A Heritage and Habitat roundup
Stirling going green
Sonairte, the National Ecology Centre in Laytown, Co Meath, is opening its doors for free tomorrow. Attractions include the bi-monthly farmers’ market and craft fair and a once-off exhibition of the Stirling engine. These 19th-century external combustion engines are being re-examined now because they can run on renewable fuels such as solar power. Sonairte is a 10-minute walk from Laytown Train Station. Contact sonairte.ie and 041-9827572.
Honour for excellence
A new awards scheme to celebrate Ireland’s most energy-efficient renovation and new construction projects has just been launched. Sponsored by the international insulation company, Isover, the scheme offers €10,000 to the winner of a building project which must be fully completed by December 2010 and be five years old or under. “This award scheme will honour those who have excelled in the energy-efficient building sector,” says Kieran Holohan of Isover Ireland. The closing date for entries is October 8th. See isover-eea.com
Things to do outdoors
One Hundred and Fifty-Two Wild Things To Do,by Helen Babbs (E&T Books), is the title of a new guide to get everyone outside and closer to nature. Although aimed principally at the UK market (therefore perfect for anyone holidaying there this summer), it has many suggestions that are not location dependent. These include building a pond in your garden, making blackberry (or strawberry or raspberry) jam, cloud-spotting, rock-pooling or star-gazing and taking a day-long hike. The book is published in association with the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts and all 47 Wildlife Trust reserves feature in the book.
Ecoweb
coolearth.ie
Climate-change comedians, children’s activities, environmental exhibition, workshops and talks in the County Hall, all part of the Festival of World Cultures in Dún Laoghaire from 11am-6pm today and tomorrow. Full details on this site of this, the fourth Cool Earth event. Admission is free.
