Horizons

One of the highest profile eco-village projects, The Village, is currently seeking new members. Set up originally in 1999 by Gavin Harte and Greg Allen, The Village is currently checking out three different sites (in counties Carlow, Tipperary and Cavan) for the development of its project.

The aim is to build a rural cluster of houses following ecological principles, which will incorporate affordable housing and local enterprise development. The Village until July 6th, will show all 19 projects which were awarded prizes or special mention for excellence in architectural design. These include the Project Arts' Centre, Dublin (Shay Clearly Architects); the Irish Pavillion, Architectural Biennial, Venice, Italy (de Paor Architects); the Model Arts' Centre and Niland Gallery, Sligo (McCullough Mulvin Architects) and Smithfield Public Space (McGarry Ni Eanaigh Architects). Dalkey Castle and heritage centre is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission free.

Designing Cities, a day-long forum on the value of urban design goes ahead as part of the Cork midsummer festival on Tuesday in the Millennium Hall, Cork Corporation. Up for discussion are important topical issues such as the role of government and local authorities in setting the agenda to encourage better urban design and architecture, and the challenges of deciding between regeneration, re-design or a combination of both. There is an impressive line-up of speakers who include Joanna Averley, from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment in Britain, John Fitzgerald, City Manager from Dublin Corporation and Irish Times Environment Editor, Frank McDonald. Admission: £70/concession £25. Advance booking recommended. Contact the National Sculpture Factory on 021-4314353 or nsf@indigo.ie

Spanish architect Beth Gali who is working on the re-design of Patrick Street in Cork, will give a free public lecture on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery.

The current issue of Releafing Ireland, Crann's quarterly publication, describes Offaly County Council's recent decision to re-route the Tullamore bypass as a major victory for local community and environmental groups. The route was originally planned to cut through the southern part of Charleville Woods, which has some of the finest and oldest oak trees in the country.

One-third of the original bypass route will be altered so that it travels along the line of the existing Tullamore-Birr road (the N52) which separates Charleville Castle from the rest of the wooded estate. Under the EU habitats' directive, a development can only be approved in a special area of conservation (SAC), such as Charleville Wood, if there is no alternative solution or if the proposal is of overriding public interest. Neither was the case.

Duchas has now recommended an environmental impact assessment of the new route proposal and advised a hydrological survey of Charleville Lake as part of the assessment.