International Mushroom Festival
Starts: 12th Oct 2013
Killegar, Co. Leitrim, Ireland
Each autumn the International Mushroom Festival brings mushroom experts and mushroom lovers from all over the world to Killegar to exchange scientific knowledge and celebrate our natural environment.
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About
Mushroom lovers from all over the world will gather at Killegar Estate for the third successive year to celebrate the natural environment and exchange scientific knowledge in the lakeland setting of Leitrim.


Coinciding with the UK's Fungus Day 2013, the festival centres on learning about, examining and identifying some of the hundreds of species of fungus found in the Cavan/Leitrim area.


Besides the focus on fungi this festival offers a programme of talks, demonstrations and exhibitions on heritage, nature and wildlife based on the rich variety of plant and animal life that flourishes in the area.


"It's a real pleasure to see so many people enjoying the magical experience of Killegar and sharing their joy in learning more about mushrooms and our woodland eco-system", says Sue, Lady Kilbracken, organiser of the festival.


Leading mushroom, forestry and wildlife experts will guide visitors through ancient native woodland.


Some of Ireland's leading chefs will use the wild mushrooms brought back by the foragers in cookery demonstrations and tastings.


A craft fair showcasing the work of local artists/crafts people and anewly-opened exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of this Georgian house introduces a new dimension to this year's programme.


For the youngest festival-goers, OWLS (Outdoor Wildlife Learning and Survival) Nature Club will be delivering an exciting and educational programme about the natural world.


Among the rarer species at Killegar are the Bird's Nest Orchid, found in only six locations in these islands and the Bird's Nest fungus, thought to be extinct in Ireland until rediscovered near Killegar in2011 and the jewel-like Merveille de Jour (Marvel of the Day) moth.


The estate also plays host to buzzards, owls, the pygmy shrew and Ireland's seldom seen mammal, the pine marten.


All proceeds go to the 'Save Killegar Fund', set up to preserve Killegar Estate as one of Ireland's and Europe's last-remaining heritage houses, its native woodlands and sanctuary for wildlife.
