Press Release: Niall Hatch Launches Photographic Exhibition of Starling Murmurations in Mullingar Library

On Thursday 25 May Niall Hatch Head of Communications and Development with BirdWatch Ireland, regular contributor to ‘Mooney Goes Wild’ on RTÉ Radio 1 and cohost of the popular podcast ‘In Your Nature’ visited Mullingar Library to launch an Exhibition by Local Photographers John McCauley and Rodney Clery. The Exhibition of 20 photographs of Starling Murmurations over Lough Ennell has sparked interest among library users.

“You’re very lucky in Mullingar to have Lough Ennell nearby– it is one of the best, if not the best, place to view Starling murmurations in the Country. This natural phenomenon can be seen from November to March. You have to be very patient to see it and even more patient to get such fantastic photographs as these,” said Niall. He complimented Rodney Clery and John McCauley on their photographs, which he said really captured the three-dimensional aspect of the murmurations. “Of course, what the photographs can’t capture is the incredible sound of the murmuration and then the deafening silence once it is gone”.  

Asked why the Starlings fly in these formations, Niall said “There are several theories. Of course, there is safety in numbers so escaping prey is probably a factor, but really it is a mystery.”

Niall Hatch was delighted to be presented with one of the photographs from the Exhibition. Limited numbers of the photographs are on sale – only five copies of each photograph are available. The mounted photographs are being sold for €80 with all of the proceeds going to the charity Tanzanian Heavenly Homes ( https://www.tanzanianheavenlyhomes.com/ )

The Exhibition will run until 8 June and can be viewed during Library opening hours;  http://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/library/findyourlibrary/mullingarlibrary/

“This exhibition is not to be missed”, says Heritage Officer Melanie McQuade, “it was scheduled to mark Biodiversity Week (19 – 28 May) but we are delighted to retain the exhibition until 8 June to give more people a chance to enjoy these beautiful images”.

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��Full Press Release at: https://t.co/tFLvP90fyt

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— Westmeath County Council (@westmeathcoco) May 26, 2023

Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 26/05/2023