Join us for the Balfour-Browne Club meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, Ireland from Friday 22nd May to Monday 25th May 2026. This meeting focuses on beetle recording in a lake-rich area of central Ireland.
Event Details
When: Friday 22nd May to Monday 25th May 2026
Where: Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, Ireland
Evening Meal: Saturday 23rd May (venue to be confirmed)
Main Objective
The main aim of this meeting is beetle recording in a lake-rich area of central Ireland that straddles lowland limestone and upland, acidic geology. This unique geological transition creates diverse aquatic habitats that support a rich variety of water beetle species.
Your data will be added to the Irish water beetle dataset and will contribute to updates of the Irish water beetle Red List.
Location & Accommodation
Carrick-on-Shannon sits strategically on Ireland's longest river, the Shannon, in the heart of County Leitrim's distinctive drumlin landscape. This charming town serves as the main center for cruising on the Shannon/Erne river system and offers excellent accessibility for international participants.
For information on the town and accommodation options, please visit: Visit Carrick-on-Shannon
The location is approximately 2 hours northwest of Dublin Airport and 2.5 hours from Belfast, with regular train services from Dublin and comprehensive coach network connections making it easily accessible for all participants.
Exceptional Habitat Diversity
The meeting location has been carefully selected for its remarkable variety of aquatic beetle habitats, many of which remain largely unexplored from a water beetle perspective.
Drumlin Belt Exploration
Carrick-on-Shannon lies in the middle of the drumlin belt that runs east to west across this part of Ireland. These small hills of glacial material create a unique landscape where the hollows between drumlins typically contain small lakes or wetlands that have barely been studied for their water beetle fauna.
Turloughs and Limestone Lakes
The area features fascinating turloughs (seasonal lakes on limestone) alongside large limestone lakes such as Lough Gara and Lough Arrow, which are particularly rich in Donacia species. These habitats offer excellent opportunities for both research and field study.
Upland Opportunities
The surrounding uplands (in an Irish context) should theoretically support species like Boreonectes multilineatus and Agabus arcticus, neither of which currently appears on the species list for County Leitrim - presenting exciting possibilities for new county records.
Research & Conservation Impact
This meeting offers exceptional opportunities for both experienced researchers and newcomers to the field. The diverse range of habitats means participants can expect to encounter a wide variety of species and ecological situations.
The relatively unstudied nature of many local water bodies presents genuine opportunities for significant discoveries and contributions to our understanding of Irish aquatic beetle distribution and ecology. All records collected will contribute to national biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts.
Additional Information
More information will be provided as soon as possible. If you are planning on attending, please contact the event organiser using the button below.
Get Involved
If you are planning on attending, please contact the event organiser. For general information about the Balfour-Browne Club, use the Facebook link below.