Horizons

The National Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Glencree, Co Wicklow, is a beautiful location for the tree planting ceremony tomorrow at 2 p.m. Co-ordinated by Forest Friends Ireland, the event aims both to celebrate the winter solstice and to commemorate the death of the Brazilian environmentalist, Chico Mendes, who was assassinated on December 22nd, 1988.

Members of Forest Friends Ireland (FFI) will plant holly as a symbol of Christmas and oak as an enduring symbol of biodiversity. "The oak tree sustains more life that any other native Irish tree with up to 200 insects and birds living from it. Also, it's very important for us to realise that by planting native hardwood trees, we are protecting the rainforests in Brazil by reducing the amount of hardwoods we need to import," says John Haughton of FFI.

Haughton hopes that people from all cultures living in Ireland and members of non-governmental environmental groups will travel to Glencree tomorrow to join in the ceremony. Forest Friends Ireland can be contacted on 01-8325415.

There are few organised hillwalks over the Christmas holidays this year because walking clubs are low in funds.

"Many walking clubs have very little finance due to the cancellation of events during the foot-and-mouth crisis earlier this year," says Colette Cowlard, assistant editor of Walking World Ireland. There are, however, three walks planned for St Stephen's Day, one in the Dublin/Wicklow region, one in Co Laois and the other in Ballyhoura country, which straddles counties Tipperary and Limerick.

The youth organisation, An ╙ige (which incidentally has many members over 30 years old) has scheduled a walk in the hills above Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, travelling by public transport from Dublin city centre. Those interested in joining regulars should meet at the 44 bus stop in Hawkins Street, Dublin, at 10.30 a.m. Non-members are welcome.

In Co Laois, the ninth annual Slieve Bloom Walk leaves from the Clonaslee Community Centre, Clonaslee, Co Laois, at noon and 1 p.m. This year's walk is a sponsored one in aid of the Laois Hospice Foundation (tel: 0502-21249 for more details).

The walk in the Ballyhoura country is 15 miles over forest track and mountains from Kilfinane to Ballyhea mountain crossing (tel: 063-90725 for directions to meeting-point at 10 a.m.).

An ╙ige has also scheduled a coastal walk from Bray to Dalkey on Sunday, December 30th, meeting outside Murphy's Laughter Lounge on Eden Quay, Dublin at 10.45 a.m.

New and experienced hillwalkers keen to find out about walking festivals and events in 2002 should check out the Walking World Ireland 2002 Annual on sale now.

Families keen to get out in the fresh air after the indulgence of Christmas can join in the St Stephen's Day and New Year treasure hunts of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) in Castle Espie, Comber, Co Down. The treasure hunts run daily until January 7th.

Birdwatchers will get an opportunity to use any new equipment received for Christmas time at the Birdwatch morning at the WWT on Thursday, December 27th. Suitable for beginners and more experienced birdwatchers alike, the guided walk begins at 11.30 a.m.

The WWT is located 12 miles from Belfast, just off the A22. Tel: 048-91-874146 or see www.wwt.org.uk for details of all events. Admission: adults £3.65/children £2.25 (€4.63/€2.86).

Most birdwatching clubs take a break from organised activities over the Christmas season. However, there are a few clubs which host annual outings once the Christmas turkey has been carved and eaten up. These include The West Cork club, which organises a post-Christmas walk in Rosscarbery to see the waders, gulls and ducks. Interested birdwatchers should join the group at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, west Cork at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 30th.

The Kerry birdwatching club have an annual Christmas outing to Killarney National Park, leaving from Killarney Cathedral at 11.30 a.m. on Thursday, December 27th.

See www.birdwatchireland.ie for more details of birdwatching activites for 2002.