HORIZONS

Trees that please: People all over Ireland are encouraged to focus on the pleasure that trees bring to our lives during National Tree Week, which begins tomorrow. This year's theme, Our trees, our culture, reflects on how trees are featured in music, literature and even surnames, eg Cullen from Cuillen (holly) and Darragh from Dair (oak).

Tomorrow, there will be a special free guided tree walk in the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin at 2.30pm, free entry to the JFK Arboretum in New Ross, Co Wexford and a family activity day at Glenveagh National Park in Co Donegal from 1-4pm. Various local authorities have organised walks, talks and tree plantings with local schools throughout the week. See treecouncil.ie for full schedule of countrywide events.

Remembering the servants

The life of the servants, the often forgotten chapter of Irish country houses, is the subject of a public talk on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street. The talk will be given by Jeremy Musson, former architectural editor of Country Lifemagazine, presenter of the BBC2 series The Curious House Guestand author of the forthcoming book, Up and Down Stairs: A History of the Country House Servant(John Murray). Admission €20 on the door or online on www.igs.ie. Meanwhile, the challenges of improving energy efficiency in old houses is the theme of a conference on Tuesday, March 10th in Dublin Castle.

Tel: 01-6767053 or info@igs.ie

Heritage funds granted

The conservation and re-binding of the earliest minute books held by the GAA, the re-establishment of viable breeding populations of white-tailed sea eagles in south-west Ireland and a traditional skills and craft workshop in Co Clare are among the projects awarded funding by the Heritage Council earlier this week. “Heritage is not a luxury but essential to our quality of life and sustainable economy,” said Heritage Council CEO Michael Starrett at the announcement of grants worth €4.1 million. Meanwhile, a new degree course at the Institute of Technology in Sligo aims to equip students for employment in green tourism. The Ecogem/Ecotourism BA is coordinated by ecotourism lecturer Dr James Hanrahan. See ecogem.webs.com

Ecoweb

www.coillteoutdoors.ie

Check out the forests where you can find blankets of bluebells on this site. Also, plenty of details on walking, hiking and cycling trails including links to looped walks, access to mountain trails and printable maps.

sthompson@irishtimes.com