Weather permitting, Christmas can be a good time for walking, writes SYLVIA THOMPSON
Walking the highways and byways over Christmas
Walking and hiking have enjoyed a resurgence in Ireland lately, and there’s no better time than the Christmas break to head for the hills – snow and ice permitting. Two four-hour guided moderate hikes are scheduled in the Dublin mountains: the first sets off from Tibradden car park at 10.30am on December 30th and the second from the Hell Fire car park at 11am on January 1st. You find more details at dublinmountains.ie.
Young climbers can join a Christmas Climbfest on New Year’s Eve in the Mardyke Arena, Cork city (mountaineering.ie). Hardier souls keen for a few days’ walking should check out walking breaks in Connemara, Co Galway (walkinghikingireland.com), or Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo (walkingguideireland.com).
Innovative project makes waves in Science Gallery
The Irish wave-energy company Wavebob won the award for the highest visitor investment in the Green Machines exhibition at Dublin’s Science Gallery. Visitors were invited to invest virtual money in the various eco-innovation projects, such as a bamboo bicycle and solar-powered pavement lighting. More than 30,000 people saw the Green Machines exhibition over the past two months (sciencegallery.com).
Remember to recycle that Christmas wrapping
Repak’s Christmas recycling campaign kicked off yesterday, encouraging everyone to recycle as much as possible. Every year there is an estimated 30 per cent increase in the volume of packaging produced at Christmas time. Each household produces about 47kg, which together comes to about 2.9 million green bins. So the message is clear: recycle everything you can (repak.ie).
Ecoweb
goal.ie
Check out locations throughout the country for the sponsored one-mile walks and runs in aid of Goal on Christmas Day,
St Stephen’s Day and later. People of all ages and abilities can join in this popular charitable initiative.