Large turnout to Two Mile House family walk

Setting out from TMH GAA Club.

There was a very large turnout to the Family Ramble organised by the Two Mile House Biodiversity & Heritage Group this afternoon, writes Brian Byrne.

The walk took the participants along by Harristown Commons, passing Dunshane House Camphill, highlighting Harristown Castle and other interests along the Harristown Demesne, finishing at the O'Brien family farm and viewing the nearby former Harristown Station.

Jesmond Harding (above) of Butterfly Conservation Ireland provided a background to the biodiversity of Harristown Commons, which he described as a very special and complex area with conditions that favour a significant variety of wildlife.

John O'Brien recalled the history of Harristown Station and its importance to the local area as a stopping point on the long-defunct Tullow Line.

There was a family Nature Scavanger Hunt and Quiz as part of the event, for which the weather decided to be very kind. The ramble was the first of what the organisers hope will be a series of different walks and talks in and around the Two Mile House area.

For those fascinated by today's talk on butterflies and moths, Jesmond Harding's The Irish Butterfly Book is now available in Woodbine Books.

NOTE: We will have a more detailed report in the coming days based on talking with the two speakers.

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