This magnificent publication attracted a lot of attention at Bioblitz 2012 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin on 18th May, an annual public-awareness recording day, organised by the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) http://bioblitz.biodiversityireland.ie/bioblitz-2012/.

The photo shows (at left) Dr Noeleen Smyth (National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin) presenting a copy of the book to (at right) President Michael D. Higgins, with (in centre) Dr Liam Lysagh (Director, National Biodiversity Data Centre, Waterford) looking on.

The launch took place at the end of March in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. It was officially launched then by Donal Synnott, former Director of the gardens. The launch was attended by the Republic's Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Jimmy Deenihan) and by the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment (Alex Attwood).

 

(left to right) Alex Attwood, Jimmy Deenihan, Neil Lockhart, NickHodgetts, David Holyoak

 

Minister Jimmy Deenihan (left) and Minister Alex Attwood (right)