Aug 27, 2009

Information Update - Cork Harbour Forum


Dear all,

 

I would like to bring your attention to some items of interest in relation to Cork Harbour – further details are available on www.corkharbour.ie

 

·   The Annual Report of the first year of implementation of Cork Harbour Integrated Management Strategy is now available. The short report provides an update on the progress and achievements to date, since the launch of the Strategy in May 2008.

 

·   September 6th is Cork Harbour Open Day – a series of events will be taking place around the Harbour to encourage as many people as possible to make use of the Harbour on the day. Events will be based on and off the water, including: sailing; art exhibitions; food and craft markets; treasure hunts, guided walks, chance to visit naval and RNLI vessels, and more to be added. We would be very grateful if you could circulate notice of the Harbour Open Day to friends and family, and welcome participation and involvement on the day.

 

·   The next issue of Cork Harbour News is due for circulation in September – please forward any material you would like to have included as content.

 

The Annual Report and Harbour Open Day programme are available to view/download from www.corkharbour.ie; please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries or require any further information,

  

best regards,

Cathal

 

Cathal O'Mahony,
Research Scientist,
Coastal & Marine Resources Centre,
Environmental Research Institute,
University College Cork,
Haulbowline Naval Base,
Cobh,
Co. Cork,
Ireland.
Tel: +353 21 4703111
Fax: +353 21 4703132
e-mail:
c.omahony@ucc.ie
Website:
http://cmrc.ucc.ie/

 


Aug 26, 2009

Clon Public Meeting re: Sea Lettuce at Inchydony


Further info/comment from myself 086-2202029, (convenor of the meeting in response to ongoing regular complaints from local anglers, etc.)

OPEN MEETING ON THURSDAY TO DISCUSS SEAWEED PROBLEM AT INCHYDONEY

An open public meeting to which people involved in fishing for pleasure and commercially in small boats in Clonakilty Bay and surrounding coastal areas are invited, has been organised for this Thursday evening (27th) at 9.00pm in O' Donovan's Hotel.

The meeting has been organised in response to the ongoing issue of the "sea lettuce" problem in the bay, and in particular how the council is dealing with it at Inchydoney. Many involved in angling and commercial fishing have become critical of the practice in which the council are cleaning it up from the beach at Inchydoney and merely dumping it back into the sea. Some claim this is a waste of time and resources as the weed just comes back in in the next tide, and also lodges in other nearby coastal areas.

Others claim that it is even causing pollution of certain inlets and leading to disillusioned anglers leaving the area having come to engage in a weeks fishing. It is hoped that local County Councillors will also be in attendance to take the concerns and suggestions of the meeting back to officials so as to avoid, where possible creating further problems.

Whatever criticisms and solutions people have, they are invited to air them at Thursdays meeting. The hope would be that a few people who are regular users of the local bays will be selected to liaise with the council officials on an ongoing basis so that mutual co-operation and understanding of each others problems and challenges can be addressed.

The meeting is relevant to people from Ring to the Galley Head, who regularly fish either off rocks or from small boats for pleasure or commercially.

Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin,
An Gallán,
Cloich na Coillte,
Contae Chorcaí.
_____________

Guthán Póca: 086-2202029
Guthán/Faics: 023-34569
E-phoist: cllr1@clonsf.com
www.facebook.com/CouncillorCionnaithOSuilleabhain
www.clonsf.com
www.bebo.com/Clonakilty-Sinn-Fein
http://cllrcionnaithosuilleabhain.blogspot.com/

Aug 21, 2009

Draft Guidelines for Forestry and the Kerry Slug, and Forestry and the Otter

Forest Service Invites Submissions on the Drafts of the Forestry and Kerry Slug Guidelines and Forestry and Otter Guidelines


 

The Forest Service has drafted guidelines for Forestry and the Kerry Slug and Forestry and the Otter  which are now available for public consultation.

 

The objective of the guidelines is to ensure the protection of the Kerry Slug and Otter in forests and during forest operations by giving an understanding of the species, how forestry and the Kerry Slug and the Otter may interact as well as an understanding of the law regarding the protection of the species.

 

These have been drafted in consultation with National Parks and Wildlife Service and others following an extensive literature review.

 

The Forest Service invites submissions from stakeholders in the Forestry sector and from the general public.

 

Copies of the drafts may be downloaded from the Department's website at

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestservicegeneralinformation/publicconsultationkerryslugandotter/     

 

Submissions should be sent by email if possible to fspolicy@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to The Forest Service, Policy Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, (Lo-Call 1890 200 223)

 

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 25th September 2009.

 

 

 

Date released: 20th August 2009 

Aug 20, 2009

Heritage Week and Cork Heritage Open Day

__________________________________________________________________

Cork Heritage Open Day

29th of August 2009

 

 

This unique event allow you the opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of over 33 buildings not usually open to the public.

 

For further information please tel 021 4924757, email heritage@corkcity.ie or log onto www.corkheritageopenday.ie

 


Heritage Tree Hunt

Dear All,

 

A survey of the Heritage Trees of Ireland is being undertaken by the Tree Council of Ireland in association with, and part-funded by, The Heritage Council, Crann and The Irish Tree Society.  We are looking for help in finding out about as many trees as possible and would be extremely grateful if you could tell us about any you know of and forward this to as many people as possible. For example, historical societies, archaeological groups, community groups, environmental groups.

 

A heritage tree can be defined as one of cultural, ecological or historical interest because of its age, size or condition. The project is being undertaken as an extension of the Tree Register of Ireland which is a record of Ireland's Champion Trees.

 

We want our heritage and ancient trees to survive as long as possible and to do this we need to protect them. The only way we can do this is to know where they are. We need to find them, map them, photograph them and record them.

 

We want to hear about giant, important, mysterious, sacred, historical, fabulous, bizarre-looking or ancient trees, and generally trees with a story! There are all sorts of trees that would qualify for inclusion, for example: rag trees; hanging trees; trees at holy wells, military trees (planted in military formation to commemorate battles); those of exceptional girth, height or age; any associated with historical events, people or structures; and those which are important to a community.

 

Some of the most well-known examples are the 'Hungry' Tree at King's Inns, Dublin which is a London plane that appears to be consuming a bench; Lady Gregory's 'Autograph' Tree at Coole Park, South Galway, a copper beech which has been signed by WB Yeats, his brother Jack, George Bernard Shaw, the poet John Masefield, Sean O'Casey and other famous people.

 

However, not all heritage trees are so dramatic; they can, in fact, be quite unremarkable in appearance. For example, a lone hawthorn tree has been included in the survey as it marks the summit of Freestone Hill, Co. Kilkenny and folklore prevents its removal.

 

If anyone has information on any trees like these we would be delighted to hear from you!

 

 
You can contact us on the website, www.treecouncil.ie or email Kate Crane: cranoggin@eircom.net or telephone: 01 4931313 (Tree Council of Ireland).

 

 

Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you,

 

Kate Crane

 

Aug 15, 2009

Coillte Update

We are writing to you as part of our ongoing commitment to improving how we communicate with our stakeholders about the wide range of activities we are involved in.

 

As Ireland's leading provider of outdoor recreation we have been improving and upgrading sites all across the country in recent years. There are numerous forest parks and more than 150 recreation sites for you to enjoy, among them Lough Key Forest Park in Co Roscommon, Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails in Co. Cork, and Curragh Family Cycling Trails, Co. Limerick. For more information on how to get out and enjoy the outdoors see www.coillteoutdoor.ie.

 

We are also one of the partners in National Trails Day and this event is taking place again this year on Sunday 4th October - for more info see www.nationaltrailsday.ie

 


Information on new Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Standard

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Ireland are the affiliated national initiative promoting FSC in Ireland and are working on a new draft standard.  They have asked us to let you know that "The new Draft Irish Standard for Forest Management Certification goes to public consultation". Read on……..

FSC Ireland is looking for feedback from all interested parties on a new Draft Irish Standard for Forest Management Certification. This Standard has been developed following negotiations between representatives of social, environmental and economic interests, and sets out measures to ensure the responsible management of certified forests in Ireland.

This Standard interprets the core set of the international Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Principles and Criteria to describe how forests have to be managed within Ireland to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. The United Nations recognised FSC as the fastest growing and most credible eco-label for wood products in the world.

The Irish Draft Standard will be revised in the light of feedback from public consultation, before approval from the Forest Stewardship Council is sought.

The Draft Standard can be found at www.irishcertification.com or obtained from the address below. Comments should be submitted before Friday 23rd October 2009, and can be made by email (consultation@irishforestcertification.com) or in writing (FSC National Initiative in Ireland, c/o IFA, Irish Farm Centre, Bluebell, Dublin 12).

If you have any queries on this issue, please contact:
Dr. Harriet Emerson (facilitator)
Tel: 087 6508664
consultation@irishforestcertification.com
www.irishforestcertification.com



Aug 13, 2009

MY SIGHTINGS - new feature for tracking your wildlife

Maybe it's been a long time since you were out looking at the birds and the bees. I think we can entice you to get out again with our new feature (MY SIGHTINGS) that allows you to view your own sightings  separate from everyone else's on Biology.ie.

See:

http://www.biology.ie/article-single.php?a=122

 

Now you can keep your own online map of the wildlife you see.

 

We hope you enjoy it.

Have a look at your favourite survey home page and you will see it on

the red menu list at the top tight of the screen (4 items down).

For example:

http://biology.ie/home.php?m=lizard

 

We would be interested in your feedback on this new addition to the

site.

Don't forget to forward this email to a friend.

 

Cheers,

 

Paul.

The Biology.ie Team

 

www.biology.ie

www.lichens.ie

www.irishlichens.com

www.kerryslug.com

www.lizardsurvey.com

 

MY SIGHTINGS - our new feature for you

 



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WEST CORK BIKE FESTIVAL







WEST CORK BIKE FESTIVAL 29 & 30TH AUGUST 2009

Saturday 29th Event: DIRT X CHALLENGE Venue Clashnacrona Woods, West of Dunmanway.
This Mountain Bike event is the first of it's kind in Ireland and will pit Cross Country riders against Downhillers over timed sections of our purpose built course featuring a mixture of gnarly downhill & lung busting climbs and technical sections to see who is the best overall will it be an XC or DH rider?

Sunday 30th Event" THE SHEEP'S HEAD RAID, Venue: Kilcrohane, The Sheep's Head Peninsula. West of Bantry.
This day has something for all. The main event is a Cross Country Marathon of 50k+ both on and off road using sections of the Sheep's Head Way that will only be open to bikes for this event. There will also be a non-competitive class with a slightly shorter route. 
Also as part of Heritage Week we are running Family Rides from Kilcrohane or Ahakista to Durrus with Buses back to Kilcrohane. 

Come and enjoy the craic on the EDEN Award winning Sheep's Head Peninsula and for those that are up for it have an adventure at the same time!

Camping & accommodation are available for full details & entry forms please see the web site www.westcorkbikefest.com