Cultural heritage awardsIreland scooped two awards at the prestigious European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra awards, held this week in Madrid, Spain. The awards (second prizes) went to the founder of the Irish Georgian Society, Desmond Guinness, for 50 years of voluntary service to heritage, and to the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin for the restoration of the Palm House complex.
First-prize category awards of €10,000 each were awarded to the 16th-century Omeriye Ottoman Baths in Nicosia, Cyprus (conservation of architectural heritage), Via de la Plata, Extremadura, Spain (conservation of cultural landscapes), Edward Chambre Hardman Photographic Collection, Liverpool, England (conservation of works of art), Dr Anna Sulimowska-Ociepka and the Technical University of Silesia, Poland, (outstanding studies) and Maison Paysannes de France (dedicated service to heritage conservation). Europa Nostra is the pan-European federation for heritage, representing over 200 heritage NGOs. It works in partnership with the EU, the Council of Europe and Unesco. Previous Irish award-winning projects include Trim Castle, Co Meath; Leinster House, Dublin; and Kylemore Abbey walled garden, Co Galway. For the full list of awards, see www.europanostra.org.
People in green houses
More than 3,500 renewable energy grants for households have been approved by Sustainable Energy Ireland since the Government's Greener Homes Scheme was launched three months ago. According to SEI, the scheme has received more than 80 applications a day since it was launched at the end of March. Grants are available to householders for a range of renewable heat and electricity options. These include solar panels and wood pellet boilers. For more information on the Greener Homes Scheme, tel: 1850-734734, e-mail greenerhomes@sei.ie or see www.sei.ie.
On course for good life
"To live the good life means different things to different people but it is always about ideas, skills and confidence to make changes in your life at any level." So say the organisers of a five-day "good life" course from July 24th-28th in the Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim. Participants will be introduced to wholemeal baking, cheese making, growing and using fruit and herbs, sustainable house design and construction. There will also be yoga and relaxation, a seaweed walk and a visit to a local organic farm. Cost €550. For more details, tel: 071-9854338 or see www.theorganiccentre.ie.
Walk the Copper Coast
A series of hour-long summer walks have been organised along various sections of the Copper Coast European Geopark on Sundays and Wednesdays throughout July and August. The Copper Coast, which runs from west of Tramore to Stradbally, Co Waterford, is noted for its volcanic geology and history of copper mining. This week's walks start from Kilfarrsay car park (tomorrow, 3pm) and Annestown beach car park (Wednesday, 7pm). For the full programme, tel: 051-396179 or see www.coppercoastgeopark.com.
EcoWeb
www.heritageconservation.net
An international non-profit network which promotes the conservation of historic architecture and archaeological sites. Through the network, volunteers can join local conservation projects around the world.
