Back to summer school: Two well-known environmentalists, Dick Warner and Eánna Ní Lamhna, are among the facilitators at this year's Lough Ree Environmental Summer School.
It begins in Lanesborough, Co Longford, tomorrow. Now in its sixth year, the summer school is a good opportunity to learn about the environment in a natural, informal manner. Highlights of the week include Dick Warner's guided cruises on Lough Ree (morning and afternoon trips on Friday and Saturday next, leaving from Athlone), Eánna Ní Lamhna's botanical explorations in the woodlands (afternoons, Friday and Saturday next), a visit to Inchcleraun, an island in Lough Ree, where the ruins of six churches with early-Christian, Romanesque and Gothic features can be seen (Friday at 2.30 p.m.) and seminars on waste management and alternative energy. An arts festival programme with author readings and children's workshops runs concurrently.
For full programme tel: 043 27070. See also www.loughree.com
Georgian Dublin tours
Next Saturday, the Irish Georgian Society is offering its members a guided tour of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, which includes visits to two beautifully-restored homes on the squares. Led by the society's conservation officer, Mary Bryan, the tour is only open to members but, of course, new members are also welcome. Apart from visits to historical homes, the society also organises a series of lectures and appeals planning applications on significant buildings of merit. For more details tel: 01 6767053.
Making Mourne National Park
Plans to establish a National Park in the Mourne Mountains moved closer recently, when local farmers, walkers and tourist groups met to discuss its future. The idea to establish Northern Ireland's first National Park has been around for over a decade but it is only lately that any real impetus has been put behind the plans. The main thrust of arguments emerging from the one-day seminar was that people want a national park which is "of the Mournes and not just in the Mournes". As much of the land is in private ownership, this would mean maintaining close co-operation with the farming community and avoiding stand-off situations between walkers and land-owners. Those with ideas to share should send them to Graham Seymour, Environment and Heritage Services, Department of Environment, Adelaide Street, Belfast.
Tree for all
Calling all those interested in the preservation of mature native trees. The Ancient Tree Forum of Ireland is holding a day-long open meeting next Sunday (July 13th) at Mount Juliet Estate, Co Kilkenny. The event (which includes a walk through the demesne) starts at 9.30 a.m from the Hunters Yard car park. Admission is free but you must book your place by e-mailing Kate Crane at cranoggin@eircom.net