Éanna Ní Lamhna facts for kids

Éanna Ní Lamhna (born 1950) is an Irish biologist, environmental expert, and a well-known TV and radio presenter. She is also an author and a teacher. Many people in Ireland know her for her work on nature and the environment. In 2012, she was named one of Ireland's "Influential 100" people.

Éanna was the president of An Taisce, a national charity that protects Ireland's nature and history. She led the group for five years in the 2000s. She is still part of its Council today. She also led the Tree Council of Ireland from 2012 to 2014 and again from 2020 to 2023. Now, she helps with their public relations.

In November 2024, the University of Galway gave Éanna a special award. It was an honorary DSc for 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. This was for a special group focused on culture and education.

Éanna's Early Life

Éanna Ní Lamhna was born and grew up in Stabannon. This village is close to Castlebellingham in County Louth, Ireland. Her father, Peadar Ó Lamhna, was a teacher at the local school. He even taught her when she was in 5th to 7th class.

Her Amazing Career

Éanna studied biology at University College Dublin (UCD). She learned about plants (botany) and tiny living things (microbiology). She also did advanced studies in how plants live in their environment. She focused on entomology, which is the study of insects. Éanna is also very interested in bats.

She also got a special diploma to teach in Irish secondary schools. Later, she earned her Ph.D., which is a very high university degree.

Éanna worked for a government group called An Foras Forbartha. This group is now known as the EPA. She helped create important maps of where different animal and plant species lived in Ireland. This work happened in the 1970s and 1980s. She also helped the Irish part of the Botanical Society of the British Isles.

In 1988, she decided to retire early from her job. She then started working as a consultant, a teacher, and a broadcaster. She has worked a lot with primary and secondary schools. She helped with programs like Heritage in Schools and the Ringo Project. She also checked on teachers who were still training. Éanna has also taught about sustainable development at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

On TV and Radio

Éanna Ní Lamhna has been on the radio show Mooney and its earlier version, Mooney Goes Wild, since 1995. She also appeared on a TV series called Creature Feature. She was a regular guest on the children's show The Den.

She has been on The Late Late Show many times. She also appeared on The Panel and Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels. In May 2020, Éanna shared a two-part interview. This was for David Oakes’ Trees A Crowd podcast.

Writing About Nature

Éanna Ní Lamhna has written, co-written, or edited several books. These books often focus on nature and wildlife. Some of her books include:

• Talking Wild: Wildlife on the Radio, published in 2002.
• Science All Around Me (parts 3, 4, 5, 6), which she co-wrote from 2003 to 2004.
• Wild and Wonderful, published in 2004.
• Straight Talking Wild: More Wildlife on the Radio, published in 2006.
• Wild Dublin, published in May 2008.
• Wildlife in Schools: A Book for Primary School Teachers, published in 2009.

She also wrote papers, including worksheets for schoolchildren.

Helping Good Causes

Éanna Ní Lamhna has done a lot of work for charity. She gives talks and leads guided walks to help raise money for good causes. She was also the president of An Taisce from 2004 to 2009.

A Well-Known Public Figure

Éanna Ní Lamhna is one of the most famous environmental experts in Ireland. In 2012, she was ranked number 96 on the "Influential 100" list. This list was put together by Ireland's Village Magazine. She was one of only three environmental figures on that list. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee for Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency.

Éanna's Personal Life

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

See also

In Spanish: Éanna Ní Lamhna para niños