Dirty old Dublin: Eighteenth-century Dublin is best remembered for its splendid Georgian squares and streets. Yet, underneath this glamorous exterior was a city rife with poverty and disease.
The discovery in Australia last year of previously unknown drawings by Hugh Douglas Hamilton (1740-1809) throws new light on this historic underbelly of our capital city. Hamilton failed to find a publisher for his drawings during his lifetime, but they have now been published by the Irish Georgian Society, alongside essays by leading scholars. The Cries of Dublin, by Hugh Douglas Hamilton, edited by William Laffan is available in bookshops for €25 (paperback), or €40 (hardback).
Clearing the water
Up to half of our domestic wells and at least 30 per cent of our rivers are polluted. On Saturday next, members of environmental organisations, fishing groups, local authorities and the public are invited to the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath to discuss how to improve Irish water. Following the seminar, the Heritage Council will make recommendations to the Government. Those interested in attending should contact the Heritage Council at tel: 056-7770777.
Don't be a Dodo
Extinction - A Gap in Nature is the title of the current series of lectures at the Natural History Museum, Merrion Street, Dublin.
Next Wednesday, author and artist, Gordon D'Arcy will discuss Ireland's lost birds. On Wednesday, October 22nd, Dr Neil Stronach from Fota Wildlife Park will talk about what measures can be taken to prevent further species becoming extinct. Nigel Monaghan, keeper of the Natural History Museum, will conclude the series on Wednesday, October 29th with a look at the Ice - Age animals of Ireland. Each lecture begins at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Tel: 1890 687386.
Young environmentalists
Twelve- to 18-year-olds from the Republic and Northern Ireland have until the end of the month to submit their ideas for the fifth Eco-Unesco Environmentalists Awards. With a choice of five themes - energy, water, air, waste and biodiversity, entrants have until February 2004 to complete their projects. Winning entries from a total of 270 projects submitted earlier this year include an examination of the reduction of biodiversity along the Connemara coastline (Clifden Community School, Clifden, Co Galway) and the development of a school wildlife garden (Friends School, Lurgan, Co Armagh). For information packs and entry forms, tel: 01-6625491 or e-mail ecounesco@eircom.net
If you go out in the woods . . .
Thousands of primary school children will go on guided walks of woodlands on Thursday to celebrate Tree Day. The walks will be hosted by Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Heritage Services and the Dublin local authorities.
Contact the Tree Council at tel: 01-2849211 or see www.treecouncil.ie for further details.