Éanna Ní Lamhna facts for kids

Éanna Ní Lamhna (born 1950) is a well-known Irish biologist, environmental expert, and broadcaster. She is famous for her work in nature and the environment in Ireland. In 2012, she was named one of Ireland's "Influential 100" people.

She was the president of An Taisce, a national charity that protects Ireland's natural and cultural heritage, for five years in the 2000s. She also led the Tree Council of Ireland from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2020 to 2023. She now works as their Public Relations Officer.

In November 2024, the University of Galway gave Éanna an honorary science degree (DSc). This was to celebrate her great work in science and sharing science with others. In December 2024, she was put forward as a candidate for the 2025 Seanad election, but she was not chosen.

Early Life

Éanna Ní Lamhna grew up in Stabannon, a small place near Castlebellingham in County Louth. Her father, Peadar Ó Lamhna, was a teacher at the local school. He even taught her when she was in 5th, 6th, and 7th class.

Career in Science and Nature

Éanna studied biology at University College Dublin (UCD). She learned about plants (botany), tiny living things (microbiology), and how plants grow in their environment (plant ecology). She also became an expert in insects (entomology) and has a special interest in bats. Later, she earned a Ph.D., which is a very high degree.

She worked for a government environmental agency called An Foras Forbartha, which is now known as the EPA. There, she helped create important maps showing where different animal and plant species lived in Ireland during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1988, she decided to retire early from that job. She then started working as a consultant, a teacher, and a broadcaster.

Teaching and Consulting

Éanna has worked a lot with both primary and secondary schools. She helped with programs like Heritage in Schools and the Ringo Project, which teach children about nature. She also checked on teachers who were still training. She taught about Sustainable Development at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Broadcasting

Éanna Ní Lamhna has been a regular on the radio show Mooney and its earlier version Mooney Goes Wild since 1995. She also appeared on the TV show Creature Feature and was often on the children's program The Den. She has been a guest many times on The Late Late Show and other TV shows like The Panel.

In May 2020, she was interviewed for a two-part podcast called Trees A Crowd by David Oakes.

Writing Books and Papers

Éanna Ní Lamhna has written or helped write several books and papers about nature. These include:

• Provisional Distribution Atlas of Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals in Ireland (1979)
• Distribution Atlas of Butterflies in Ireland (1980)
• Talking Wild: Wildlife on the Radio (2002)
• Science All Around Me (a series for schools, 2003-2004)
• Wild and Wonderful (2004)
• Straight Talking Wild: More Wildlife on the Radio (2006)
• Wild Dublin (2008)
• Wildlife in Schools: A Book for Primary School Teachers (2009)

She also wrote papers like Oil Pollution Monitoring (beached birds) 1985–1986 and studies about wildlife in the Terenure area of Dublin.

Charitable Work

Éanna Ní Lamhna often gives talks and leads guided walks to help raise money for good causes. She was the president of An Taisce from 2004 to 2009, helping to protect Ireland's environment.

Public Figure

Éanna is one of the most recognized environmental experts in Ireland. In 2012, she was listed among the "Influential 100" people in Ireland by Village Magazine. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency.

Personal Life

Éanna Ní Lamhna is married to John Harding. They have two sons and one daughter. She has lived in Dublin since 1967. She speaks Irish very well and often gives talks, broadcasts, and school visits in the Irish language.

See also

In Spanish: Éanna Ní Lamhna para niños