Horizons

Animal MagicUp to 5,000 people are expected to attend Animal Magic at Castle Espie, Comber, Co Down this weekend. Billed as the biggest wildlife conservation event ever to be held in Northern Ireland, Animal Magic offers adults and children a chance to see many wild animals and birds at close range.

Falcony displays, rare breed farm animals, reptiles and a sealife touch tank are among the activities arranged. Events run from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. today and tomorrow. Admission: adults £4, children £2.50, families £10.50, under fours free. See also www.wwt.org.uk.

Degree in digging

For every five kilometres of new road construction, at least one major prehistoric site will be encountered, according to recent estimates, and there has been a fourfold increase in licensed excavations from 300 in 1996 to 1,200 in 2001. The new science-based degree in archaeology, which begins at the Sligo Institute of Technology in September, hopes to address the current need for more field archaeologists. Specifically geared towards applied archaeology, the four-year B.Sc. course is the first of its kind in Ireland. Due to a delay in funding, it is not, however, part of the CAO process, and students interested in applying must contact the Admissions Office, Institute of Technology, Sligo. Tel: 071 55222 or e-mail casserly.emma@itsligo.ie for an application form. Closing date is Thursday, July 24th. Mature students are also welcome to apply.

Better building theory

Public taste in architecture is slowly turning towards more ecologically-

sound building and design principles. Peter Cowman's day-long workshop on Living Architecture: A New Look at Building Homes in the Organic Centre, Rossinver, Co Leitrim on July 12th will be of interest to builders and designers alike. Cost: €70. More details on tel: 071 9854338. See also www.livingarchitecturecentre.com.The use of traditional building materials, tools and techniques will be demonstrated during a month-long House Building Project in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo this summer. From Tuesday to Saturday each week from July 22nd to August 23rd, wattle weaver, Joe Gowran, thatcher, Brian Rogers and plasterers from the Traditional Lime Company will construct a biodegradable structure made from wood, earth, stone and straw. Call by and view the work in progress. Also, workshops on Wednesdays at 2.30 p.m. throughout the project.

Spotting breeding birds

Ireland lost about seven regularly breeding bird species in the last century, including the white-tailed eagle, the golden eagle, and the corn bunting. Some of these birds could return naturally and the golden eagle is currently being re-introduced. However, according to Paul Hillis, from Birdwatch Ireland, there are other species whose geographical distribution are unknown because they are such rare breeders, such as the little egret and the nightjar. Hillis is currently seeking help from keen birdwatchers to record sightings of rare Irish breeding birds. Tel: 01 2804322 or e-mail info@birdwatchireland.org.