Golden Wings World Book Day Celebration

A special World Book Day event took place at Oranmore Library, where pupils from 2nd and 4th class at Scoil Íosa enjoyed a reading of Golden Wings – A Tale of an Irish Barn Owl. The event was a joint initiative of the Galway County Council Biodiversity Office and the Galway Public Library Service and was delivered by the book’s author, Susan O’Donohoe, as part of World Book Day celebrations. The reading combined storytelling with an engaging introduction to Ireland’s native wildlife. Pupils from 2nd class also brought along their own beautiful drawings of barn owls which they proudly shared during the event, adding a creative and personal touch to the morning.

Ecological Theme

As part of the celebrations, County Librarian, Elizabeth Kane presented prizes to the pupils, while
Aisling Mitchell of Oranmore Library, along with library staff, welcomed the children and school staff to the library, helping to create a warm and engaging experience for all involved.
Golden Wings tells the story of a barn owl while introducing key ecological themes in a way that is
clear, accessible and engaging for children. Older pupils were particularly interested in the barn owl facts section at the end of the book, which provides additional detail on the species, its behaviour and the challenges it faces in the Irish landscape.

Understanding and Caring for Biodiversity

Speaking at the event, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cllr David Collins, said:
“World Book Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading and the power of stories. Golden
Wings shows how books can help children learn about nature and the wildlife that lives alongside
us. By encouraging reading and curiosity about the natural world, events like this help young people to better understand and care for our biodiversity.”

Links with Built and Natural Heritage

The Director of Services for Planning and Economic Development with Galway County Council,
Liam Hanrahan, said: “Biodiversity and heritage are central to how we plan for sustainable communities. Barn owls are often closely associated with our older buildings and farm structures, which provide important nesting and roosting habitat for the species. Initiatives like this help children understand the links between our built heritage, the natural environment and how thoughtful planning and conservation can support both.”

Pupil Engagement

Rosina Joyce Biodiversity Officer with Galway County Council said:
“Golden Wings is a powerful way to introduce children to the barn owl and to Ireland’s biodiversity more broadly. Seeing pupils engage with the story and share their own barn owl drawings shows how storytelling can spark curiosity and care for wildlife. We also encourage the public to support conservation efforts by reporting barn owl sightings to BirdWatch Ireland.” The book was illustrated by Robert Vaughan and designed by Sara Sirtoli, whose artwork and layout help bring the story to life and support children’s understanding of the natural world. Author Susan O’Donohoe also regularly shares her nature observations and wildlife experiences through her Facebook page, Susans Wild World, encouraging continued interest in Irish wildlife beyond the page.

Red-Listed Species

Barn owls are an iconic but red‑listed species in Ireland, facing a range of threats including habitat loss, road collisions and rodenticide poisoning. Members of the public are encouraged to report any barn owl sightings to BirdWatch Ireland, as these records are vital for monitoring this protected species and supporting conservation efforts.

The second edition of Golden Wings was reprinted in 2025 with funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) and is available through libraries, ensuring continued access for schools, families and communities.