Irish Times joins Open House
More than 100 private and public buildings across Dublin city and county will open their doors to the public for free as part of the Irish Architecture Foundation's third annual Open House weekend, which runs from next Thursday until Sunday, October 19th . Buildings right across the spectrum of architectural styles and periods are included in the event, which is almost twice the size of last year's Open House. New additions this year include the landmark Irish Timesbuilding on Tara Street, the spectacular circular glass offices of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in Dún Laoghaire, the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield and the Alto Vetro glass tower contemporary apartment building in the Dublin docklands. Award-winning residences for older people, a new primary school and architect-designed private homes across the city will also be on view. A public debate asking Has Dublin Changed for the Better? will be chaired by broadcaster and historian John Bowman this Thursday, October 16th, at 6.30pm in Liberty Hall. A visual arts programme with outdoor movies and alternative architectural tours are also new to the programme this year. See architecturefoundation.ie for event times and details.
Biodiversity in Donegal
The importance of the interconnections between environment, biodiversity and health to our quality of life, sense of place and sustainable economics is the vast and worthy theme of a free one-day seminar in Ionad Cois Locha, Dunlewey, Co Donegal on Friday, October 24th. The potential benefits of integrating environment and health strategies at local, regional and national level will be discussed by speakers including Duncan Stewart, architect and broadcaster, Suzanne Skevington, chairwoman of the World Health Organisation quality of life initiative, Richard Douthwaite, eco-economist and Martin Devine, assistant national director of the HSE environmental health division. For more details and bookings call 074-9168000 or 074-9102107.
Learn to build efficiently
Chartered engineer Dr Patrick Waterfield will teach a building course based on his book The Energy Efficient Homeover six evenings at Cultivate, Temple Bar, Dublin. The course, which runs from October 22nd to December 3rd, will deal with all areas of the home in terms of renewable energies, insulation, water saving, energy rating and wider environmental issues. The course is run in partnership with the Environmental and Sustainable Construction Association and costs €180. Bookings on 01-6745773. Meanwhile, the fourth National Renewable Energy Heating conference goes ahead in the Shannon Shamrock Conference Centre, Bunratty, Co Clare on Friday. The focus this year will be on the importance of quality in design, supply and installation in renewable energy heating technologies. See renewableenergy.ie or call 061-514598.
Businesses get bonfire warning
South Dublin Green Party councillor Tony McDermott has urged businesses to play their part in preventing illegal Halloween bonfires. "The ritual combing of factory yards and shop delivery areas is just beginning. Tyres, pallets, cardboard and other flammable waste is being spirited away," says McDermott who is calling on owners and factory managers to keep waste material locked up so that it will not be collected and stockpiled.
ECOWEB
www.ceecc.org
Check out this site for details of this year's Connemara Sea Week which begins on Friday. The conference on Oct 25th-27th will hear experts talk about what we know and don't know about the western seaboard and the ocean beyond. Tel: 095-41034 for booking.
