Energy awareness highlighted: Architect and energy expert Duncan Stewart will speak at two events next month, both of which will highlight the importance of energy-efficiency in Irish buildings.
The first is an Energy Proof Your Home forum on Saturday next from 10am-5pm in the Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre, Essex St, Dublin. Held in conjunction with the Ecological and Sustainable Construction Association, the forum will look at green building, insulation options, ecological design and renewable energy. Contact 01-6746396.
Stewart is also among the line-up of speakers at the Irish Property Owners Association one-day conference on October 17th in Croke Park, Dublin. This conference will look at how Irish property owners will comply with the legal requirement (due in 2009) for energy rating on new and existing residential and non-residential buildings. Other speakers will address practical and global issues regarding energy efficiency and discuss the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, from which the energy rating requirement has emerged.
A public awareness campaign encouraging everyone to be more energy conscious kicks into action this week. Called, The Power of One, the countrywide campaign asks citizens what one thing they can change to become more energy-efficient. Meanwhile, an exhibition on climate change, mounted by SEI opened in ENFO, Andrews St, Dublin, earlier this week. School workshops for third to sixth class run throughout the exhibition until October 27th. See www.sei.ie for more details. And experts on renewable energy will partake in Energy Day in the Sonairte Ecology Centre, Laytown Road (near Bettystown), Co Meath, tomorrow from 10.30am-5pm. See www.sonairte.org.
Autumn in Airfield
The Airfield Trust, the urban farm in Dundrum, Dublin, has a lively programme of activities for young people this autumn. In association with the Dublin Naturalists Field Club, Declan Doogue will lead Saturday morning workshops on plant and animal identification for eight- to 13-year-olds. These sessions run on the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 12.30pm, starting on October 7th. Cost, €5 per session. Young visitors might like to join in the conker competitions at 2.15pm, also on October 7th (bring your own chestnuts). And on November 25th, puppeteer Helene Hugel will lead a workshop on puppet-making from waste materials. Contact 01-2984301 or www.airfield.ie.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council will have a series of free walking tours on every Sunday in October leaving from the People's Park at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4pm. Professional guides from the Dalkey Castle and Heritage Centre will lead the walks. See www.dlrevents.ie.
Hedging your best
Farmers, agricultural advisors, foresters, local authority personnel and the public should note that the Hedge-Laying Association of Ireland will give public demonstrations of the craft on Saturday next from 10am to 4pm at the Franciscan Brothers' farm, Agricultural College, Mount Bellew, Co Galway. Contact 087-2794045 or e-mail hlai@eircom.net.