The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club

1886 - 2011

Aims of the DNFC

The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club was founded in 1886 and early members included Robert Lloyd Praeger and Nathaniel Colgan. It has the general aim of promoting an interest in all branches of natural history

The Field club activities are  educational and provide opportunities for people to share their interests in, and learn about the natural history of our environment. 

The Club is concerned with the conservation and protection of rare and endangered plants and animals and the protection of sites of scientific interest. 

Its membership, which consists of several hundred people of all ages, includes both amateur and professional naturalists. Interest and enthusiasm are the only qualifications needed.

Activities

• The principal event is the outdoor field excursion and approximately 50 are held each year.
  These are concentrated in the Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath region and take place throughout the year, whatever the weather may be. 

• Whit weekend brings the Club to different parts of Ireland each year, e.g. Carlingford, West Cork, Sligo, and the Burren.

• Indoor lectures are given by invited speakers and the topics are extremely varied geographically and in subject matter, from Irish Conservation Policy to exploration of the Antarctic.

• Identification workshops are another aspect of the Club's activities.

• Work on a country wide survey of butterflies is currently in progress by the Club members and non-member volunteers.

• The "Flora of County Dublin" was published by the Field Club in 1998, and is the most detailed county survey of plants ever carried out in Ireland.

• The Field Club have produced a "Guide to the Butterflies of Ireland" which is a simple publication to help identify butterflies in the field, or display as a wall chart. (see Butterfly Guide page).

• Further information on butterflies can be viewed on the Field Club Butterfly Web Site www.butterflyireland.com 

• Work on a country wide survey of butterflies is currently in progress by the Club members and non-member volunteers.

• The Field Club is one of the sponsors of the Irish Naturalists' Journal, which publishes articles on all aspects of Irish natural history.

Contact Information

Further information about the Field Club may be obtained from the

Company Secretary
Gerry Sharkey
81 Jamestown Road    
Finglas
Dublin 11

Contact by Email

Applications to join should be made to the Membership Secretary or by completion of the Membership Application Form and sending to the Membership Secretary:

Fridolin Kerr
31 Cherrywood Park 
Clondalkin
Dublin 22

If you wish to pay by Direct Debit please also print and fill in this DIRECT DEBIT FORM  

This form is in pdf form so you may first need to download a free copy of Acrobat

Dublin Naturalists' Field Club (DNFC) Board Members

• Company Secretary                    Gerry Sharkey

• Honorary Secretary                    Pat Lenihan

• Meetings Secretary                    Melinda Lyons

• Membership Secretary                Fridolin Kerr

The Dublin Naturalists' Field Club is a Company Limited by Guarantee No.270016 
and a Registered Charity CHY 11424
Registered address: 35 Nutley Park, Donnybrook, Dublin 4.
Contact by Email

Last updated on 05 February 2012

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