Apr 29, 2011

CONNECT with businesses in the Macroom area


Just a quick reminder to sign up for next week's CONNECT Business Network event.

 

This event is a great way to fast forward your word of mouth marketing by chatting to other businesses in the area, making contacts and developing potential business relationships – so don't forget to bring lots of business cards!!

 

Next Wednesday, our guest speaker is Paul O'Connell from the award winning Hayfield Manor Hotel. Paul will talk about how his own networking experiences have helped sales at the hotel and offer some hints & tips for success.  

 

The schedule for the morning is as follows:

 

8.45am                 Registration, tea, coffee

9.00am                 Guest Speaker: Paul O'Connell, Hayfield Manor Hotel

9.15am                 Introduction to networking

9.20am                 Four facilitated networking rounds

10.00am               CLOSE

 

Please register in advance at www.macroom-e.com      

 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Kind regards,

Catherine

___________________________________

Catherine Costello

Coordinator

Macroom e Business Centre

Macroom Environmental Industrial Park Ltd.

Bowl Road

Macroom

Co. Cork

Tel: 026 20520

Fax: 026 20536

 

Email: ccostello@macroom-e.com

Web: www.macroom-e.com

www.greenshootscork.ie

www.wastematchers.com

 


Apr 28, 2011

WasteMatchers News

Just a quick email to let you know that www.wastematchers.com has changed...

 

WasteMatchers for Business has moved to www.smileexchange.ie following recent successes with real-life SMILE (Saving Money through Industry Links & Exchanges) events.

 

We're delighted to announce that WasteMatchers for householders will continue as before but with a brand new website. So if you're spring cleaning at home, you can start listing all your unwanted furniture, utensils, toys etc online.

  

I hope you continue to get good use and reuse from the site. We'd love to hear about any exchanges you make so please tell us – find us and like us on facebook, email us or give us a ring at the number below.

 

All the best

Catherine

 

 

Catherine Costello

Coordinator

www.wastematchers.com

Macroom e Business Centre

Macroom Environmental Industrial Park Ltd.

Bowl Road

Macroom

Co. Cork

Tel: 026 20520

Fax: 026 20536

 

Email: ccostello@macroom-e.com

Web: www.macroom-e.com

www.greenshootscork.ie

www.wastematchers.com

 

Announcement: Heritage Council Best Practice Guidance Habitat Survey and Mapping avail online


The final version of the Heritage Council's  Best Practice Guidance for Habitat Survey and Mapping is now available on our website at www.heritagecouncil.ie.  This publication presents current best practice guidance for survey and mapping of habitats in the Republic of Ireland, and is aimed primarily at those who conduct or commission habitat surveys. Its objective is to standardise and improve habitat survey and mapping methods in order to achieve compatability among surveys and surveyors, and to ensure the quality and consistency of the maps and data produced.
 
The Heritage Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the preparation of the document, the authors, the Steering Group members from NPWS and Cork County Council, the editor, and all those who responded to the consultation process and participated in the peer review.

 

Please note that this publication is only available as a pdf that can be downloaded from our website, or read online; hard copies are not being made available, due to resource constraints.

 

Best wishes

Cliona O'Brien

 

 

 

Cliona O'Brien,

Wildlife Officer,

Heritage Council,

Áras na hOidhreachta,

Church Lane,

Kilkenny.

e: cobrien@heritagecouncil.ie

t: 056 7770777

 

Apr 27, 2011

Clonakilty nominated for SEAI Sustainable Energy Community Status

Best of luck to Clonakilty in their pursuit of Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) status.
As many of you know, Sustainable Clonakilty received the CEF Community & Voluntary Award in 2010 for their work in putting together the town's first Energy Week last October.  Since then they have published an in-depth study of how the Clonakilty district can achieve energy neutrality by 2020 - another excellent piece of work and hopefully the beginning of an exciting journey for the town and surrounding area. 


Three committee officers from Sustainable Clonakilty - Peter Madden, (Chair), Alison Wickham, (Secretary) and Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, (P.R.O.), supported by three reps from Cork County Council Environment Department, joined similar groups and individuals from all over the country at a workshop in Dundalk last week to learn about the "Sustainable Energy Communities" Programme.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland organised the event which will see them (SEAI) selecting two communities each year for the next 5 years for funding to help them become sustainable from an energy consumption perspective. The timing and attending at the event couldn't be more appropriate for Sustainable Clonakilty, given that it recently published it's 2020 Clonergy roadmap for energy neutrality.

This study commissioned by the voluntary group saw expert consultants carry out an inventory of current energy usage in the Clonakilty and surrounding areas, and found that approx. €23 million is expended annually on fossil-based energy, all of which is imported and mainly oil based. Speaking to other participants at the Dundalk event, the SC members felt that they were much more advanced in their plans than many other communities.

The Clonergy 2020 aims to have the Clonakilty District replacing much of the imported fossil-based energy with locally-produced sustainable alternatives by the year 2020. This will mean that the area will be guaranteed a plentiful supply of electricity, transport fuels and heat from locally produced sustainable sources and has the potential to crate over 300 jobs in the process.

The price of petrol at the pumps at present is an example of how we are presently totally dependent on this as one example of our energy needs. Matters totally outside of our control taking place in countries thousands of miles away are dictating what we pay.

The Dundalk Workshop was a very positive engagement for the Sustainable Clonakilty members who now intend to pursue the application to be considered as one of the two "Sustainable Energy Communities" in the country next year. If successful, it would mean that the ambition of becoming energy neutral by the year 2020 will be made a lot easier as the organisation will be able to devote more time and expertise to pushing the project forward.

The Sustainable Energy Communities Programme is lead by the local authority with voluntary input essential for success.

NPWS and Heritage Council leave Dept of Environment and move to New Dept


Description: epspblue

 

 

Dear All

 

As you are probably aware, the Department of the Environment has shed its section relating to heritage and taken in the section relating to community.  The Department is now called the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, under Minister Phil Hogan.   Minister Hogan's big plan is to reorganise local government and to devolve power to it.   It is my understanding that he intends to bring the ILDCs and UBPs into the local authority structure.

 

The heritage section will now be under the Minister for the Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, who seems to have a genuine and personal interest in the roles he has been given.  The Heritage section includes the Heritage Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

 

 

 

 

Kind regards

 

Michael Ewing

Coordinator

Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership

Knockvicar

Boyle

Co Roscommon

Rep of Ireland

Tel: +353 71 9667373

Mob: +353 86 8672153

email: michael@environmentalpillar.ie

web: www.environmentalpillar.ie

 

Environmental Pillar members: An Taisce. Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland. CELT - Centre for Ecological Living and Training. Coast Watch. Coomhola Salmon Trust. Crann. ECO UNESCO. Feasta.  Forest Friends. Friends of the Earth. Gluaiseacht. Grian. Hedge Laying Association of Ireland. Irish Doctors Environment Association. Irish Natural Forestry Foundation. Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Irish Seal Sanctuary. Irish Seed Saver Association. Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Irish Wildlife Trust. Just Forests. The Organic Centre. Sonairte. Sustainable Ireland Cooperative. VOICE. Zero Waste Alliance Ireland

 


Apr 26, 2011

Butterfly identification, Ecology and the Biodiversiy Data Centre's Butterfly Monitoring scheme

There will be a talk on butterfly identification, ecology and the Biodiversiy Data Centre's Butterfly Monitoring scheme on Wednesday 4th May at 8.00pm O'Donovan's Hotel, Clonakilty. The talk is free and all are welcome.


Build a Walking Trail for your Community


Build a Walking Trail for your Community

Information Day – Radisson Hotel, Little Island – May 4th

SECAD (South and East Cork Area Development), with support from UCC's Coastal & Marine Research Centre, are holding a Walking Trails Seminar and Information morning for community groups and other interested parties. SECAD has a vision to establish a high-quality network of community trails that are well constructed, managed, advertised and maintained in the South and East Cork area (from Nohoval to Youghal). The benefits of creating community trails are manifold. They allow people to explore new areas, promote a healthy lifestyle, attract tourists, and generate income for the local community.

Midleton Tidy Towns clean up Wed 27th April

Hi all, I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Easter break.
We are hoping to finish cleaning along the Pontoon Walk behind Aldi and Midleton Industrial Park this Wednesday evening the 27th April. Meeting at 7pm at the small public park across from Wallis's Funeral Home on Riverside Way. Please bring wellingtons if you have them as a lot of rubbish is lying on boggy ground.  If anyone has waders please bring them also.
Hope to see you there!

Apr 21, 2011

Ireland's Environmental Pillar says forests must remain in public hands

Environmental Pillar of Social Partnership

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21st April, 2011


Ireland's Environmental Pillar says forests must remain in public hands   

INFF Open Day & Further Events

Open Days 2011

Exploratory Mapping of Irish Social Entrepreneurial Enterprises - Research Findings

Mapping of Social Entrepreneurial Enterprises in Ireland
In 2010, the Initiative on Social Entrepreneurship, Trinity College Dublin, carried out exploratory research to map the characteristics, behaviours and facets of Irish Social Entrepreneurial Enterprises. The aim of the mapping study was to examine more closely the nature of social entrepreneurial enterprises in Ireland, and gain a better understanding of their structures, activities and entrepreneurial behaviours as distinct organisational structures on the Social Economy Continuum.

CELT Weekend in the Woods 30 April / 1 May

Places still available on a number of introductory courses for 30th April / 1st May

Herb Lore;  Spinning & Weaving; 
Blacksmithing;  Wet Felting; 
Rustic Furniture making; 
Wood Carving; 
Silversmithing; 
Sugan Chair making; 
Coppersmithing; 
Dry-Stone Walling; 
Longbow making; 
- also, for 8-14 yrs, Rustic Art & Woodcrafts.

Book on-line now or send cheque / PO payable to CELT - 120 euro (100 for under-18s) for 2 days.
Spuds, snacks, refreshments available.  Free camping.  Free car parking.
 
CELT Centre for Environmental Living & Training
Main St., Scariff, Co.Clare, Ireland
www.celtnet.org  info@celtnet.org


FOE Tip of the day: Chocolate Easter eggs


Friends of the Earth Tip of the day

Chocolate Easter eggs

If you're about to buy some Easter eggs, look out for Fairtrade and / or organic. Chances are you won't notice much difference in taste (or calories!) if you choose chocolate that's better for the people who produce it, or for the environment. Read our fun experiment to spot the difference between Fairtrade, organic and the rest.

Best Wishes, Rita @ Friends of the Earth


Shop for green books

Shop for green books

Check out past tips

Check out past tips

Discuss green stuff

Discuss green stuff

Support Friends of the Earth

Support Friends of the Earth


 

Apr 20, 2011

Green Works News Issue 8


Green Works News

Issue 8, 19 April 2011

Hi there,

Sunshine, chocolate eggs and long evenings are on their way and Green Works is celebrating with tons of workshops, clinics and courses all around the country. There's an Easter Workshop Festival and Green Building Forum in Dublin, Duncan Stewart is a guest at the Crash Course in The Green Economy in Nenagh, various organic food and growing courses in Cork, Sligo and Tipperary and four courses start soon in our new Kilkenny Hub. Not to mention a nationwide schedule bursting with jobs-focussed courses on all things sustainable.

Scroll down to see what's happening around the country and have a very Happy Easter!

The Green Works Team

Tipperary

solar-panels-tipp.jpg

The Tipperary Hub is running a special Crash Course in The Green Economy in Nenagh on 20th April. This day long event will feature presentations and discussions examining green and local jobs, and explore opportunities in community resilience, sustainability and the local economy. In the evening there will be a showing of the inspiring documentary The Economics of Happiness followed by a panel discussion featuring special guest Duncan Stewart.

Also coming up in Tipp are Start Your Own Green Business (Nenagh, May 3), Domestic Energy Management (May 3), Organic Production Principles (May 5), and Grow Your Business with Social Media (Nenagh, May 17).

Cork

farranferris.jpg

Spring is in the air in Cork and the garden in Farrenferris is in full bloom with sunflowers, herbs, potatoes and apple trees all jostling for the best position to catch the sun. All are welcome to pay a visit and green fingered (or garden newbie) students might even want to enrol in the Organic Crop Production Principles course beginning on May 4. Other courses coming soon include Domestic Energy Management (May 9), Start Your Own Green Business (May 16), and Environmental Design of Buildings (May 23).

Sligo

sligo-tour.jpg

Our Sligo Hub has been very busy lately running courses in Galway as well as at home. The Galway courses have been a great success as was the recent Sligo Green Homes Tour. Coming up soon are a new Organic Food Crops course (May 3), Sewing Skills Workshop (May 6), Green Building (May 9) and a Composting Workshop (May 18).

Kilkenny

kilkenny-wind.jpg

Green Works is delighted to announce that our new Kilkenny Hub will kick things off with 4 courses starting in May/June. Kilkenny jobseekers will be able to take the following courses for free: Renewable Energy Systems (May 4), Green Building (May 9), Start Your Own Green Business (May 12) and Green Business Marketing (June 8).


Dublin

sonairte-tunnel.jpg

Its busier than ever at the Dublin Hub with the Easter Workshop Festival (April 20 – 29) and the Green Building Forum (May 6) both fast approaching. The Easter Festival features daily workshops on everything from Facebook and Twitter for Business to Home Energy Savings and Composting. The Green Building Forum meanwhile will examine the big issues surrounding sustainability in the construction industry over 2 days at the start of May.

Convergence Festival - Nationwide

c16-banner-horizontal.jpg

Mark your diary for Convergence 16, the Sustainable Living Festival, which will be taking place from June 17 to 26. More details to follow soon.

Visit our website FoR FULL LIST OF COURSES, DATES, AND DETAILS OF HOW TO ENROL

Copyright © 2011 Green Works and the Authors

About US

Upcoming Courses

About the Programme

In Short

Free Training for Jobseekers

Courses in Building, Business, Land Use and Tourism

Hubs: Cork, Dublin, Sligo, Tipperary

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