Feb 29, 2012

"Meet the Engineers" Family Fun Day at Lifetime Lab

Lifetime Lab at the Old Waterworks will host a family fun Engineering open Day on Saturday 3rd March from 11am to 4pm. Admission is free and children and adults can enjoy a series of stands and activities which will help discover more about the many different types of engineering.

Activities will include programming LEGO robots, construction challenges, snap circuits, engineering trails, launching water rockets, make & do, face painting and lots more with all activities staffed by volunteer engineers.

Lifetime Lab is located in the old Cork City Waterworks buildings on the Lee Road. The site now contains a Visitor Centre with interactive environmental exhibits, a steam centre with the original boilers and huge steam engines, a schools resource centre, a coffee dock, a picnic area and children’s playground and is fully wheelchair accessible.

“Meet the Engineers” Open Day run as part of Engineers Week 2012 and sees a whole range of engineering activities available to schools and to the public from February 27th-March 4th. For further information, please contact Lifetime Lab at: 021-4941500 or view the website www.lifetimelab.ie

 

 

Feb 28, 2012

Water Metering & Charging

 

Water Metering & Charging

         

About the event:

In January 2012 the Irish Government published a position paper on the reform of water services in Ireland, within which it outlined proposals for water metering and universal water charges.

This lecture will address a wide range of practical and policy issues concerned with water pricing and metering, including:

    Metering Costs;

    Assessed Charges;

    Free Allowances;

    Procurement Strategies;

    Technologies

This lecture is presented in collaboration with the Cork Environmental Forum.

Event details:

Date:   Tuesday 13th March 2012

Time:  19:00 (Tea & Coffee from 6.30pm)

Venue:  Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork

For further details on this event, check out our community calendar in the members area of the website (www.engineersireland.ie) or visit the Cork Region website

Fees:     Free – All welcome

Booking:    Not Required

Biography – Kevin Murray

 

Kevin Murray is a Chartered Civil & Structural Engineer and a former Chairperson of the Cork Region of Engineers Ireland. He is also a Director of Cork Chamber (of Commerce). Kevin is the Principal of Kevin J Murray & Co and a Director of New Era Training.

Kevin has almost 25 years experience as a consultant engineer in Ireland and the UK, including building design, bridge design and maritime structures. However, for the last 12 years, he has been closely involved in the implementation of water pricing policy in Ireland. Of mst relevance, Kevin was the Project Manager/Director for several non-domestic water metering projects in the last decade in Ireland.

Kevin has spoken at several conferences about water policy and in the national media. He has also written several articles that have been published in journals and the press. 

 

Engineers Ireland | 22 Clyde Road | Ballsbridge | Dublin 4
Tel: 00353 (0)1 665 1300 |
www.engineersireland.ie

 

 

 

Drinking Water Safety Plans

ENGINEERS IRELAND - CORK REGION

WINTER LECTURE SERIES

Drinking Water Safety Plans

About the event:

Drinking Water Safety Plans are a risk based management

approach to the provision of safe and secure drinking

water supplies. This talk will present:

Background to the origins of Drinking Water Safety

Plans (DWSP) and requirements for their development

from the following:-

WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality

WHO Water Safety Plan Manual

The Bonn Charter

EPA Guidance for Local Authorities on developing

Drinking Water Safety Plans

The reasons and benefits of developing a DWSP are

explained.

An explanation of the steps that need to be taken when

preparing a DWSP, through use of the WHO Manual,

including:-

Selecting the Team and the skills required to develop

the plan

Information needed to describe the drinking water

system (Source to Tap)

Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment

Identification and Monitoring of Control Measures

Requirement for Improvement Plans

Establishment of Procedures

Development of Supporting Programmes

Review and Audit process

Details of the on-line resources available to assist WSA’s

in the preparation of DWSP will also be provided.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday 6th March 2012

Time: 18:30 Tea & Coffee served, Lecture at 19:00

Venue: Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork

For further details on this event, check out our

community calendar in the members area of the

website (www.engineersireland.ie) or alternatively

visit the Cork Region website

Biography – Robert Kennedy, Associate, RPS

Robert Kennedy is an Associate with RPS Consulting Engineers and has been working in the water sector in

Ireland and the UK for over 20 years. He has a wide range of experience through design, construction and

operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities. Having been involved in the operational management of

both municipal and industrial treatment facilities and coupled with his design and construction experience he has

a unique understanding of the issues and challenges associated with the provision of a high quality water service.

He has developed methods for the preparation of operational management plans specific to water and

wastewater treatment, which are intrinsically linked to the maintenance of quality performance. He has also

prepared methodologies for water and wastewater project risk assessment for use in DEHLG guidance notes

published in 2006 for the assessment and review of PPP projects in the water and wastewater sectors. More

recently he has prepared and delivered training courses on quality assurance in water and wastewater treatment

Engineers Ireland | 22 Clyde Road |

 

Feb 23, 2012

Design A Public Park Competition

 

McCarthy’s ‘Design a Public Park, Art Competition

 

Cllr. Kieran McCarthy invites all young budding engineers and architects to participate in McCarthy’s ‘Design a Public Park, Art Competition’. Interested students are invited to draw a plan for the proposed c.160 acre public park on the old landfill site or ‘Cork City Dump’ on the Kinsale Road. The majority of the former landfill has been ‘capped or layered with topsoil’ to allow a new park to be constructed as a recreation amenity. “Design a Public Park” offer students an opportunity to present ideas of how public spaces may look from a user point of view and will be viewed by the engineer responsible for drafting the new design. The competition is run in association with Lifetime Lab ‘Meet the Engineer’s Free Family Fun Day’ at the Lifetime Lab, Saturday 3 March 2012 to celebrate Engineer’s Week 2012.

 

Entry to the design competition is free of charge with prizes awarded for best design, best drawing and best concept. There are several age groups, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 and Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate for secondary school students. All entries should be forwarded to Lifetime Lab before Thursday 1 March 2012. Drawings can be made on A4 or A3 sheets. They can be mounted if the student wishes. It is the intention to display all drawings on ‘Meet the Engineer’s Day’ and have the winners marked. Prizes will be awarded to drawings that are of a high standard and in particular, which demonstrate colour, creativity and imagination. On the back of the drawing, the name, age, teacher and school of the student should be clearly marked. Winners will be announced on ‘Meet the Engineer’s Day’ at the Lifetime Lab, Cork on Saturday 3 March 2012. A map of the proposed park site and further information can be viewed at Kieran McCarthy’s community programme section of his blog at www.kieranmccarthy.ie

 

 

www.corkheritage.ie

www.kieranmccarthy.ie

Kieran' heritage on facebook: Cork: Our City, Our Town

 

 

Feb 20, 2012

Climate for Change Talk

 

Change.ie the Power of One and Cork County Council are holding a free lecture on climate change in the County Hall 23rd February at 2.15

 

The talk is called "Climate for Changeand is part of a nationwide tour to each county council in the country. The EPA, SEAI and Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government have teamed up with Gavin Harte to stage the events. Gavin has been a high profile spokesperson on environmental and sustainability issues in Ireland for many years.

 

For most of us climate change is often confusing and contradictory. For every argument on the size of the problem, its seriousness and its cause, there seems to be another voice declaring the exact opposite. Now, for the first time the world's leading scientists are united in the scientific evidence for climate change. The big question is, are the people of Cork ready for the challenge?”

 

Laura Burke, Director General of the EPA welcomed the road show and said "Climate change is an urgent global issue and is the primary environmental challenge of this century. We are delighted that Gavin is taking ‘Climate for Change’ on the road to give people a better understanding of the climate challenge and the role each of us can play in addressing this challenge."

 

Gavin was the founder and developer of Ireland’s first eco-village in Cloughjordan Co Tipperary. He has worked as an educator, a TV presenter and a musician and was national director of An Taisce. With RTE he presented the very popular travel series "Across the Line", backpacking overland from Dublin to Darwin on a budget of £25 a day. 

  

Climate for Change is an exciting mix of photographs, video clips, and animations which documents the enormous influence human activity is having on our planets climate, the serious impacts these are likely to have on all of us and what we need to do about it.

 

Queries to Dr Mary Stack at mary.stack@corkcoco.ie

 

 

Feb 16, 2012

SECAD Green Your Community Launch - Book now!

 

 

SECAD Green Your Community Launch

Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, Co. Cork, 24th February 9.30am – 1pm

9.30 Registration

10.00 Welcome address

Dr. Michael John O’Mahony, Assistant Director, Environmental Education Unit, An Taisce

Ryan Howard, CEO, SECAD

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food

Dr. Mary Stack, Environmental Awareness Officer, Cork County Council

11.15 Coffee Break

11.45 Jim Wilson, Wildlife Consultant, Writer and Broadcaster

John Kelly, Invasive Species Ireland

Alison Hyland & Aidan Gray, Coastal Programme Officers, Environmental Education Unit, An Taisce

Questions & Answers

13.00 Close

To reserve your place at the launch please RSVP before

5pm Friday 17th February 2012 to:

Alison Hyland

01 4002205

ahyland@eeu.antaisce.org

 

 

 

Feb 14, 2012

Smile Resource Exchange Event

invite you

to our upcoming event

Saving Money through Industry Links and Exchanges

 

Thursday 1 March 2012

Castlemartyr Resort, Ladysbridge Rd.,

Castlemartyr, Co. Cork.

8.45am – 1.00pm

Attendance is free and lunch is provided Booking is essential as places are limited

save money network with business reduce waste

To register log onto

www.smileexchange.ie

 

 

 

 

Feb 8, 2012

Green Drinks 16th February 2012

Green Drinks will take place on Thursday 16th February 2012 at Dennehy’s Pub, Cornmarket Street, from 6.30 pm – 7.30pm. This is a get together to allow people with an interest in sustainability and the environment to chat in an informal way.  Phoebe Bright one of our members will introduce her work on a new currency.  Green Drinks is a social outlet to catch up with old friends and meet new people. We look forward to seeing you there. 

 

 

 

 

Feb 6, 2012

Green Careers

"Green Careers Ireland – a new website, based in Cork, updating you on all the latest environmental jobs, internships, courses and events around the country."

www.greencareersireland.com

 

 

 



 

Feb 5, 2012

Fwd: Community Fund Offers Source of Matching Finance for Community Projects


Community Fund Offers Source of Matching Finance for Community Projects and more...


Community Fund Offers Source of Matching Finance for Community Projects

Cork County CouncilCork County Council has established a €1 million fund to support community projects and initiatives. Allocations from the fund will be made to Community groups, sporting organisations and local organisations who propose to undertake projects in their areas.  The funding can be used as part matching funding for community projects funded under the Rural Development Programme.

The closing date for applications is 29th February 2012.

Find out more and download the application for by following this link to the Cork County Council website
Introduction
Cork County Council is committed to supporting local communities. Allocations from the Community Fund will be available as grant aid to community groups and
local organisations wishing to undertake development projects in their area.
Grants paid under the Community Fund will only be paid in respect of projects commenced and completed in 2012/2013.
Aim of the Scheme
The aim of this Scheme is to promote sustainable community development by
supporting community & voluntary groups and local organisations in County Cork to
undertake projects in their area.
Eligible Projects
The scheme will focus on supporting projects that fall under the following categories:
1. Youth/Aged 2. Health/Education 3. Development and support of sustainable community and voluntary effort 4. Match funding linked to third party funding lines
5. *Community Contracts 6. Other projects
* Community Contracts: Cork County Council may consider making a financial contribution to community groups carrying out works on behalf of the Local Authority in a voluntary capacity.
Closing Date
The closing date for receipt of applications for the Community Fund is up to 5p.m.Wednesday 29th February 2012.
Application Process
Completed community fund application forms should be returned by post to:
The Senior Executive Officer,
Corporate, Community & Emergency Services Department
Floor 14
County Hall
Cork.
Tel. 021-4285355
 

WCDP Care & Maintenance of Local Heritage Course

Michael Collins bust at HomesteadThe hugely popular Care & Maintenance of Local Heritage course will be starting again soon, this time in Innishannon.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

The course would be most suitable for individuals and groups who may either have ideas for projects to promote heritage or who are seeking to rejuvenate existing projects. The course would also have a broad appeal for individuals with an interest in local heritage.

 DURATION

This course will be on Tuesday nights from 7pm-10pm.

 PROPOSED DATES OF TRAINING

Tuesday, 14th February to Tuesday 24th April

 COST OF TRAINING

The fee for this course is €50

LOCATION: INNISHANNON

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

There is an application form available to apply to participate in this course. Please return by Thursday, 9th February.

Aim of the Course:

-        To develop an understanding of the need for care and maintenance of local heritage in its widest context.

-        To provide practical information and training in relation to the care and maintenance of local heritage.

-        To encourage and integrated approach to the care of local heritage.

-        To promote best practice in the care of local heritage.

-        To enhance the capacity of local groups to work effectively as teams to undertake appropriate care of local heritage.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Introduction to heritage

Heritage: an introduction; Sources for research; Understanding and protecting natural heritage; Introduction to Archaeology; Heritage Presentation & Interpretation; Commemoration through Public Art; Architectural and built heritage: An introduction; Legal framework for heritage protection.

Tuesday February 14th, 21st, 28th, March 6th & 13th

Saturday March 3rd (10am—4pm) Fieldtrip—Exploring local heritage

Module 2: Care & Maintenance of Heritage

Care and Maintenance of Archaeological and historic sites; Conserving built heritage—theory and practice; Recording Local Heritage; Place-name and local identity. Workshop 1—Review of project research

Tuesday March 20th, 27th

Saturday March 31st (10am—4pm) Field trip—Issues in heritage management

Module 3: Capacity Building

Workshop 2—Village & Area Enhancement; Making A Heritage Plan; Funding heritage Projects; Walking Routes & Trails; Course review & presentation of certificates.

Tuesday April 3rd, 17th & 24th

For further information on this course, please contact Lisa Cashman at 023 8834035 or lisac@wcdp.ie.

 

Digital Business Seminar February 2012 – Innishannon & Skibbereen

digital businessWe are pleased to announce two more Digital Business seminars this Spring.  The  1 day seminars will explore how digital marketing and online communications can give your businessa competitive edge in 2012. Having already held seminars in Clonakilty, Bantry and Macroom last December, this February the seminars will take place in  Innishannon & Skibbereen

The seminars takes place in -
Innishannon on Friday 24th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Skibbereen on Monday 27th of February, 2012 from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Digital Business: improve efficiency | increase profits

If  you are looking to increase productivity, reduce costs, improve online marketing and gain a competitive edge for your small business then this seminar is for you.

The internet, social media, communication and collaboration technologies are transforming the way companies do business. Digital tools and techniques are affordable, effective and can revolutionise your small business. Find out how in this unique 1 day seminar with online communications and marketing specialists Alfie Keary and Calvin Jones.

Morning Session: Digital Marketing

  • Get more from every marketing Euro
  • Understand your online customers
  • Improve your search engine rankings
  • Connect and engage with your customers using social media and e-mail marketing
  • Reach more people with the viral potential of online networks

Afternoon Session: Digital Communications

  • Control your time, travel & carbon costs
  • Extend your business reach
  • Deliver superior services
  • Make faster, smarter decisions and do business more efficiently and effectively
  • Connect with staff, clients and business partners in real time regardless of location

Attendance at a seminar costs €15 and includes lunch. Places at each seminar are on an application basis only. Closing date for applications is Monday, February 20th. Please contact David Tuohy in the West Cork Development Partnership on 023 8834035 or email david@wcdp.ie to receive an application form.

 

National Tree Week 4th – 10th March 2012

National Tree WeekNational Tree Week 4th – 10th March 2012: Can you help CEF to plant a 1000 Tree Legacy for Cork. Through one of our members we have been able to source 1000 Oak and Ash saplings which we would like to plant during tree week. We are looking for community projects that would be in a position to plant a substantial number of trees. Please get in touch if you have such a project in mind. We encourage all groups and communities to get involved in this National Tree Council initiative by planting trees, organising walks in local woods and visiting champion trees. We are in the process of organising some such events and will forward details shortly.

About National Tree Week 2012tree planting ceremony

National Tree Week is an annual, week-long festival celebrating all positive aspects of trees in our lives and environment.  It is organised by the Tree Council of Ireland.
National Tree Week takes place from 4-10 March 2012.  The theme is 'Trees – Our Past, Our Present, Our Future'.  During National Tree Week, as well as prompting people to plant more trees, we are asking people to celebrate our remarkable heritage of trees and woodlands and to recognise the significance of trees and forests as a living link to our past, as an enjoyable, life-enhancing asset in the present, and as a wise investment in our future.
National Tree Week is an opportune chance for Tree Council member organisations, local authorities, tidy towns and community groups, schools, families and many others all over Ireland to do something positive for their local landscape.  By setting up events for National Tree Week within your community or organisation, you can inspire people, young and old, to get out into the fresh air and together plant thousands of trees.  It is great fun too – even on a wet blustery day, the thrill of going out and getting your hands dirty, something many of us don't do often enough, is really rewarding and satisfying whether you are planting one tree or a hundred.
One of the main projects of National Tree Week 2012 is the distribution of over 15,000 trees, sponsored by Coillte, and distributed by local authorities throughout the country to local community groups and schools for planting during and around National Tree Week.  If your school or community group would like to receive some of these trees for planting during National Tree Week, contact your local County or City Council.

How To Get Involvedcouple in costume

To be part of National Tree Week, the Tree Council of Ireland invites you to organise one or more events for the week to celebrate trees. As well as tree planting ceremonies, the range of events can include forest and woodland walks, nature trails, workshops, woodturning displays, talks, tree hugging, tree climbing, broadcasts, launches, poetry readings, exhibitions, dramas, competitions and tree plantathons where communities are challenged to plant a target number of trees on a designated local site over a fixed time period. Don't forget to register your event, so that other people can come and join you! Visit the Tree Council of Ireland Website for the Cork Environmental Forum more details or Register your event here.

 

 

WCDP Public Information Meetings 2012

WCDP Public Meeting Ballinacarriga

January 2012 – WCDP Public Information Meetings

With over 250 people turning out across 4 locations, the January WCDP Public Information Meetings really showed the appetite amongst the West Cork public to get on and do things.Whether it was community groups with new project proposals or people considering developing or expanding a business it was heartening to see that the mood was very much positive and optimistic.

The workshops were an opportunity to learn more about the work of the WCDP – particularly the work being done under the Rural Development Programe.
Under the Rural Development Programme the West Cork Development Partnership have funded numerous community and private projects throughout West Cork over the last number of years – in showcasing some of these projects we hope to inspire the confidence in others to take on their project ideas in 2012.

For information about WCDP and on projects funded to date please visit www.wcdp.ie/rdp-project-allocations

If you would like to speak with one of our staff about a project of your own please contact us on 0238834035 or email info@wcdp.ie

 

Think Tank Day for Cork on Sustainable Development in Ireland

Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork City Council, Cork County Council, & Cork Environmental Forum Along with Local Development Companies
presents
Think Tank Day for Cork on A Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland

Date: Thursday 9th February 2012
Venue: County Hall, Floor 16, Carrigrohane Road, Cork

The draft national strategy for sustainable development is open for public consultation until 29th February 2012. This provides an opportunity for all pillars of society to come together to explore, discuss and inform on challenges, conflicts and solutions and review the national document on sustainable development.

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We plan to create an opportunity for an open and frank discussion whilst collecting and respecting diverse opinions. The aim of the day is to create a declaration that can be used in whole or in part by the various organisations represented on the day to prepare for submissions to the Department.

"Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare." Japanese proverb

This is currently in draft format and is therefore subject to change
* Confirmed Speaker
Social Media Used will include LinkedIn
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1166530870&ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Public-
Consultation-for-A-Framework-for-Sustainable-Development-in-
Ireland/352068001470810
Twitter: shirleyatsyspro

SCHEDULE:
9.00-9.20 Registration with T/C
9.20-9.25 Opening Address by Dr Shirley Gallagher*
9.25-9.45 Welcome from County/City Manager/VEC/Mayors
9.45-10.15 Introduction to Sustainable Development by Michael Ewing,* Chairman of Environment Pillar

10.15-11.45 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges 1-4
Topic:
1 Sustainability of Public Finances & Economic Resilience. Gerry Meagher
2 Sustainable Consumption & Production. Enda Kiernan *
3 Conservation & Management of Natural Resources. Bill Liao
4 Climate Change & Clean Energy. John Mullins

11.25-11.45 Summary by each Facilitator

11.45-13.15 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges 5-8
Topic:
5 Sustainable Agriculture. Virginia Stearns *
6 Sustainable Transport. Conaill Mac Aonghusa*
7 Social Inclusion, Sustainable communities' & Spatial Planning. Andrew Hind *
8 Public Health. TBC

12.55-13.15 Summary by each Facilitator
13.15-13.45 Lunch

13.45-15.15 World Café Style Discussions on Challenges
Topic:
9 Education, Communication & Behaviour Change. Thomas Reidmuller*
10 Innovation, Research & Development. TBC
11 Skills & Training.  Ted Owens
12 Global Poverty & Sustainable Development. Jose Ospina*

14.55-15.15 Summary by each Facilitator
15.15-15.40 T/C
15.40-16.45 Creation of Declaration of Opinion

 

More Recent Articles



Your requested content delivery powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 9 Thoreau Way, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA. +1.978.776.9498

 

Feb 2, 2012

A New Home For Walnut Books



2012 brings good news for this little bookshop and I am very pleased to announce that Walnut Books has found a new home. Liz O'Shea and Mollie Barrow, who have been running the Sheelagh na Gig bookshop in Cloughjordan for the past 5 years, have taken on walnutbooks.com and will be running it from their lovely shop next door to the ecovillage. They are well equipped to provide the kind of informed and tailored service customers of Walnut Books will be familiar with and, having started life at The Hollies, the new base in Cloughjordan feels like an excellent fit for Walnut Books.

 

Liz and Mollie have big plans for the business and you can follow the progress of the re-launched Walnut Books by 'liking' the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/WalnutBooks  

 

If you would prefer not to remain a subscriber to the Walnut Books mailing list simply reply 'unsubscribe' to the new Walnut Books email address: orders@walnutbooks.com.  

 

I wish Liz and Mollie every success and hope they will enjoy running Walnut Books as much as I have!

 

Nora Gaffney

 

 

 

 

New contact details below

-------------------------------------------

Walnut Books

Sheelagh na Gig

Main St

Cloughjordan

Co. Tipperary

 

Phone: 0505 42123 / (International) 00353 505 42123

Email: orders@walnutbooks.com

Web: www.walnutbooks.com