One of our members, Dr Paul Dowding, has kindly offered to lead a Mushroom Hunt for members of the Association on Tuesday 4th October at 11am, starting from the Deerpark Golf course in Howth (site of the former Deerpark Hotel).
We will walk round the edge of the rhododendron cliff to the planted broadleaf woodland above the rhododendrons, where we will hunt for fungi growing on the soil as well as on fallen trees. From there we will climb further (on easy paths) to the natural birch/willow wood to look for the toadstool associates of these trees. We will then descend around the edge of the golf course to our starting point and, depending on weather, time and inclination, explore the woodland below the rhododendrons. Beech, birch, oak, pine and spruce all support good fungal floras. We will only get a good crop if there has been heavy rain at the end of September, and then can only expect to find about 40% of the complete fungus flora.
Participants are advised to wear sturdy footwear and a shower and windproof jacket. However, if continuous rain is forecast, it is recommended that you wear rainproof outerwear.
Anyone who wants to eat any (edible!) fungi we find should bring a RIGID container. Mushrooms get squashed in polybags.
Meeting Point
We will meet from 10.15am in the Royal Marine Hotel, Sutton Cross. There is free parking at the hotel. It is also on the Howth bus route and close to Sutton Dart Station. We will leave the hotel about 10.45am and drive to Deerpark. If you travel to the hotel by public transport, you can be sure of a lift from other members to and from Deerpark.
Booking
Twenty places are available. You can sign up on the website below or email info@tcdretired.ie.
Paul Dowding is a Fellow Emeritus of Trinity and a member of the Botany Department. He taught mycology at Trinity for 37 years and has led many fungus forays in the woods around Dublin.