St Patrick's College Maynooth and Maynooth University have three Walking Trails on campus that showcase the beautiful nature on our doorstep and its potential to enable and promote health and well-being for all. We invite staff, students and visitors to explore these trails on their own or through the links provided below. Each trail has a number of different stopping-points with numbered waymarkers and QR codes on each waymarker. The QR codes will link you to fascinating information including facts, folklore, mythology, surveys and prompts to help you connect more with the nature that surrounds you.

• Biodiversity Trail – A Changing Campus - Over the past decade, Maynooth’s campus has transformed from managed lawns into a biodiversity-rich landscape, supporting a wide range of native plants, insects, and birds. The Biodiversity Trail showcases this shift, highlighting areas that have been replanted, rewilded, and carefully managed to encourage biodiversity. The production of this beautiful trail was made possible through the MU SPUR Programme hosted by the Officer for Experiential Learning. It’s contributors include Laoise Maloney, Nazar Khokhla, Dr. Jim Carolan, Dr. Joe Timoney, Sophia Couchman, Dr. Gail Maher, Stephen Seaman and Dr. Ronan Foley. It is part of a broader mapping initiative under Maynooth Green Campus and Healthy Campus, designed to encourage staff, students, and visitors to explore and engage with the natural environment. QR codes along the route link to the MU Biodiversity Map, which provides details on key sites, planting schemes, and species surveys. Map: https://demomap.azurewebsites.net/

Click here for a video on the Biodiversity Trail

• Tairseach Tree Trail – Trees, Folklore, and the Living Landscape - This trail is part of the MU Project Live teaching and learning project Tairseach, a collaboration between the Froebel Department, Geography Department, Maynooth Green Campus and MU Grounds Team. Grounded in a pedagogy of community-engaged learning, the project weaves the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum to encourage environmental awareness and stewardship. Designed as an accessible introduction to Ireland’s most common native trees and the folklore surrounding them, the trail supports visitors in building ecoliteracy and fostering a deeper connection to native flora and fauna. Along the route, QR codes offer insights into the cultural and ecological significance of these species, inviting reflection on their role in Ireland’s natural heritage. A lesson booklet has also been created to enhance school visits, providing structured activities for younger learners. Map: https://horankev.shinyapps.io/tairseach_tree/

Click here for a video on the Tairseach Tree Trail

• Nature Connection Trail – Encouraging Mindfulness and Wellbeing - Spending time in nature can have a positive impact on well-being, helping to improve focus, reduce stress, and boost overall mental health. The Nature Connection Trail is designed to bring attention to the many green and blue spaces on campus, encouraging walkers to notice the variety of plants, sounds, smells, and wildlife around them. Developed by Dr Ronan Foley from the MU Geography Department in collaboration with Healthy Campus, the route includes QR codes linking to short surveys and reflective exercises designed to connect you to the beautiful natural spaces on campus. An easy way to take a mindful break and reset during a busy day. Map: https://horankev.shinyapps.io/nature_connect/

Click here for a video on the Nature Connection Trail