A big thank you to everyone who turned out for Biodiversity day. Great, informative day, with loads of noteworthy bits and pieces.
The cross border dimension was especially heartwarming, as was the variety of events and people.
Pics and more info will follow soon
Ollie
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Whats on in the Greenbox area
JUNE
Fri 1 Second Line Jazzband, Ardhowen 9pm (Gallery Bar) Tickets £8
Sat 2 (Trade Union Diversity Project in partnership with Fermanagh County Museum. Trails and activities free to participants and offer an opportunity for migrants and local people to share their experiences and learn about one another’s history and culture. Contact the Trade Union Diversity Project to book a place on 028 6632 2379)
Famine Culture & History Trail facilitated by Bronagh Cleary.
Visiting Enniskillen Workhouse, the Pauper’s Graveyard in Irvinestown and Ardess
Famine Pit near Kesh. 10.45am to 2pm.
Sat 2, Sun 3 ‘Old, New, Borrowed & Blue’ Rural Ulster & American Frontier Weddings at the Ulster American Folk Park
Sat 2 The Dizi Jazz Band, Ardhowen 9pm (Gallery Bar) Tickets £8
Sun 3 Jazz It Up with the Martello Jazz Band at Castle Coole,
3-5pm. Adult £3, Child £1.50. Family £7.50. Members free
Fri 8 to Sun 10 Ashtanga Yoga, Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Innishbeg, Blaney,
Enniskillen. Details from 028 686 41525
Fri 8 2007 Flight of the Earls. Project – the re-enactment of the inauguration of the
Maguires at the Moate Ring, Lisnaskea. Vicky Herbert on 028 677 21730
Sat 9 (Trade Union Diversity Project in partnership with Fermanagh County Museum.
(028 6632 2379)
A Famine Culture & History Zone facilitated by Catherine Scott 2.30pm to 4pm
Arrive at Enniskillen Castle Museums for a Famine Fermanagh Culture Zone. Discussion of main issues, workhouses, emigration and famine deaths. General tour of the Enniskillen Castle Complex by Phillip Orr. Hear about 600 years of life at Enniskillen Castle
Sat 9 EHSNI Archaeology Days – Enniskillen Castle 3pm
Philip Orr will give a tour of the castle complex, explaining the diverse usage through the ages. Meet in the Museum. Free event. Further info from 028 66 325000
Mon 11 Annual Mini Soccer Competition for Primary School Girls organised
By the Brendan Keogh Youth League, Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown 6.30pm
Fri 15 – Sun 17 Surf Week-end at Corralea Activity Centre, Belcoo. Special offer 2 nights self catering in Corralea Cottages, surf coaching for 1 ½ day with qualified surf instructor. All equipment provided – wetsuit, surfboard and leash. Beaches: Tullan and Rossnowlagh. Price £97 or 145 Euros. Price for non –resident 85 euros or £57. Details from Marius and Isabelle Leonard on 028 66 386123, email corralea@activityireland.com Website http://www.activityireland.com/
Sat 16 EHSNI Archaeology Days 2007 – Devenish . 11am to 5.30pm
Gain an insight into monastic life on this holy island as EHS brings living history to Devenish. Launched on Archaeology Weekend and continuing every weekend through until European Heritage Days on 8th and 9th September. Further information from 028 6862 1588 or 028 9054 3037
Sat 16 EHSNI Archaeology Days 2007- Tully Castle. 11am to 4pm
Living history, armoury display and storytelling. Free admission.
(For schools Mon 18th and Fri 22 June 10am to 3pm)
Details from 028 6862 1588 or 028 9054 3037
Sat 16 (Trade Union Diversity Project in partnership with Fermanagh County Museum.
Gaelic & Plantation Fermanagh – Trail facilitated by Catherine Scott.
Visit three Plantation Castles, Enniskillen, Tully and Monea.
Sat 16 Good Sense of Humour in association with Noel Gay Artists presents The Trap,
Ardhowen 8pm Tickets £8, concession £7 comedy.
Sat 16, Sun 17 Yoga/Painting Weekend, , Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Innishbeg, Blaney, Enniskillen. Details from 028 686 41525
Wed 20 Ulster Project Annual Concert, Ardhowen 8pm Tickets £7, concession £6
Fri 22 Strawcraft Workshops, Aughakillymaude Mummers Centre, Derrylin
Further info from Jim Ledwith on 028 6774 2727
Fri 22 Traditional Music Session and launch of Mumming DVD,
Aughakillymaude Community Centre, Derrylin 8.30pm.
Further info from Jim Ledwith on 028 6774 2727
Fri 22, Sat 23 City Theatre Dublin presents THE MATCHMAKER by John B Keane,
Starring Anne Charleston and Mick Lally Ardhowen 8pm Tickets £12, concession
£10.
Sat 23 Midsummer Fest! Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Innishbeg, Blaney,
Enniskillen. Details from 028 686 41525
Sat 23 (Trade Union Diversity Project in partnership with Fermanagh County Museum.
Gaelic & Plantation Fermanagh. A special event as part of the Summer of Costumes, Characters and Culture at the Castle. The Medieval Maguire Castle will be brought to life with a living history project.
Sat 23 EHSNI Archaeology Days 2007- Tully Castle. 11am to 4pm
Living history, armoury display and storytelling. Free admission.
(For schools Mon 18th and Fri 22 June 10am to 3pm)
Details from 028 6862 1588 or 028 9054 3037
Sat 23 Mid Summer Solstice Bonfire, Knockninny Mountain, Derrylin at
9.30pm followed by Mid Summer Ball, 11pm Aughakillymaude Mummers Centre,
Derrylin. Further info from Jim Ledwith on 028 6774 2727
Sat 23 Multicultural event with music, food and entertainment at
Innish Beg Cottages and Yoga Spa Centre. Details from 028 6864 1525
Sat 23 Summer of Costumes, Characters and Culture at the Castle
Archaeology Day – Meet the Medieval Maguires. Enniskillen Castle
2.30pm to 4.30pm. Details from 028 6632 5000
Sat 23, Sun 24 Bordertrek Cycle Event – Enniskillen to Sligo Details from Eddie McGovern on 028 66 325050 or Winnie Orr on 028 9032 1462 Events@cooperationireland.org
Sun 24 Medieval Fair & Have a Go Day, Crom, Newtownbutler 11am-6pm. Witness Knights test their mettle in horseback jousting, swordfighting demonstrations, falconry, blacksmithing and all kinds of historical re-enactments.Adult £5, Child £3, Family £15. Member Adult £5, Child £3, Family £15 Details from 028 6773 8118
Mon 25 to Fri 29 Yoga/Painting Week, Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Innishbeg, Blaney,
Enniskillen. Details from 028 686 41525
Tues 26, Wed 27 Lough Erne Swimming Challenge. Details from Keith Collen 028 66 325050
Thurs 28 Vicarage Productions presents The Knicker Lady by Rosemary Hawthorne,
Ardhowen 8pm Tickets £8
Fri 29 to July 1 Creative Dance, Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Innishbeg, Blaney,
Enniskillen. Details from 028 686 41525
Sat 30 (Trade Union Diversity Project in partnership with Fermanagh County Museum. (028 6632 2379)
Devenish Island: Early Christian Culture & History Trail facilitated by Catherine Scott. Travel on the St Molaise to Devenish Island. Explore the Island of Oxen, the early Christian monastery and the later settlements on the island.
Invitation to
Herbs and Health
Herb Day with Judith Hoad – at The Organic Centre,
Rossinver, Co. Leitrim on Sunday 17th June 11am -5pm
The term "Herb" covers many different plants from several botanical families.
Herbs relate to health, their aroma delights the senses, they are rich in vitamins, minerals and natural antibiotics, they aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and support the innate healing process. Staff, students and lecturers of the centre will present talks, walks and demonstrations and explore the health benefits of herbs. We will officially open our new mint spiral and open air tea-bar with a selection of more than 20 mints.
Our guest speaker this year is Judith Hoad, honorary member of the Irish Association of Medical Herbalists, who has widely written on herbs and herbal remedies. She will talk about ‘Eating your way around the weed patch’.
Naturopath and Herbalist Gaby Wieland will demonstrate how to make tinctures and infused oils. The Grass Roof Café will be open with herbal dishes and entrance fee is €5.
"I hope that exploring the plant life around the fields, city parks, cottage gardens or window-boxes amongst which you live will enrich your life, as it has enriched mine."
(Judith Hoad) Herbalist, alternative practitioners, who use herbs and their associations will inform visitors about their work. For more information call The Organic Centre on 071-9854338
e-mail: organiccentre@eircom.net, http://www.theorganiccentre.ie/
More herbal events coming up:
Friday June 15th 7.30pm: Herb Extravaganza Night in the Grass Roof Café, €35pp
Multi course meal with an incredible array of herbs from Thyme to Tarragon, Mint to Marjoram in dishes from soup and starters to dips and desserts. Sunday June 24th , 10am -5pm: Herbs for Life – Using Herbs Medicinally with Gaby Wieland and Liz Longworth with practical sessions on making tinctures and ointments, €90 pp Saturday August 4th, 10am -5pm: Herbal Cream Making workshop with Sean Callaghy, €90pp
Links to websites of interest for the network
http://www.greenislandtourism.org/ About the Isle of Wight and green tourism
http://www.travelmole.com/haveyoursay.php travel advice website
http://www.jayceeprinters.com/ eco friendly printers
http://www.travelmole.com/haveyoursay.php travel advice website
http://www.jayceeprinters.com/ eco friendly printers
Eco-Rockin' all over the world
In July, dozens of pop stars will jet off to save the world via the Live Earth concerts, but who will save us from these ego-friendly celebs, asks Roísín Ingle (The Irish Times Weekend Review, Saturday, April 14, 2007)
Al Gores Live Earth was always going to spark a heated debate. In one corner we have the influential eco-worriers hooking up with canny popstar folk desperate to save the planet- or desperate, at any rate, to be seen to be saving the planet. In the other corner, the naysayers are busy pointing out that perhaps these ego-friendly popstars with their vast property portfolios, powerful cars and extensive shoe collections- Jimmy Choes rather than Birkenstocks obviously- may not be the best people to set a green example to the world.
This is a community who, let’s face it, would pop down to the shops in their private jets if they were let, so asking them to lecture the rest of us on our environmental duties is about as rich as Live Earth concert headliner Madonna. It’s no surprise that in some quarters the 24-hour musical extravaganza which will span seven continents is being billed as the smugfest to be seen at this summer.
The July concert, organised by Gore’s group SOS (Save Our Selves), will see 150 musicians taking part in seven concerts across the world in a bid to “trigger a mass-scale movement to combat our climate crisis”, according to the Live Earth website. (Every time you log on the website an ominous end-of-the-world drum roll is played, just in case you weren’t sure how scary this global warming stuff really is.)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, The Rolling Stones and, naturally Green Day are some of the other acts on board, and it’s expected that the gigs will be beamed live to two billion viewers via television or the internet. Rumors that Paul McCartney will sing Here Comes the Sun have not been substantiated but, when it comes to global conscience-salving exercise, anything is possible
Between now and July we are going to be hearing a lot more from celebrities about energy efficient lightbulbs and compost bins and the like. At the launch of Live Earth, one of their celebrity spokesmodels, actress Cameron Diaz explained that her own personal planet friendly regime included driving a hybrid Prius, recycling and “carbon neutral travel”. Cammie was brimming with enthusiasm as she pointed out that the planet was, like, totally savable if people just changed their behavior. “We don’t need to build some giant machine that goes up in the air and sucks all the carbon into outer space,” she said. But what about making one for all the planet-saving celebrities?
Al Gores Live Earth was always going to spark a heated debate. In one corner we have the influential eco-worriers hooking up with canny popstar folk desperate to save the planet- or desperate, at any rate, to be seen to be saving the planet. In the other corner, the naysayers are busy pointing out that perhaps these ego-friendly popstars with their vast property portfolios, powerful cars and extensive shoe collections- Jimmy Choes rather than Birkenstocks obviously- may not be the best people to set a green example to the world.
This is a community who, let’s face it, would pop down to the shops in their private jets if they were let, so asking them to lecture the rest of us on our environmental duties is about as rich as Live Earth concert headliner Madonna. It’s no surprise that in some quarters the 24-hour musical extravaganza which will span seven continents is being billed as the smugfest to be seen at this summer.
The July concert, organised by Gore’s group SOS (Save Our Selves), will see 150 musicians taking part in seven concerts across the world in a bid to “trigger a mass-scale movement to combat our climate crisis”, according to the Live Earth website. (Every time you log on the website an ominous end-of-the-world drum roll is played, just in case you weren’t sure how scary this global warming stuff really is.)
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce, The Rolling Stones and, naturally Green Day are some of the other acts on board, and it’s expected that the gigs will be beamed live to two billion viewers via television or the internet. Rumors that Paul McCartney will sing Here Comes the Sun have not been substantiated but, when it comes to global conscience-salving exercise, anything is possible
Between now and July we are going to be hearing a lot more from celebrities about energy efficient lightbulbs and compost bins and the like. At the launch of Live Earth, one of their celebrity spokesmodels, actress Cameron Diaz explained that her own personal planet friendly regime included driving a hybrid Prius, recycling and “carbon neutral travel”. Cammie was brimming with enthusiasm as she pointed out that the planet was, like, totally savable if people just changed their behavior. “We don’t need to build some giant machine that goes up in the air and sucks all the carbon into outer space,” she said. But what about making one for all the planet-saving celebrities?
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Harvest Feast 2007
I attended the launch event for the Harvest Feast it was at the Lough Allen Ramada Hotel Drumshanbo on May 29th.Special guest for the day was Clodagh McKenna, chef, food writer and media presenter, Clodagh currently has her own series on RTE1 which is based on her book .The Irish Farmers Market Cook Book. The launch was a great success attended by over50 people with representatives from the media, agencies and service suppliers and producers.
The Harvest Feast is the work of the conbined partnership of The Western Organic Network , The Food Hub, The Greenbox,and Saint Angelas College in Lough Gill, and the Organic Centre
Monday, May 21, 2007
what's on for may and june
upcomings in the region and of relevance slightly further afield folks:
first things first: biodiversity day tomorow!. Chick on the link here for this and a few other events we have up and coming, including green landscaping and solstice celebration (also available through the links on the right)
-----------
On Wednesday, May 30th, 15 local experts will be available to discuss how technology can improve your business. These experts from all over Leitrim have vast experience and expertise in professional web development, selling online, graphic design, digital media, mobile technology and internet marketing to name a few. The developer of a new website, shopinleitrim.com, will also be attending.
This free event runs from 4pm to 7pm in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.
Full details including the list of exhibitors can be seen at this link
-------------
Raft Race
At Lough Uinsin Cashelard on Saturday 9th June at 3 PM Everyone Welcome
All Funds Raised go Towards Cashelard Community Festival
Presentation of Trophy to the Winning Team At a special evening of music/grub and entertainment with Donegal's Most Famous Fiddler Mat McGranaghan & Friends in the
Breesy Centre At 9 PM – Tickets Available from The Breesy Centre 071 98 22925
Entry Fee €40.00 per raft, 4 persons per Team – Please contact
Brendan Whoriskey 071 98 51683 or Brian Doyle at 087 233 7667, Ruth Meade 071 98 22925 for Entry Details.
-------------
what's on in Fermanagh at the mo? an a-z available click here to see
---------
free listing for all network members on the new and already award winning sustainability site: www.greenbee.ie . Contact Gina through the site.
---------
Northern Ireland Environmental Link's site has plenty of event's listed as upcoming for may and june: see here
-------------
news on an upcoming environmental auditoring course available here
---------
loads celebratory, yoga and art-related events coming up in the Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre: Yoga/Painting weekend 26/27 may and 16/17 June and 25-29 June Week with Jill Mulligan(Artist) and Gabriele tottenham (Yoga.)Asthanga weekend with amazing and vibrant Richard Spahn, who will be first time here in the Northwest,Greenbox area,
abrilliant weekend for all Yoga enthusiasts, no to be missed on 8/9 June.
Both weekends are residentail or non residential possible.
23 June 2007 Midsummer celebration fest, an multicultural evening with Music, Food, fun click here and have a look
-----------
new regional cross border tourism mag:
Creative Tourism welcomes any Tourism businesses that would be interested in receiving some copies of the magazine to contact the office in Ballyshannon on +353 (0)719852822.
Sandra Colton
Project Manager
CREATIVE TOURISM
Lakeside Centre, Belleek Road, Ballyshannon
Co Donegal +353 (0)719852822
-----------
all the latest EU flower news is available here
first things first: biodiversity day tomorow!. Chick on the link here for this and a few other events we have up and coming, including green landscaping and solstice celebration (also available through the links on the right)
-----------
On Wednesday, May 30th, 15 local experts will be available to discuss how technology can improve your business. These experts from all over Leitrim have vast experience and expertise in professional web development, selling online, graphic design, digital media, mobile technology and internet marketing to name a few. The developer of a new website, shopinleitrim.com, will also be attending.
This free event runs from 4pm to 7pm in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.
Full details including the list of exhibitors can be seen at this link
-------------
Raft Race
At Lough Uinsin Cashelard on Saturday 9th June at 3 PM Everyone Welcome
All Funds Raised go Towards Cashelard Community Festival
Presentation of Trophy to the Winning Team At a special evening of music/grub and entertainment with Donegal's Most Famous Fiddler Mat McGranaghan & Friends in the
Breesy Centre At 9 PM – Tickets Available from The Breesy Centre 071 98 22925
Entry Fee €40.00 per raft, 4 persons per Team – Please contact
Brendan Whoriskey 071 98 51683 or Brian Doyle at 087 233 7667, Ruth Meade 071 98 22925 for Entry Details.
-------------
what's on in Fermanagh at the mo? an a-z available click here to see
---------
free listing for all network members on the new and already award winning sustainability site: www.greenbee.ie . Contact Gina through the site.
---------
Northern Ireland Environmental Link's site has plenty of event's listed as upcoming for may and june: see here
-------------
news on an upcoming environmental auditoring course available here
---------
loads celebratory, yoga and art-related events coming up in the Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre: Yoga/Painting weekend 26/27 may and 16/17 June and 25-29 June Week with Jill Mulligan(Artist) and Gabriele tottenham (Yoga.)Asthanga weekend with amazing and vibrant Richard Spahn, who will be first time here in the Northwest,Greenbox area,
abrilliant weekend for all Yoga enthusiasts, no to be missed on 8/9 June.
Both weekends are residentail or non residential possible.
23 June 2007 Midsummer celebration fest, an multicultural evening with Music, Food, fun click here and have a look
-----------
new regional cross border tourism mag:
Creative Tourism welcomes any Tourism businesses that would be interested in receiving some copies of the magazine to contact the office in Ballyshannon on +353 (0)719852822.
Sandra Colton
Project Manager
CREATIVE TOURISM
Lakeside Centre, Belleek Road, Ballyshannon
Co Donegal +353 (0)719852822
-----------
all the latest EU flower news is available here
Friday, May 11, 2007
Cookery Demonstration
There is a cookery demonstration by Neven Maguire of MacNean's Bistro, Blacklion in the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen on Tuesday 15th. May @ 8pm.
Proceeds will go to the local Blacklion Golf Club. The tickets are 15/€20 Please pass on the word to others.
Proceeds will go to the local Blacklion Golf Club. The tickets are 15/€20 Please pass on the word to others.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Herb Day Organic Centre
The Organic Centre Herbs and Health Day
Herb Day with Judith Hoad – at The Organic Centre,
Rossinver, Co. Leitrim on Sunday 17th June 11am -5pm
The term “Herb” covers many different plants from several botanical families.
Herbs relate to health, their aroma delights the senses, they are rich in vitamins, minerals and natural antibiotics, they aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and support the innate healing process.
Staff, students and lecturers of the centre will present talks, walks and demonstrations and explore the health benefits of herbs. We will officially open our new mint spiral and open air tea-bar with a selection of 32 mints.
Our guest speaker this year is Judith Hoad, honorary member of the Irish Association of Medical Herbalists, who has widely written on herbs and herbal remedies. She will talk about ‘Eating your way around the weed patch’.
The Grass Roof Café will be open with herbal dishes and entrance fee is €5.
“I hope that exploring the plant life around the fields, city parks, cottage gardens or window-boxes amongst which you live will enrich your life, as it has enriched mine.”
(Judith Hoad)
We invite herbalist, alternative practitioners, who use herbs and their associations to have a stall on the day and inform our visitors and the public about their work.
For more information call The Organic Centre on 071-9854338,
e-mail: organiccentre@eircom.net, www.theorganiccentre.ie
Friday June 15th 7.30pm:
Herb Extravaganza Night in the Grass Roof Café, €35pp
Multi course meal with an incredible array of herbs from Thyme to Tarragon, Mint to Marjoram in dishes from soup and starters to dips and desserts.
Saturday June 16th, 10am -5pm: Herbs for Life – Using Herbs Medicinally with Gaby Wieland and Liz Longworth with practical sessions on making tinctures and ointments, €90 pp
Herb Day with Judith Hoad – at The Organic Centre,
Rossinver, Co. Leitrim on Sunday 17th June 11am -5pm
The term “Herb” covers many different plants from several botanical families.
Herbs relate to health, their aroma delights the senses, they are rich in vitamins, minerals and natural antibiotics, they aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and support the innate healing process.
Staff, students and lecturers of the centre will present talks, walks and demonstrations and explore the health benefits of herbs. We will officially open our new mint spiral and open air tea-bar with a selection of 32 mints.
Our guest speaker this year is Judith Hoad, honorary member of the Irish Association of Medical Herbalists, who has widely written on herbs and herbal remedies. She will talk about ‘Eating your way around the weed patch’.
The Grass Roof Café will be open with herbal dishes and entrance fee is €5.
“I hope that exploring the plant life around the fields, city parks, cottage gardens or window-boxes amongst which you live will enrich your life, as it has enriched mine.”
(Judith Hoad)
We invite herbalist, alternative practitioners, who use herbs and their associations to have a stall on the day and inform our visitors and the public about their work.
For more information call The Organic Centre on 071-9854338,
e-mail: organiccentre@eircom.net, www.theorganiccentre.ie
Friday June 15th 7.30pm:
Herb Extravaganza Night in the Grass Roof Café, €35pp
Multi course meal with an incredible array of herbs from Thyme to Tarragon, Mint to Marjoram in dishes from soup and starters to dips and desserts.
Saturday June 16th, 10am -5pm: Herbs for Life – Using Herbs Medicinally with Gaby Wieland and Liz Longworth with practical sessions on making tinctures and ointments, €90 pp
International Compost Awareness Week 2007 6th – 12th May
‘Renew the cycle of life’.
During compost awareness week (6th-12th May 2007) an innovative new company, Hug the Bundle is raising awareness of composting to contribute to a reduction in waste sent to landfill in the Fermanagh area. Compost awareness week shows that everyone can get involved to help the environment.
Hug the Bundle is working to inspire parents to reuse household waste and turn this into compost. The aim is to show how easy, convenient and inexpensive composting can be. A key way parents can work to reduce household waste is to consider using environmentally friendly compostable nappies as an alternative to disposables.
According to the Womens Environmental Network (WEN) “Nearly 3 billion nappies are thrown away in the UK every year. The vast majority of these (90%) end up in landfill”.
Ms Gilmartin reports that “although the use of cloth nappies is becoming more popular, compostable nappies can provide a viable alternative especially if you are traveling, working full time, or use a childminder who prefers to use disposables. Biodegradable nappies are free from chemicals, much better for the environment and provide a perfect solution to this problem”
To celebrate international compost awareness week Hug the Bundle has compiled a comprehensive online guide to composting and is offering a FREE pack of sunflower seeds to everyone who visits the website. Log on to www.hugthebundle.com for more information. (Limited supply!!!)
International composting week is coordinated by The Composting Association. The Composting Association is the United Kingdom’s not for profit membership organisation for the promotion of the sustainable management of biodegradable resources. This year the central theme for the campaign is Compost: make it, buy it, use it.
“Compost Awareness Week is an international multi-media publicity and education initiative designed to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use. It aims to encourage everyone in the UK to take action to support composting at all levels and to use composts. This initiative began in Canada in 1995 and was brought to the UK for the first time in 2001 by the Composting Association”.
Hug the Bundle is an all new organic, environmentally friendly website based in Belleek, Co.Fermanagh. As well as stocking top brand cloth nappies we also stock an extensive range of organic baby clothes, organic mother and baby skincare, fair-trade jigsaws and hand knit hats and scarves.
For more information please contact
Marian Gilmartin
9 Main Street
Belleek
Co.Fermanagh
N.Ireland
BT93 3FY
URL: info@hugthebundle.com
Web: www.hugthebundle.com
Tel: 07930679985
‘Renew the cycle of life’.
During compost awareness week (6th-12th May 2007) an innovative new company, Hug the Bundle is raising awareness of composting to contribute to a reduction in waste sent to landfill in the Fermanagh area. Compost awareness week shows that everyone can get involved to help the environment.
Hug the Bundle is working to inspire parents to reuse household waste and turn this into compost. The aim is to show how easy, convenient and inexpensive composting can be. A key way parents can work to reduce household waste is to consider using environmentally friendly compostable nappies as an alternative to disposables.
According to the Womens Environmental Network (WEN) “Nearly 3 billion nappies are thrown away in the UK every year. The vast majority of these (90%) end up in landfill”.
Ms Gilmartin reports that “although the use of cloth nappies is becoming more popular, compostable nappies can provide a viable alternative especially if you are traveling, working full time, or use a childminder who prefers to use disposables. Biodegradable nappies are free from chemicals, much better for the environment and provide a perfect solution to this problem”
To celebrate international compost awareness week Hug the Bundle has compiled a comprehensive online guide to composting and is offering a FREE pack of sunflower seeds to everyone who visits the website. Log on to www.hugthebundle.com for more information. (Limited supply!!!)
International composting week is coordinated by The Composting Association. The Composting Association is the United Kingdom’s not for profit membership organisation for the promotion of the sustainable management of biodegradable resources. This year the central theme for the campaign is Compost: make it, buy it, use it.
“Compost Awareness Week is an international multi-media publicity and education initiative designed to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use. It aims to encourage everyone in the UK to take action to support composting at all levels and to use composts. This initiative began in Canada in 1995 and was brought to the UK for the first time in 2001 by the Composting Association”.
Hug the Bundle is an all new organic, environmentally friendly website based in Belleek, Co.Fermanagh. As well as stocking top brand cloth nappies we also stock an extensive range of organic baby clothes, organic mother and baby skincare, fair-trade jigsaws and hand knit hats and scarves.
For more information please contact
Marian Gilmartin
9 Main Street
Belleek
Co.Fermanagh
N.Ireland
BT93 3FY
URL: info@hugthebundle.com
Web: www.hugthebundle.com
Tel: 07930679985
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Greenish Pub Quiz
Hello Everybody
Ian Wasson and John O Neil are rasing funds for charity and they asked us to post this information here.
Green(ish!) Pub Quiz
(…Your usual pub quiz with a few environmental twists)
Venue The Castle Pub, Manorhamilton
Thursday May 10th
Quiz starts 8.30 pm sharp!
7 euro per person
All proceeds to in support of:
The “Bluestack Foundation”, a charitable body committed to enhancing the lives of People with Special Needs
http://www.mageebluestackchallenge.com/
Followed by music session with
DJ Ollie Moore –(Electric Picnic 07 & Garden Party 07)
funky reggae, latin funk, ska & afro beats
(Pressuredropped.blogspot.com)
Bí ann!
Ian Wasson and John O Neil are rasing funds for charity and they asked us to post this information here.
Green(ish!) Pub Quiz
(…Your usual pub quiz with a few environmental twists)
Venue The Castle Pub, Manorhamilton
Thursday May 10th
Quiz starts 8.30 pm sharp!
7 euro per person
All proceeds to in support of:
The “Bluestack Foundation”, a charitable body committed to enhancing the lives of People with Special Needs
http://www.mageebluestackchallenge.com/
Followed by music session with
DJ Ollie Moore –(Electric Picnic 07 & Garden Party 07)
funky reggae, latin funk, ska & afro beats
(Pressuredropped.blogspot.com)
Bí ann!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Solstice special: archaeology, heritage and cultural history in the gyreum, 20-21st June
Archaeology, Heritage & Cultural History
Description
This training will increase network members’ knowledge of the archaeological, heritage and cultural history of Ireland in general but of the counties of the Greenbox region in particular.
Content
Exploration of the various monuments in the Irish countryside taking into account their association with the Neolithic (New Stone Age), Bronze Age, Iron Age leading into Christian Age and Early Medieval Age.
An exercise to allow network members understand various aspects of the lives of the people who lived in the Neolithic period.
Guided visits to Heapstown Cairn and Carrowkeel Passage Cairn Complex.
Delivery
Thursday 21st June 2007, 8.30pm-11.30pm & Friday 22nd June 9.30am –1.30pm at the Gyreum, Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo. Option to see dawn at the Gyreum. Free to Greenbox Network Members, overnight accommodation available €18, payable at Gyreum
Methodology of Delivery
The training will encompass facilitation methodology including visualization, power point presentation, group discussions, question and answer sessions and guided visits to local sites that will allow participants experience both the physical and spiritual aspects to these sites.
Outcomes
Participants will deepen their knowledge, awareness and understanding of Ireland’s ancient cultural history, in particular of Ireland’s ancient people and sites.
Participants will increase their awareness of the region’s archeological heritage which will help them interact with visitors in a more informed way. In particular, an understanding of the unique range of regional archaeological heritage will be developed. This will help give participants a comparative advantage in national terms, as the region has an abundance of archaeologically significant sites.
Participants will be enthused about both the regional and national heritage and landscape, and see possibilities for promoting their local heritage and environment.
Other Events At Gyreum
• Exhibition of paintings by local artist Monica Corish entitled ‘Inscapes & Seascapes’ running from June 20th to August 20th
• Archaeology weekend June 23rd & 24th, details on www.passport-breifne.com
• Sustainable Landscaping June 6th - 21st visit info on sustianable landscaping and building for network.doc
• Eurovision Special May 11th & 12th, visit www.passport-breifne.com
Description
This training will increase network members’ knowledge of the archaeological, heritage and cultural history of Ireland in general but of the counties of the Greenbox region in particular.
Content
Exploration of the various monuments in the Irish countryside taking into account their association with the Neolithic (New Stone Age), Bronze Age, Iron Age leading into Christian Age and Early Medieval Age.
An exercise to allow network members understand various aspects of the lives of the people who lived in the Neolithic period.
Guided visits to Heapstown Cairn and Carrowkeel Passage Cairn Complex.
Delivery
Thursday 21st June 2007, 8.30pm-11.30pm & Friday 22nd June 9.30am –1.30pm at the Gyreum, Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo. Option to see dawn at the Gyreum. Free to Greenbox Network Members, overnight accommodation available €18, payable at Gyreum
Methodology of Delivery
The training will encompass facilitation methodology including visualization, power point presentation, group discussions, question and answer sessions and guided visits to local sites that will allow participants experience both the physical and spiritual aspects to these sites.
Outcomes
Participants will deepen their knowledge, awareness and understanding of Ireland’s ancient cultural history, in particular of Ireland’s ancient people and sites.
Participants will increase their awareness of the region’s archeological heritage which will help them interact with visitors in a more informed way. In particular, an understanding of the unique range of regional archaeological heritage will be developed. This will help give participants a comparative advantage in national terms, as the region has an abundance of archaeologically significant sites.
Participants will be enthused about both the regional and national heritage and landscape, and see possibilities for promoting their local heritage and environment.
Other Events At Gyreum
• Exhibition of paintings by local artist Monica Corish entitled ‘Inscapes & Seascapes’ running from June 20th to August 20th
• Archaeology weekend June 23rd & 24th, details on www.passport-breifne.com
• Sustainable Landscaping June 6th - 21st visit info on sustianable landscaping and building for network.doc
• Eurovision Special May 11th & 12th, visit www.passport-breifne.com
Hi guys
Ollie here
here is some info on the events we've organised for international biodiversity day:
overall event
seminar in organic centre
film
all highly recommended!
Ollie here
here is some info on the events we've organised for international biodiversity day:
overall event
seminar in organic centre
film
all highly recommended!
sustainable building and landscaping in the gyreum, south Sligo
SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPING AT THE GYREUM, SLIGO
Introduction:
The Greenbox is offering a unique opportunity to any members interested in any aspect of sustainable building and landscaping. The event, with a unique structure, will suit literally all categories of people. Those just interested in the issues in a general way, those who just want some experience in sustainable landscaping and building, those who intend to buy some property sometime in the near future, and those who already have property with buildings or a landscape to manage - all can get something from this experience.
You can literally choose your own level of involvement. If you are a network member, then we pay for all the costs of your training and your daily lunch. Here’s what is on offer:
Timescale and what’s on:Wednesday 6th June 10am-6pm: Introduction to sustainable landscapes and building with Naomhan Early and Marcus McCabe. (lunch 1pm-2pm). Location: the Gyreum, near riverstown in South Sligo.
Introduction to all aspects of sustainable landscaping with particular reference to map zoning of area and best positioning of plants. The morning will cover reedbeds (for grey water), clover lawns (for low maintenance and for natural nitrogenising of poor soils) and dry stone wall construction. The afternoon will be for edible hedging (berry trees), edible rockeries (herbs and some veg) and creating a living roof.
From 6th June to 21st June, all of this information will be put into practice. The gyreum will be transformed into a sustainable gardening and building haven, with a team of volunteers from the VSI (Volunteer Services Ireland) putting these sustainable landscaping ideas into practice. The work will be divided up into three stages: 7-9 June/ 11-15 June / 18-20 June. The aim will be to create a sustainable landscape that blends with surrounding wilderness while creating a largely edible garden. The space around the gyreum will be broken into “permaculture zones”. In this system, the house is Zone 1, and the zones develop out to Zone 5, which is the outer landscape. You are more than welcome to join in at any stage, (again no charge and we, the Greenbox, will pay for both your training and lunch).
Then, on 21st June 10am-1pm there is a review and summation of the two weeks of work. Again, no charge for lunch or training for Greenbox network members. So, overall, you can attend the first and last days of the event, that’s’ the 6th and the 21st June, and any day in between of your choosing.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the theories and engage in the practices of sustainable landscaping and building. Normally, courses like this cost many hundreds of Euros, so this really is a fantastic opportunity. In fact, a 2 week course like this can cost anything from EUR2-300 right up to up to EUR1,500. Whether you decide to just attend for the opening day, the opening and closing days, opening and closing days and occasional drop ins, or to do the whole 2 weeks, you will learn from the experts in a unique setting. At no charge!
Outcomes:
By attending some or all of this course, greater knowledge of how to construct a sustainable landscape will be developed.
Booking:
We are holding ten places for network members.
Option one:
The minimum you as a network member can book is the opening day, which is the 6th, and the three hour summary on the 21st. Book through Olga in the greenbox office – olga@greenbox.ie and 071 9856898. Booking this option still allows you to attend on various other days over the two weeks.
Option two:
Full 2 week course. Book through Olga in the greenbox office – olga@greenbox.ie and 071 9856898.
Non-members: for non-members the opening day is EUR49, closing day is EUR30. Booking can be done through Greenbox office. Membership for those outisde the region is available under the friend category. See here
Accommodation: Overnight accomodation is optional. Network members: EUR19 per night (EUR17 per night for whole 2 week stay). Includes breakfast. Non-network members: EUR35 per night (includes breakfast and lunch) For booking accommodation: click on the accommodation part of the gyreum website.
Extra information:The overall approach being adopted in the gyreum will be permacultural. Here is some extra information on permaculture. Obviously you don’t need to buy into the entire philosophy to participate in the event, but it may be of interest to you to find out more about it. Full information and links available here:
The word "permaculture," coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.
Renowned environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki has stated: "What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet.”
Today, permaculture can be described as a "moral and ethical design system applicable to food production and land use," as well as community design. It seeks the creation of productive and sustainable ways of living by integrating ecology, landscape, organic gardening, architecture, agroforestry, green or ecological economics, and social systems. The focus is not on these elements themselves, but rather on the relationships created among them by the way they are placed together; the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts. Permaculture is also about careful and contemplative observation of nature and natural systems, and of recognizing universal patterns and principles, then learning to apply these ‘ecological truisms’ to one’s own circumstances in all realms of human activity.
Introduction:
The Greenbox is offering a unique opportunity to any members interested in any aspect of sustainable building and landscaping. The event, with a unique structure, will suit literally all categories of people. Those just interested in the issues in a general way, those who just want some experience in sustainable landscaping and building, those who intend to buy some property sometime in the near future, and those who already have property with buildings or a landscape to manage - all can get something from this experience.
You can literally choose your own level of involvement. If you are a network member, then we pay for all the costs of your training and your daily lunch. Here’s what is on offer:
Timescale and what’s on:Wednesday 6th June 10am-6pm: Introduction to sustainable landscapes and building with Naomhan Early and Marcus McCabe. (lunch 1pm-2pm). Location: the Gyreum, near riverstown in South Sligo.
Introduction to all aspects of sustainable landscaping with particular reference to map zoning of area and best positioning of plants. The morning will cover reedbeds (for grey water), clover lawns (for low maintenance and for natural nitrogenising of poor soils) and dry stone wall construction. The afternoon will be for edible hedging (berry trees), edible rockeries (herbs and some veg) and creating a living roof.
From 6th June to 21st June, all of this information will be put into practice. The gyreum will be transformed into a sustainable gardening and building haven, with a team of volunteers from the VSI (Volunteer Services Ireland) putting these sustainable landscaping ideas into practice. The work will be divided up into three stages: 7-9 June/ 11-15 June / 18-20 June. The aim will be to create a sustainable landscape that blends with surrounding wilderness while creating a largely edible garden. The space around the gyreum will be broken into “permaculture zones”. In this system, the house is Zone 1, and the zones develop out to Zone 5, which is the outer landscape. You are more than welcome to join in at any stage, (again no charge and we, the Greenbox, will pay for both your training and lunch).
Then, on 21st June 10am-1pm there is a review and summation of the two weeks of work. Again, no charge for lunch or training for Greenbox network members. So, overall, you can attend the first and last days of the event, that’s’ the 6th and the 21st June, and any day in between of your choosing.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn the theories and engage in the practices of sustainable landscaping and building. Normally, courses like this cost many hundreds of Euros, so this really is a fantastic opportunity. In fact, a 2 week course like this can cost anything from EUR2-300 right up to up to EUR1,500. Whether you decide to just attend for the opening day, the opening and closing days, opening and closing days and occasional drop ins, or to do the whole 2 weeks, you will learn from the experts in a unique setting. At no charge!
Outcomes:
By attending some or all of this course, greater knowledge of how to construct a sustainable landscape will be developed.
Booking:
We are holding ten places for network members.
Option one:
The minimum you as a network member can book is the opening day, which is the 6th, and the three hour summary on the 21st. Book through Olga in the greenbox office – olga@greenbox.ie and 071 9856898. Booking this option still allows you to attend on various other days over the two weeks.
Option two:
Full 2 week course. Book through Olga in the greenbox office – olga@greenbox.ie and 071 9856898.
Non-members: for non-members the opening day is EUR49, closing day is EUR30. Booking can be done through Greenbox office. Membership for those outisde the region is available under the friend category. See here
Accommodation: Overnight accomodation is optional. Network members: EUR19 per night (EUR17 per night for whole 2 week stay). Includes breakfast. Non-network members: EUR35 per night (includes breakfast and lunch) For booking accommodation: click on the accommodation part of the gyreum website.
Extra information:The overall approach being adopted in the gyreum will be permacultural. Here is some extra information on permaculture. Obviously you don’t need to buy into the entire philosophy to participate in the event, but it may be of interest to you to find out more about it. Full information and links available here:
The word "permaculture," coined by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren during the 1970s, is a Portmanteau-style contraction of permanent agriculture as well as permanent culture.
Renowned environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki has stated: "What permaculturists are doing is the most important activity that any group is doing on the planet.”
Today, permaculture can be described as a "moral and ethical design system applicable to food production and land use," as well as community design. It seeks the creation of productive and sustainable ways of living by integrating ecology, landscape, organic gardening, architecture, agroforestry, green or ecological economics, and social systems. The focus is not on these elements themselves, but rather on the relationships created among them by the way they are placed together; the whole becoming greater than the sum of its parts. Permaculture is also about careful and contemplative observation of nature and natural systems, and of recognizing universal patterns and principles, then learning to apply these ‘ecological truisms’ to one’s own circumstances in all realms of human activity.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Greenbox Article in the Sunday Tribune - 21.04.07
Green fingers may pick up 'Oscar'
Conor McMorrow
A LITTLE-KNOWN Irish tourism initiative has been shortlisted alongside Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the US state of Vermont in what is considered to be the global tourism 'Oscars'.
Ireland's only developing eco-tourism destination, 'The Greenbox', is nominated in the Best Destination category for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards to be held in Lisbon on 11 May.
The Greenbox comprises an area straddling South Donegal, Leitrim, North Sligo, Fermanagh, West Cavan and North West Monaghan. The project was selected as one of 12 finalists by an international committee of experts from over 130 applications from 40 countries. Built on sound environmental practices highlighting all the region and its people have to offer, a number of guesthouses, pubs and hotels have received funding under the Greenbox initiative.
Other successful projects include the Gyreum eco-lodge, "a discreet hobbitlike edifice overlooking Lough Arrow in Sligo", which offers tourists everything from movie and archaeology weekends to an alternative Christmas destination.
Gyreum owner Colum Stapleton said, "One of the judges of the Tourism for Tomorrow awards has come and visited us here. It's fantastic that the Greenbox has been nominated for such a prestigious award. They have helped to market our project and provided funding for it."
Among the other projects Greenbox has funded are an organic farmers' market in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim and the Ard Nahoo Health Farm in nearby Dromahair.
Ecotourism is travel which is small scale, low impact, culturally sensitive, community orientated, primarily nature based, and educational.
Congratulating the Greenbox, Paul O'Toole, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said, "For this project to be recognized in so distinctive a fashion at this relatively early stage of its development pays testament to the dedication and commitment of the team at the Greenbox."
Greenbox CEO Mary Mulvey said it was "testament to hard work over the past five years" and paid tribute to the project's cross-border nature.
Conor McMorrow
A LITTLE-KNOWN Irish tourism initiative has been shortlisted alongside Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the US state of Vermont in what is considered to be the global tourism 'Oscars'.
Ireland's only developing eco-tourism destination, 'The Greenbox', is nominated in the Best Destination category for the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards to be held in Lisbon on 11 May.
The Greenbox comprises an area straddling South Donegal, Leitrim, North Sligo, Fermanagh, West Cavan and North West Monaghan. The project was selected as one of 12 finalists by an international committee of experts from over 130 applications from 40 countries. Built on sound environmental practices highlighting all the region and its people have to offer, a number of guesthouses, pubs and hotels have received funding under the Greenbox initiative.
Other successful projects include the Gyreum eco-lodge, "a discreet hobbitlike edifice overlooking Lough Arrow in Sligo", which offers tourists everything from movie and archaeology weekends to an alternative Christmas destination.
Gyreum owner Colum Stapleton said, "One of the judges of the Tourism for Tomorrow awards has come and visited us here. It's fantastic that the Greenbox has been nominated for such a prestigious award. They have helped to market our project and provided funding for it."
Among the other projects Greenbox has funded are an organic farmers' market in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim and the Ard Nahoo Health Farm in nearby Dromahair.
Ecotourism is travel which is small scale, low impact, culturally sensitive, community orientated, primarily nature based, and educational.
Congratulating the Greenbox, Paul O'Toole, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said, "For this project to be recognized in so distinctive a fashion at this relatively early stage of its development pays testament to the dedication and commitment of the team at the Greenbox."
Greenbox CEO Mary Mulvey said it was "testament to hard work over the past five years" and paid tribute to the project's cross-border nature.
Climate Change
Climate Denial has posted a new item, 'Why was The Great Global Warming Swindle so persuasive?'
Why is our belief in climate change still so fragile that many well meaning people have written to this blog claiming that a polemic propaganda film has changed their view of climate change? Surely this requires some explanation.
The fans of the film would argue that it has been effective because it is true.
But truth [...]
You may view the latest post at
http://climatedenial.org/2007/05/01/why-was-the-great-global-warming-swindle-so-persuasive/
Why is our belief in climate change still so fragile that many well meaning people have written to this blog claiming that a polemic propaganda film has changed their view of climate change? Surely this requires some explanation.
The fans of the film would argue that it has been effective because it is true.
But truth [...]
You may view the latest post at
http://climatedenial.org/2007/05/01/why-was-the-great-global-warming-swindle-so-persuasive/
Fáilte Ireland North West Industry Briefing.
1. Fáilte Ireland under its 2007-2013 Product Development Strategy has identified transport infrastructure as a key deliverable and commits to working with Department of Transport in an effort to further enhance the ease with which people get into and around the country. Regular updates will follow.
2. Fáilte Ireland has been engaged with the National Roads Authority in the development of its new road signage policy (details can be found on www.nra.ie under the publications tab). This policy will now be implemented by the NRA and you will shortly receive a questionnaire from us that will allow you to highlight what you believe are your local requirements so that we can factor our needs into the NRA’s implementation plan. The challenge now falls to Fáilte Ireland to engage with our Local Authorities to get a complimentary approach in place for our secondary and tertiary road network.
3. Again, Fáilte Ireland will seek to work with Department of Transport to ensure we offer our visitors the best possible bus and rail services within the bounds of economic sense. The recent announcement of new Bus Éireann routes to service Ireland west Airport (Knock) is a welcome development in this context.
4. Fáilte Ireland will work with Tourism Ireland and other relevant partners to put in place the necessary promotional programmes that will drive airline yields into all regional airports. Fáilte Ireland will be particularly focused on working with Shannon Development to ensure a cohesive marketing effort is in place for the West and South West of Ireland.
5. Fáilte Ireland has just created a Hospitality Product Manager role that will seek to generate greater strategic direction and cohesion across the various food product offerings. Conversations have already commenced with Bord Bia, RAI and IHF around how best to progress the creation of a shared vision for Food Tourism and it is intended from this to generate an agreed strategy and set of action plans to drive Food Tourism into the future.
6. Fáilte Ireland delivers a comprehensive information provision solution to both domestic and international visitors and the plans are in place to further enhance the service we offer to both the visitor and our industry customers. The national and regional websites are all scheduled for development work in 2007. All product sites are scheduled for work in 2007. And in terms of international visitors, we will be working with Tourism Ireland to ensure the best possible information and promotional offers are in place on both the general destination site and on new product websites.
7. Fáilte Ireland has created an Environment Policy Unit and it is currently engaging with other key stakeholders to develop an Eco Tourism Policy. It’s anticipated that the policy document will provide clear direction in terms of product development in the years ahead. Environmental considerations are now being factored into all new strategy work in the product arena.
8. The Product Development Strategy was developed by a broad group of stakeholders including key decision makers in other relevant government departments.
9. From a product development and management perspective, Fáilte Ireland is committed to creating product clusters in rural areas that have the potential to both attract and retain visitors within an area. There will be sustained marketing support for culture and activity products with a view to enticing visitors to all areas of the country.
10. Fáilte Ireland co-operates fully with both the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and LEADER on matters pertaining to product development. This is currently evidenced in developing plans under INTERREG. Equally, we present an all-island pitch on many key products such as golf, walking, angling etc.
11. Fáilte Ireland will commit to further follow-up with industry on this matter and will attempt to add value by investigating potential solutions in the insurance area.
12. Fáilte Ireland will endeavour through its various activities to improve communications within the industry on a localised basis. It will support the establishment of industry networks, circulate Product News e-zine, deliver programmes to enhance local product knowledge amongst front line staff, deliver a better visitor servicing experience both online and in our regional TIO’s. Our new regional structures are also designed to enable better two-way communications with our industry partners.
13. Fáilte Ireland has completed the development of a new Angling Strategy in conjunction with a range of key stakeholders. It points the way in terms both capital and current investment actions required to sustain growth. It also assigns responsibilities to the various state agencies involved in the angling product.
14. Fáilte Ireland is following closely the interactions between the farming lobbies and Minister for Community, Rural affairs and Gaeltacht Areas. In our interventions we have set out a clear vision for what’s possible in terms of Ireland’s walking product but critically the ultimate resolution lies with Minister O’Cuiv and the farmers’ representative bodies.
15. It is Fáilte Ireland’s understanding that at least one car hire company is prepared to make its product available to the over 65’s market. We will certainly push to have this featured on the various state agencies’ websites and will address the issue with the Car Rental Council.
16. Fáilte Ireland commits to pursuing this issue and provided the ‘free’ product is of a good enough standard, it will be featured on our website.
17. The new Regional Development Boards will explore the potential for city breaks within their respective administrative regions. If there’s a sensible business case, then resources will be committed to developing all cities with genuine tourism potential.
18. Fáilte Ireland at both a national and regional level is committed to unlocking/developing the potential within the inland counties. We will employ both NDP and other tax incentive measures to encourage and facilitate product development in these areas. Our regional teams will work with all interested parties to implement agreed advertising and promotional plans.
19. Fáilte Ireland commits to introducing product knowledge programmes for frontline staff. We would also recommend that individual business owners and/or managers take this on as an issue themselves and work to ensure that they and their staff stay familiar with all the ‘things to do’ that are available within a locality.
20. Fáilte Ireland will publicise the availability of all investment funds and tax incentive schemes. It will publish the operating guidelines along with Frequently Asked Questions on its corporate website, www.failteireland.ie . In addition, we will run regional briefing sessions to walk potential investors through the details of the schemes and how best to approach the applications process.
2. Fáilte Ireland has been engaged with the National Roads Authority in the development of its new road signage policy (details can be found on www.nra.ie under the publications tab). This policy will now be implemented by the NRA and you will shortly receive a questionnaire from us that will allow you to highlight what you believe are your local requirements so that we can factor our needs into the NRA’s implementation plan. The challenge now falls to Fáilte Ireland to engage with our Local Authorities to get a complimentary approach in place for our secondary and tertiary road network.
3. Again, Fáilte Ireland will seek to work with Department of Transport to ensure we offer our visitors the best possible bus and rail services within the bounds of economic sense. The recent announcement of new Bus Éireann routes to service Ireland west Airport (Knock) is a welcome development in this context.
4. Fáilte Ireland will work with Tourism Ireland and other relevant partners to put in place the necessary promotional programmes that will drive airline yields into all regional airports. Fáilte Ireland will be particularly focused on working with Shannon Development to ensure a cohesive marketing effort is in place for the West and South West of Ireland.
5. Fáilte Ireland has just created a Hospitality Product Manager role that will seek to generate greater strategic direction and cohesion across the various food product offerings. Conversations have already commenced with Bord Bia, RAI and IHF around how best to progress the creation of a shared vision for Food Tourism and it is intended from this to generate an agreed strategy and set of action plans to drive Food Tourism into the future.
6. Fáilte Ireland delivers a comprehensive information provision solution to both domestic and international visitors and the plans are in place to further enhance the service we offer to both the visitor and our industry customers. The national and regional websites are all scheduled for development work in 2007. All product sites are scheduled for work in 2007. And in terms of international visitors, we will be working with Tourism Ireland to ensure the best possible information and promotional offers are in place on both the general destination site and on new product websites.
7. Fáilte Ireland has created an Environment Policy Unit and it is currently engaging with other key stakeholders to develop an Eco Tourism Policy. It’s anticipated that the policy document will provide clear direction in terms of product development in the years ahead. Environmental considerations are now being factored into all new strategy work in the product arena.
8. The Product Development Strategy was developed by a broad group of stakeholders including key decision makers in other relevant government departments.
9. From a product development and management perspective, Fáilte Ireland is committed to creating product clusters in rural areas that have the potential to both attract and retain visitors within an area. There will be sustained marketing support for culture and activity products with a view to enticing visitors to all areas of the country.
10. Fáilte Ireland co-operates fully with both the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and LEADER on matters pertaining to product development. This is currently evidenced in developing plans under INTERREG. Equally, we present an all-island pitch on many key products such as golf, walking, angling etc.
11. Fáilte Ireland will commit to further follow-up with industry on this matter and will attempt to add value by investigating potential solutions in the insurance area.
12. Fáilte Ireland will endeavour through its various activities to improve communications within the industry on a localised basis. It will support the establishment of industry networks, circulate Product News e-zine, deliver programmes to enhance local product knowledge amongst front line staff, deliver a better visitor servicing experience both online and in our regional TIO’s. Our new regional structures are also designed to enable better two-way communications with our industry partners.
13. Fáilte Ireland has completed the development of a new Angling Strategy in conjunction with a range of key stakeholders. It points the way in terms both capital and current investment actions required to sustain growth. It also assigns responsibilities to the various state agencies involved in the angling product.
14. Fáilte Ireland is following closely the interactions between the farming lobbies and Minister for Community, Rural affairs and Gaeltacht Areas. In our interventions we have set out a clear vision for what’s possible in terms of Ireland’s walking product but critically the ultimate resolution lies with Minister O’Cuiv and the farmers’ representative bodies.
15. It is Fáilte Ireland’s understanding that at least one car hire company is prepared to make its product available to the over 65’s market. We will certainly push to have this featured on the various state agencies’ websites and will address the issue with the Car Rental Council.
16. Fáilte Ireland commits to pursuing this issue and provided the ‘free’ product is of a good enough standard, it will be featured on our website.
17. The new Regional Development Boards will explore the potential for city breaks within their respective administrative regions. If there’s a sensible business case, then resources will be committed to developing all cities with genuine tourism potential.
18. Fáilte Ireland at both a national and regional level is committed to unlocking/developing the potential within the inland counties. We will employ both NDP and other tax incentive measures to encourage and facilitate product development in these areas. Our regional teams will work with all interested parties to implement agreed advertising and promotional plans.
19. Fáilte Ireland commits to introducing product knowledge programmes for frontline staff. We would also recommend that individual business owners and/or managers take this on as an issue themselves and work to ensure that they and their staff stay familiar with all the ‘things to do’ that are available within a locality.
20. Fáilte Ireland will publicise the availability of all investment funds and tax incentive schemes. It will publish the operating guidelines along with Frequently Asked Questions on its corporate website, www.failteireland.ie . In addition, we will run regional briefing sessions to walk potential investors through the details of the schemes and how best to approach the applications process.
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