Keeping Kenmare quaint: Kerry County Council has decided to refuse the development of a proposed "supertown" between Kenmare and the harbour.
The development would have been located in an area called the Peninsula, and would have included 300 residential units, including a three-storey apartment block, eating and drinking venues, car park and a major retail unit. The council refused on the grounds of increased traffic, lack of relief road and an inadequate supply of water in the town. A spokesperson for the Friends of the Irish Environment pointed to Kenmare's status as one of the few planned towns existing from the 18th century, and applauded the council's measure: "It would have overwhelmed the long-preserved layout of the town and equalled the combined existing retail facilities." The organisation hopes that the area will instead be developed as an amenity for the town, according to the views of the residents, and incorporate limited sustainable development.
Can you canoe?
You can't paddle your own canoe if you haven't got one, but a course offered by the Centre for Environmental Living and Training (CELT) in Scariff, Co Clare, can help you change that. A course over four consecutive weekends starting next Saturday will teach you how to build a timber-framed vessel covered with a canvas proofed with linseed oil - or, if you must, fibreglass. Alternatively, you could build a simple wooden craft similar to the old traditional turf boats. The course costs €400, plus €15 for membership (if applicable), with an extra €150-€180 for materials. Participants should have basic woodworking skills. Call 061-923041 or see www.celtnet.org for more details.
Sustainable farming in Clare
The BurrenLIFE project will be holding a Farm Demonstration Day today for the public in order to highlight their work in the field. The organisation supports a "farming for conservation" project to ensure local agriculture develops along lines that will allow the unique environment of the Burren, shaped by the elements and thousands of years of indigenous farming, to continue. The project works closely with farmers in the area to support advantageous practice for this area, which Ireland is obliged to protect. The event takes place today from 10am to 1pm on Slieve Carron and the farm of Jim Nagle, a LIFE farmer. Call 065-7089000 or see www.burrenlife.com for details.
Growing a school garden
Teachers who would like to create a vegetable, herb, fruit or wildlife garden at school for their pupils can avail of a special course given by the Organic Centre in Co Leitrim. It is offering a day-long course on site selection and preparation, seed sowing, growing from cuttings, establishing a school composting programme and more. As well as practical activities and theory, teachers will also get lots of ideas on how to work with kids in an outdoor environment.
The course takes place next Saturday, August 26th, and costs €80 including lunch and course materials. Call 071-9854338 or see www.theorganiccentre.ie for details.
EcoWeb
www.dublinwaste.ie
This site features a 'Free Trade' initiative run by the four Dublin local authorities, in which people can put unwanted goods on-line rather than just chuck them out. Items range from polo necks to push chairs.