Courses
8th International Swift Conference in ATU gets underway with over 180 delegates comprising over 70 organisations from 16 countries
185 registered delegates form 16 countries are in Castlebar this week (27 to 29 May) for the 8th International Swift Conference hosted by Atlantic Technological University in association with Swift Conservation Ireland/Mayo, Mayo County Council, Fáilte Ireland, National Wildlife and Parks Service (NPWS), Office of Public Works (OPW) and other supporting sponsors.
The conference was formally opened by the Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, and attended by Cathaoirleach of Mayo Co Council, Cllr Sean Carey, and the President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, staff, students and members of the public
The three-day conference brings together Swift enthusiasts, conservationists, ecologists, researchers and rehabilitators from around the world who are sharing research, exchanging ideas and celebrating the conservation of various Swift species include the Common, Pallid, Alpine and Vaux’s Swift. The conference is held every two years, previously in Germany, UK, Poland, Israel, Spain, and Italy (Trieste, 2024).
Opening the conference, Minister O’Sullivan said:
Each year this international event brings people together to exchange knowledge and inform meaningful action to protect this red-listed bird. Communities here in county Mayo are true leaders in swift conservation and research, through survey work, research, conservation and collaboration. The volunteer-led use of nest boxes throughout the county is making a real difference to the prospects of the swift population and helping to prevent its decline. I would like to pay tribute to all of those involved in these efforts, including ATU Mayo, the Save our Swifts Project, Mayo County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Dr Deirdre Garvey, Chair of the Green Campus and Head of the ATU Department of Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences, says: “Delegates are here from across Europe, the US and China. We are delighted to be hosting this international conference highlighting the conservation work that is having a real impact in Mayo and leading the way for Swift Conservation in Ireland.”
Keynote speakers from Ireland include Eoin Warner, award-winning nature documentary maker; Brendan Dunford who pioneered Burrenbeo, the Hare’s Corner and Re-Farm; Gordon D’Arcy the artist, author and naturalist; Georgia MacMillan, Mayo Dark Skies Park Development Officer, and Jarek Majukusiak. Master of Science by Research graduate of ATU who will speak about the founding of the ATU ‘Save Our Swifts’ project in 2011 and his research into the breeding biology of the Common Swift Apus apus in the west of Ireland based on this project.
Lynda Huxley, founder of Swift Conservation Ireland/Mayo, says: “The ATU Mayo ‘Save our Swifts’ Project established under the Green Campus programme and the 24/7 livestream of the breeding activity has been a catalyst for nationwide conservation of this amazing and iconic, red-listed bird’
Delegates will have an opportunity to take trips along the Wild Atlantic Way and learn about NPWS led conservation projects such as Corncrake LIFE, Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE Project; Machair LIFE and other tours which are being hosted and guided by NPWS to showcase the internationally important conservation projects in Co Mayo. For more information, visit the conference www.swiftsmayo2026.ie
Photo captions:
Photo 1: Lynda Huxley, founder of Swift Conservation Ireland/Mayo at the opening of the 8th International Swift Conference.
Photo 2: Christopher O’Sullivan TD, and Cathaoirleach of Mayo Co Council, Cllr Sean Carey.
Photo 3: 185 delegates from 16 different countries attended the 8th International Swift Conference at the Mayo campus
For media enquiries, contact:
Regina Daly
Communications and Press Officer
Tel: 087 961 8355
E: regina.daly@atu.ie
