IFSA 8th Annual Gathering and AGM 2026

IFSA Annual Gathering 2026 Bookings are now open!

Location: Knockree Hostel: Lackan House, Lackandarragh, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow

https://www.anoige.ie/knockree-hostel

Please take some time and read through all the information below thoroughly.

Dear members and friends,

We are delighted to welcome you to our eighth Annual Gathering and AGM at the Knockree Hostel, Co. Wicklow.We hope to use this opportunity to Celebrate 10 years of the Irish Forest School Association! Our connection with trees, songs,
games and birds, together in community with each other.

We also extend our thanks to the conference ACORN committee, and to nature for her abundant beauty and constant inspiration to us all.

It would be great to see as many people as possible from 6pm on Friday for dinner and an informal welcome circle. A way for us to fully embrace the land and our time together. 

Weekend Ticket Includes:

• Friday and Saturday night dorm Accommodation in the hostel

• ALL meals (Fri.night dinner,Sat.Breakfast,Lunch&Dinner,Sun.Breakfast&Lunch)

• Tea and Coffee throughout

• Evening activity

• Workshops

• AGM

Early Bird until April 27th

• Members (including current trainee members): €175 
• Non-member (includes membership): €210 

Regular Price After April 27th:

• Members(including current trainee members) :€195 
• Non-member (includes membership): €230 

Bookings close: 15th of May.   No refunds after May 1st.

Booking fee per ticket of €3.50 to €4.50 applies depending on ticket cost.

We will have a limited number of 'day only' tickets available on request:         (please email Kerry at info@irishforestschoolassociation.ie)

• Saturday only: €110 (including lunch and dinner)
• Saturday night and Sunday only: €110 (Including Sat dinner/Sun breakfast/ Sun lunch and accomodation) 
• Sunday only: €65 (including lunch)
• Supported places: x 2 free of charge.

Accommodation: 

All accomodation is in the hostel. The dorms are 4,6 and 8 bed dorms. Some are ensuite and some are shared bathrooms. There are 2 accessible dorms for those that need them. 
Beds are on a first come first served basis. 

Please note that unfortunately camping is NOT available at this venue.

Workshops info:

• All workshops are repeated twice

• Workshops are approx 90 minutes

• All workshops are outdoors

• Each attendee gets to participate in two workshops

Morning Workshops 

Workshop 1: 
Justin Ivory- Exploring the Glencree River

In his workshop Justin will introduce participants to the CSSI (Citizen
Science Stream Index) method of quickly assessing the water quality of
small rivers and streams through kick sampling and analysing the
macro-invertebrate life in the samples.

Justin Ivory has had a life-long interest in the natural world and for several decades has been involved in environmental activism and awareness raising, volunteering with ENGOs and participating in many biodiversity survey, monitoring and recording schemes across many taxa – birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants. Justin has an ecology qualification from UCC and is currently working as a CWO (Community Water Officer) for LAWPRO (Local Authority Waters Programme) covering Wicklow and DLR.

Workshop 2:
Liz McMahon and Emma King: ‘I Wonder’ Project

What happens when you wonder about the natural world around you in a biodiversity rich environment with children aged 8 – 12, artists, Forest School leaders and a teacher?

Last year Liz and Emma worked in collaboration with local children from Curtlestown School on the ‘I Wonder’ project. ‘I Wonder’ was an art and nature based project that was part of Riverscape, A Shaking Bog initiative.

The project was led by the children’s curiosity and playfulness.

Based on the ‘I Wonder’ project last year,Emma and Liz will be your guides to look closely and wonder in this rich environment. Using charcoal and ink made from local oak galls you will explore the properties of materials and record the textures and patterns you discover.

Liz McMahon is a visual art facilitator and Forest School Leader. She graduated in Fine Art from Limerick School of Art and Design, and in 2018 she completed the Forest School Leadership course. She was Children’s Programme Co-ordinator at the Irish Museum of Modern Art from 1991- 2000.

She has been working with children in and out of school on creative long-term and short time programmes. For the past 11 years has been facilitating nature based learning/Forest School on Killiney Hill with the students of Dalkey School Project.

Emma King is a Primary School Teacher and Forest School Leadership trainee. Emma has extensive experience across both mainstream and special education settings and currently supports students in a Special Education Teaching (SET) role at St. Patrick’s National School, Curtlestown. She is also training to become a Forest School Leader, with an expected graduation in July 2026, reflecting her passion for hands-on, nature-based learning.

Workshop 3:
Patrick Kirwan: Bitesize Biodiversity

In this workshop Patrick will give a brief introduction on the Irish Schools Sustainability Network. Participants will then get an opportunity to hear about Patricks project:Bitesize Biodiversity and gain practical knowledge through identifying a native Irish Species. There willbe time for a Citizen Science Activity - Flower Insect Timed Count, and then to finish off, the participants will take part in a Bitesize Biodiversity Blitz together as a group. 

Patrick Kirwan developed an award winning model for a whole school nature curriculum. In school and community settings, he uses nature as a conduit to foster wellbeing, leadership skills, confidence, resilience, community, environmental awareness and climate action. Patrick is the founding Director of the Irish Schools Sustainability Network (ISSN). The ISSN have many roles, one of which is trying to make it easier for teachers to learn about nature. They do this through Bitesize Biodiversity where about 120 teachers meet weekly for 15minutes to learn about one native Irish species.

Afternoon Workshops 

Workshop 4:
Justin Ivory- Exploring the Glencree River
Repeated workshop

Workshop 5:
Liz McMahon and Emma King: ‘I Wonder’ Project
Repeated workshop

Workshop 6:
Patrick Kirwan: Bitesize Biodiversity
Repeated workshop
----------

Raffle : Following last year's wonderful spirit of generosity we ask that attendees again bring along donations for a raffle with all proceeds going towards the Coill na bPáistí

IFSA Hoodies: Will be available to purchase over the weekend. Email info@irishforestschoolassociation.ie if you would like to add your own crafts to a small market place.