Written by: Jeff Fallon
2021
The North Bull Island, home to The Royal Dublin Golf Club, is celebrated throughout Europe as a wildlife habitat for its unique collection of flora and fauna, and particularly its large concentration of over-wintering wildfowl and waders. It attracts more birdwatchers than any other location in Ireland. This marine environment, with its diverse wildlife, is a constant source of enjoyment for golfers. In 1979, the island was declared a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the 1979 European Bird Directive (79/409/EEC) and in 1981 it was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the first in Ireland. The Royal Dublin Golf Club staff and members are aware of the environmental significance of the site and are encouraged to function as environmental stewards. Day-to-day activities are carried out with this in mind, should a query of environmental significance arise, the appropriate authorities are consulted with and their advice is sought.
