The first Inishbofin Corncrake Festival takes place at The Dolphin Hotel this May Bank Holiday 3rd-6th May 2019.

This exciting new festival, the first of its kind in Ireland, aims to allow visitors to hear and see this iconic bird, while raising awareness of the plight of this endangered species.

• The weekend will include early morning and afternoon walks to corncrake habitats, led by well known birder, photographer and author Anthony McGeehan. Anthony will be exhibiting some of his stunning bird photographs at the Dolphin Hotel over the weekend.

• Conservationist Feargal O̒ Cuinneagáin will describe the work he has done on his land on The Mullet peninsula , Co Mayo, to create a corncrake habitat .

• There will be after dinner talks and midnight walks to hear the nostalgic crex crex call.

• As well as corncrakes, the beautiful island of Inishbofin attracts breeding birds such as wheatear, skylark, chough, lapwing and ringed plover.

• there will also be time to enjoy Inishbofin's beautiful beaches and visit the Island Craft Expo.

The call of the corncrake was once a familiar sound in rural Ireland. Intensification of farming practices such as early mowing for silage have pushed these birds out to more remote unspoilt areas of Donegal, Mayo, Connemara and offshore islands.

In 2018 Birdwatch Ireland estimated only 151 breeding pairs remained in Ireland.

Conversely, on Inishbofin in Co. Galway, numbers have steadily increased, with 18 calling males reported in 2018. So this tiny island is now home to over 10% of the country's breeding population. This elusive bird has become synonymous with Inishbofin.

Beginner birdwatchers welcome.

to book accommodation and full weekend of walks and talks contact Dolphin Hotel www.dolphinhotel.ie/inishbofin-corncrake-festival or call 095 45991

3B&B 2 Dinners plus full weekend festival pass € 319 pps

2B&B 2 Dinners plus 2 day festival pass € 249 pps