Inspiring School Visits
My work with schools has been described as inspiring, spell-binding, entertaining and informative for pupils and teachers alike. I will introduce the wonderful world of birds through hands-on workshops that include feathers, beaks, nests etc. as well as through my wonderful original images. Outdoor field trips can also be arranged. I can adapt my workshops to suit all class levels or design them to suit local areas, projects or times of year as required.
Green Flag Assistance
I am delighted to announce that I am also certified by An Taisce to assist schools achieve their Green Flag in Biodiversity.
About Eric ‘the Birdman’ Dempsey
I am one of Ireland’s leading bird experts, author of many books and team member of RTE’s Mooney Goes Wild show. Since 2002, I have been visiting schools all over Ireland as one of the most experienced Heritage Experts working with the Heritage Council as part of their Heritage in Schools Scheme (see www.heritageinschools.ie for more information).
I have been birding seriously for over 40 years and my aim in life is to share Ireland’s wonderful birds and natural heritage with as many people as possible through my guiding, writing, speaking, broadcasting and my photography.
In the past few years I have moved to the wonderful rolling hills and coastlines of Newcastle, Co. Wicklow and so am now available to visit schools in Wicklow, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare and north Wexford.
Of course, I can make special arrangement to visit schools anywhere in Ireland.
The Heritage in Schools Scheme currently only applies to National Primary Schools while visits to Secondary and Third Level Colleges can be arranged directly between the college and myself.
The Heritage Council pays a percentage of the cost. The fee breakdown for the school visit is as follows:
Cost Half Day Full Day
Total cost €100 €170
School pays €60 €100
Designated Disadvantaged School – total cost €100 €170
Designated Disadvantaged School pays €40 €60
The Heritage Council pays the balance. The school portion is payable on the day of the visit.
Please note that I can only do ‘Half Day’ visits to very local schools.
The Special ‘Five Visit Series’
If a school books the same Heritage Expert for five visits in one calendar year, then the fifth visit is free to the school… it’s a ‘Buy Four and Get One Free’ offer! I would always encourage schools to avail for the ‘Five Visit Offer’ as it allows me to develop a great rapport with pupils and teachers alike, as well as allowing me to develop new themes and subjects with the pupils.
Booking me as your Heritage Expert is easy:
Primary Schools only
Step 1
Simply fill in the enquiry form below with the number of days you wish for me to visit and with some suggested dates. Once I receive this information, I’ll be in touch to confirm a date or dates that suit us both.
Step 2 (for Primary Schools only)
Once we’ve agreed our date(s), then you visit the Heritage in Schools website (www.heritageinschools.ie) and click on the ‘Book an Expert’ link to key in the date(s) we have agreed.
Step 3
We will both receive confirmation that the booking has been made and that funding has been allocated. The school payment is due on the day of the visit. If you wish to pay online let me know and I can send you an online payment link.
Non-Primary Schools
Simply fill in the enquiry form below with the dates and description of the event. Once I receive this information and we agree the event and date(s), I will send you confirmation and an online payment link for the total agreed fee which is required at least 7 days before the visit.
If you’d like to discuss any aspect of the process or school visit with me, please contact me on 087 907 5669 or by email to birdsireland@gmail.com
Testimonials
Here’s what some teachers have said about my visits to their schools:
What an experience! Eric spent a week in our school talking to the children and I have no hesitation in saying that it was one of the most exciting weeks that the school has ever had from a visiting speaker. From beginning to end we were all mesmerized, children and staff alike. His passion for his subject is so infectious and his ability to communicate this to the children is very special.
Our Lady of the Wayside NS Manager
Eric had a wonderful rapport with the children and shared his huge store of knowledge in such a way that had children and teachers hanging on to every word.
St Brigids GNS
Eric Dempsey is, without doubt, the most engaging speaker on the birds of Ireland that I have ever come across.
Kilternan CoI NS Manager
