Horizons

The dangers of the inappropriate disposal of toxic waste, the poor quality of many Irish drinking water supplies and the high levels of greenhouse-gas emissions are among the key environmental issues to be discussed and dissected next week in a conference at University College Dublin (see Michael Viney's Another Life below).

"The main idea is to inform ourselves as to how we are performing in terms of the environment and what the future holds across all the environmental areas - agriculture, transport, industry, water and air," says Prof Frank Convery, Heritage Trust professor of environmental studies at UCD. "In a whole spectrum of areas, we have had a poor or reasonable performance, but we are heading in the wrong direction. The good news is that with a reasonably modest effort, we can turn the situation around."

Up to 150 delegates are expected at the conference, "Challenge and Achievement". Lectures begin on Monday and continue until Friday. See www.environmental

economics.net for more details.

In an attempt to increase the appallingly low amount of native tree cover in Ireland, Conservation Volunteers Ireland, in association with the Forest Service at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, is organising seed-collection points throughout the country in October. Private landowners and groups who wish to participate in seed-collecting activities should contact CVI as soon as possible to include their events in the countrywide schedule. Tel:01-4547185 or e-mail info@cvi.ie. Details of seed-collecting events will be in this column on October 6th.

The acclaimed work of landscape and seascape photographer Harry Cory Wright can be seen from this month at Park Hotel, Kenmare, Co Kerry. His exhibition of Atlantic views, which got a huge response in London, is coming to Ireland for the first time. Cory Wright's spectacular images of the British and Irish Atlantic coastline have also been collected in a book, Atlantic: Views of the Atlantic Ocean, published by Saltwater Books, and limited-edition prints are available. For further information, go to the Saltwater Books website, www.saltwater.co.uk or phone 0044-1485-210049.

Today and tomorrow are the last two days of National Heritage Week, with many castles, museums, parks and forests all over the country hosting free guided tours and walks. Here is a small sample of what's on:

Larchhill Arcadian Gardens in Kilcock, Co Kildare is hosting a national poultry and rare breeds sale today from noon to 5 p.m.

There will be a tour of the partially restored Shackleton Flour Mills, Lucan, Co Dublin tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Medieval characters will be wandering through Cahir Castle in Cahir, Co Tipperary, tomorrow in the town's medieval fair

Paul Duffy, the wildlife ranger for Co Louth, will lead walks along the Boyne River tomorrow at 3 p.m., starting from the Br· na B≤inne Visitor Centre in Co Louth

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, more than 140 buildings are open to visitors free of charge today and tomorrow. There will be guided walks in many historic towns and villages. Tel: 048-9054 3078 for details.

horizons@irish-times.ie

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