attendance and is here to tell us more about the event and play some interviews he did with Ryan Chenery and Chandika Jayaratne.

Duration:00:12:30

International Conference on Basking Sharks

From August 29- 31 2025, the International Conference on Basking Sharks will take place at Atlantic Technological University in Galway. Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Basking Shark Group looks forward to the conference and tells us more about the amazing Basking Shark, which is the second-largest species of fish in the world.

Duration:00:22:16

Two critically endangered Flapper Skates washed ashore in Co. Mayo

The Flapper Skate is the largest species of skate in the world, clocking in at up to 2.5 metres in length. Sadly, they have been classified globally as “critically endangered”. In May, two Flapper Skates washed ashore in Co. Mayo and Louise Overy, Wildlife Biology Lecturer at Munster Technical University, was able to study it.

Duration:00:14:32

Looking back at Ken Whelan’s Nature On One documentary on mayflies

There is much more to mayflies than might meet the eye. They are fascinating creatures with a complex lifecycle that is largely hidden from human eyes. Regular contributor Dr Ken Whelan has made a special documentary on them which went out on August 4th and can be heard on the website.

Duration:00:01:57

Remembering plastic hurleys

When Derek was a child, he remembers hurleys made from plastic. Tonight, he's rediscovered an RTÉ report from 1977 on the unusual alternative to the traditional ash stick.

Duration:00:02:56

Can we save the Ash tree?

Ash Dieback Disease has become a significant blight on the tree and is affecting supply for hurleys. However, research from Kew Gardens may give hope. Éanna speaks to Professor Richard Buggs, Senior Research Leader at Kew Gardens.

Duration:00:12:43

Exploring the world of Irish bats

We recently received an email from Joan Mulvany in West Cork, and it contained videos of a mother and baby bat. The panel discuss bats in Ireland before Terry's report on a Bat Hospital in Limerick, run by Susan Kirwan

Duration:00:27:20

Happy birthday to an avid listener

Sarah wishes her 87-year-old father, a longtime listener of Mooney Goes Wild and birdwatcher, happy birthday.

Duration:00:01:25

Water pollution rises during summer

Ken Whelan brings us worrying news about two recent oil spills in Laois and Dublin that have caused pollution.

Duration:00:04:30

Celebrating the saving of Abbeyleix Bog, 25 years on

Abbeyleix Bog in Co. Laois is a natural gem, teeming with flora and fauna and a wonderful trail system. Having been rescued from destruction 25 years ago, there will be a celebratory Abbeyleix Bog Festival from July 24th to 27th.

Duration:00:01:31

Carlow Garden Festival

The Carlow Garden Festival will run from Saturday 26th July to Sunday 3rd August at various locations along the Carlow Garden Trail. Eileen O’Rourke of Carlow Tourism tells us what to look forward to.

Duration:00:01:31

Celebrating 100 episodes of RTÉ’s Ecolution podcast

We are big fans of Ecolution, RTÉ’s dedicated podcast about nature and climate action for children and young people presented by 17-year-old Evie Kenny. To celebrate its upcoming 100th episode, we are joined by its producer Nicky Coghlan.

Duration:00:16:36

Filming the fastest animal on the planet

Once brought to the very edge of extinction by the effects of a notorious pesticide, the Peregrine Falcon has staged a remarkable comeback. Ornithologist Jim Wilson has been filming the comings and goings of a pair of Peregrine Falcons currently nesting high on Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork City.

Duration:00:06:00

Monitoring marine mammals

Offshore wind farms play an increasing role in Ireland's transition to a zero-carbon economy. But what effect do they have on wildlife? The ESB has developed a dedicated Marine Mammal Observer programme and Terry Flanagan went to meet Jo Green (observer) and Niru Dorrian (Senior Ecology Co-ordinator) in Dublin Bay.

Duration:00:10:53

Mooney’s Wheel of Wildlife

Terry, Richard and Niall pit their wits in Mooney's Wheel of Wildlife. Tune in for some fascinating facts about some of the most intriguing species in the world.

Duration:00:11:21

How did a Leopard become frozen high on Kilimanjaro?