Oíche Shamhna or Halloween Ní fada uainn anois an oíche mór …. Not long now till the big night …. As Ireland is the original home of #Halloween, we wish all of you – young & not so young who will be calling to entertain a great evening's fun & entertainment.

Our #NewbridgeInBloom Summer Display is currently being dismantled. Thanks to Jer Delaney for a designing & providing a wonderful floral display. Thanks to our Dead-headers who kept the display looking pristine over the summer. More details here .. facebook.com/newbridgetidyto…

Robin's Pincushion Diplolepis rosae Gall Wasp A home for Bedeguar Gall Wasp larvae on Dog Roses. Eggs laid on wild rose, when they hatch the grubs feed & grow within the gall. The long stiff hairs start green & become red in colour as it matures in the autumn. #WildflowerHour

Snapdragon Antirrhinum Srubh lao Generally flowering from June onwards - this one growing from between the cobblestones on a footpath this week. Can grow quite high & pollinators such as bees are frequent visitors in search of nectar. #WildflowerHour

Dandelion Taraxacum vulgaria Caisearbhán Native plants still flowering in October. These early bloomers also play a crucial role as an important food source - providing both pollen & nectar for pollinators like bees earlier in the year. #DandelionsAreFlowersToo #WildflowerHour

Ivy Hedera Helix Eidhneán A native evergreen climber found almost everywhere & carpeting the ground. Flowering in autumn, providing a late source of nectar for bees / hoverflies etc. Its berries ripen during late winter providing food for our wintering birds. #WildflowerHour

Don’t Forget - Daylight saving time is ending. Time “falls back” at 2 am (to 1 am) on Sunday morning 25th October 2026. Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier than the day before. Nach gasta mar a théann an t-am thart! Clocks Fall Back in Autumn: Tempus Fugit!

Shaggy Inkcap Coprinus comatus Caidhp Mhosach A tall, upright cylindrical species of fungi, initially white in colour & shaggy, over time liquifies giving a black "inky" appearance. Found in many habitats from April to November - grasslands, road verges & gardens. #FungiFriday

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Broigheall A fairly large dark coloured bird Eats fish caught through diving Long neck with long hooked bill & often stands with wings outstretched A lovely yellow patch on the throat at the base of the bill. Dark webbed feet #LiffeyLinearPark

Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Nóinín mór AKA Dog daisy Generally flowering from May to September but this native flower was spotted during this week. It can reach 80cm in height & has white petals with a bright yellow centre. Found in meadows, grass verges #WildflowerHour

Red Clover Trifolium pratense Seamair dhearg Commonly seen purplish pink coloured flower. A native plant, flowering from May to October. A lone example flowering beside a footpath. #WildflowerHour

Tufted Vetch Vicia cracca Peasair na luch A native plant still flowering on a roadside location. Bright bluish-purple flowers which are favoured by bees & other insects. The leaves comprise of pairs of narrow, oblong, pointed leaflets. #WildflowerHour

Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Paide Bréan A very rare native tree, its dark green leaves turn yellow in autumn. Although its flowers are small, they are a valuable source of nectar for pollinators. It’s #berries - initially coloured red, mature to black. #WildflowerHour

Bulrush Typha latifolia Coigeal na mBan sí (Spindle of the banshee) A tall, upright perennial native plant, growing in the #Liffey & nearby waterways. Bulrushes act as a filter, absorbing toxins, thus helping to reduce water pollution. #wildflowerhour

Looking forward to an interesting day & loads of informative presentations at the #KildareBiodiversityConference in @KeadeenHotel today.