Éanna Ní Lamhna
for Seanad Éireann 2025
Cultural & Educational Panel
Nature - Culture - Equality
Glór do gach aon duine!
MEET ÉANNA
The most recognisable voice in Ireland speaking up for nature.
Eanna is from Co Louth and moved to Dublin in 1967 to study science in UCD. She has lived there ever since. She has a husband, 3 grown-up children and 7 grandchildren. Eanna is a keen hill walker and a sea swimmer in the summer. She is passionate about preserving Ireland's wildlife heritage for her grandchildren and for future generations.
"A vote for me means that there will be an independent and knowledgeable voice in the Seanad calling for the protection of Ireland’s cultural and natural heritage.
As a long-standing advocate for Ireland’s natural and built heritage, I bring extensive experience, passion, and a lifelong commitment to the protection of our environment and cultural heritage. I have been the most recognisable public voice on biodiversity, wildlife and environmental education in Ireland over the past 35 years by virtue of radio broadcasts, television appearances, newspaper columns and eight very accessible books on the Irish environment.
I have been Head of The Irish Biological Records Centre, Lecturer in Environmental Management in TUI, President of the Tree Council of Ireland for two separate terms of office, and President of An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, from 2005-2009.
I am deeply concerned about our rapidly deteriorating environmental quality. Everyone doing their bit is all very well but what is needed now more than ever is Oireachtas-led measures supported by everyone. Initiatives such as the smoking ban, plastic bag pricing, and money-back recycling schemes have shown that this approach works. I would work to encourage and facilitate further such measures. Our Oireachtas must enforce the legislation we have already enacted and draw up more to cope with the worsening situation.
If you want something done put a woman on the job. Is fear go déanach ná go brách."
Le meas,
Éanna
Éanna Ní Lamhna is a qualified biologist and environmental consultant with expertise in botany, microbiology, and plant ecology, complemented by postgraduate studies on sand dunes and salt marshes. Her career began at An Foras Forbartha (now the EPA), where she played a pivotal role in species distribution mapping during the 1970s and 1980s. She also served as Honorary Secretary of the Irish branch of the Botanical Society of the British Isles.
Éanna transitioned into education as a teacher, lecturer at the Dublin Institute of Technology (focusing on Sustainable Development), and inspector of trainee teachers. She worked extensively with schools, delivering impactful programmes such as Heritage in Schools and the Ringo Project.