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Ormonde College of Further Education in conjunction with Future Proof Kilkenny present:
Building the Future from the Past
Ormonde College of further Education, Kilkenny, Monday 17 – Thurs 21 Aug 10am – 5pm, €70-€240 (depending on course)
Creating healthy green buildings using traditional natural materials. A series of hand-on introductory workshops and demonstrations of green building techniques. Participants can choose their area of interest or mix between workshops. Workshops are located in the heart of Kilkenny at Ormonde College of further Education. Available as one, two or four day workshops. Open Day on friday 21st August for members of the public to visit the workshop space and speak with the tutors.
Dimitry Orlov, author of Reinventing Collapse, speaking at the New Emergency conference
There were quite a few Irish Transition Towns represented at Feasta’s recent New Emergency conference including Monaghan, Clonmel, Cloughjordan and Kilkenny. It was a three day affair arguing that we are at the oil peak and now face the twin problems of climate change and peak oil along with an economy in steep decline. “This is an emergency – we are just not acting as if it is!” was one comment from the plenary session drawing on the analogy that we are now in a “phoney war” period before things really start to unravel. Continue Reading »
Mayor Malcolm Noonan endorsing the March for Peace. Photo: Eoin Hennessy/www.ehp.ie
Peace Park, Kilkenny, Sat 8th August, 12-4pm
Future Proof Kilkenny members Gerard and Kristina Wright are organising Kilkenny’s input to the world-wide march for peace campaign. The movement is working towards international peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons, and also for an end to domestic violence, unfair dismissal, and home evictions. The World March is represented in Kilkenny by the Peace and Non-Violence Association Ireland, whose next event is a commemoration of Hiroshima this coming Saturday from noon to 4pm in the Peace Park beside the River Nore in the city.
The World March is the first ever World March that will travel the world asking for the end of wars, the dismantling of nuclear weapons and for an end to all forms of violence (physical, economic, racial, religious, cultural, sexual and psychological).
For more information on the global movement click the logo.
Although we don’t have much planned over the summer there is plenty going on locally and around the country on the theme of transitioning. Here’s a couple of events over the next two weeks that you might be interested in.
Heritage wheat and oat varieties
Camphill Jerpoint, Thomastown, Tuesday 11th August, 7-8pm, Free
This is a return visit to the trial wheat plantings that were carried out during our “Grow your own cereal” course last spring. The wheat is almost ready to be harvested (weather permitting) and this evening is a chance to observe this “visual treat” of 30 different varieties dating from Roman times right through to the present day. Participants of the spring course as well as anybody else who is interested are welcome to attend. Contact Brian (0567725913) or Michal (0863104638) if you can make it.
Edible and Medicinal Herb Identification
Marlfield Lake, Clonmel, Sunday 9th August, 3:30pm, Free
This event is being organised by the Transition Town Clonmel group.
Are you interested in finding our more about wild plants and their uses? Come along and learn about our local natural heritage, the amazing variety of plants that are hiding in our local habitats, how to identify them and how they can be used. This family event will be led by herbalist Christine Maxwell with assistance from ecologist Mieke Muyllaert. You are welcome to bring along plants you want identified and if you would like to make a reference book to take home bring an old book or notebook (no glossy pages) to press the plants in. Please bring stout shoes and rain gear – we will go ahead whatever the weather! If the weather is fine bring a picnic. As parking is limited at the lake, we would ask that people walk, cycle or car-share. Enquiries to Mieke Muyllaert (0526127930).
Full Permaculture & Powerdown Course
Cloughjordan EcoVillage, Tipperary, 21st-30th August, €550
This event is being organised by the Irish Transition Network and the Cloughjordan EcoVillage.
Topics include… Ecological Thinking * Energy * Passive Solar Design * Natural Building * Permaculture Principles * Community Design * Energy * Resilience Thinking * Natural and Human Systems * Forest Gardens * Energy Descent Planning * Charcoal Making * Local Economics * Eco-village Design * Transition Towns * Bioregionalism
The training focuses on the diversity, stability and resilience of natural ecosystems to provide a framework and guidance for people to develop their own sustainable solutions to the problems facing their world. This training is probably the most empowering anyone involved in Transition or developing sustainable community could take.
Tutors include: Graham Strouts, Kinsale College of Further Education, Davie Philip of Cultivate, Albert Bates of the Farm, Tennessee, and Klaudia van Gool, UK Permaculture teacher. Plus many of Irelands leading sustainability thinkers.
The price is €550 with a 10% concession for Cultivate, Transition and Village members. This price includes camping and a light lunch each day. Accommodation in Cloughjordan can be arranged.
Places are limited. To book call 01 6745773. For more info click here.
Climate Camp
Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, 15th-23rd August, Free (as far as I know!)
Inspired by the Climate Camps in the UK, ClimateCamp Ireland launches it’s first climate camp this year from 15th August. Its a nine day marathon of over 70 talks and workshops on everything from Cob Oven Building to Climate Change and Economic Growth to Musical Oil Rigs and Climate Puppets. It makes for a fantastic line up of speakers and subjects with something for everyone and plenty of campfire sessions late into the evenings. Check out the program here.
“One day we will run out of oil, it is not today or tommorro, but one day we will run out of oil and we have to leave oil before oil leaves us”. This is a quote from Dr. Birol, chief economist at the International Energy Agency in a recent interview with The Independent. His statement misses a crucial point. It is not when we run out of oil that the problems begin but when we reach the peak of oil production, the moment in time after which there will always be less and less oil. Many argue that this point was passed on July 11th 2008 (peak oil day) and that we are now on the downward slope. Since energy is a pre-requisite for economic activity it is inevitable that a declining energy supply means a declining economy. No wonder the global recession. Continue Reading »