By SYLIVA THOMPSON
Golden mile of Galway
Community and neighbourhood groups in Co Galway have until July 30th to enter their stretch of road in the Golden Mile of Galway competition. The aim is to encourage people to value local plant and animal life by keeping stone walls and ditches free of rubbish and litter. Advice and guidance on presenting your Golden Mile will be given at a seminar next Saturday in Brigit’s Garden, Roscahill.
Heritage experts will also show people how to read their local landscape. Contact Marie Mannion, heritage officer with Galway County Council, on 091-509198 or at mmannion@galwaycoco.ie.
School at sea in Bray
A marine-biology summer school for adults and teenagers runs at the National Sea Life Centre, in Bray, Co Wicklow, from August 11th to 21th. Led by the marine biologist Dr Sarah Varian, the school offers seashore safaris, marine wildlife sea- kayaking and a guide to Ireland’s seashore, plus an overall introduction to marine biology. The school begins with an evening walk along the Bray Head cliffs on August 11th. Workshops for adults are on August 13th-15th, and for teenagers from August 19th to 21th. See marinedimensions.ie or call 01-2828876/086-0866003.
Go wild with nature
Dublin children seeking an eco-adventure can join Eco-Explorers, Eco Unesco’s first environmental summer camp in the city.
Based at the Greenhouse (with trips to explore nature in the city), at 17 St Andrew Street, it runs from August 9th to 13th, from 10am to 3pm each day. It costs €100. Call 01-6625491 or see ecounesco.ie. Meanwhile, the annual Go Wild with Nature summer camp at the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, in Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare, runs from August 9th to 13th from 10am to 1pm each day. Suitable for ages seven to 13. Bookings on 045-860133.
Ecoweb
Check out the lively new website for Heritage Week, which celebrates our natural, cultural and built heritage from August 21st to 29th. New this year will be the Wild Child Day, on August 21st, which encourages you to get children outdoors to connect with nature whatever the weather.
heritageweek.ie