Cork County gearing up to celebrate National Tree Week with a flourish
NATIONAL Tree Week 2019 will commence next Sunday and already a great range of events have been planned throughout the County of Cork.
As Irish people, our native trees and woodlands have occupied a very important space in our psyche and there is again a growing understanding of the importance of looking after our native trees and environment as a whole as to a large extent it is trees that have the potential to look after us as we tackle the issue of climate change.
While thankfully in County Cork, our forest cover is above that of the national average, which presently stands at 11.07%, Ireland fails to rank even in the top 140 countries in the world in terms of forest cover- the European average forest cover per nation stands at 37% for example.
Tree Week provides this opportunity for people to get out and about and meet others who care about our trees and the folklore and knowledge that they have bestowed on us as an Irish people.
With thanks to the Tree Council of Ireland Cork County Council is in a position to provide native trees for free to a number of different community groups and organisations and it is not too late to put in a request and organise a local event.
Simply send the request to conor.nelligan@corkcoco.ie or phone 021 4285905.
Events organised to date for National Tree Week range from Ballydehob, Schull and Bantry in West Cork to Carrigaline, Cobh and Kilmurry and these promise to be very exciting, particularly with the wonderful pick-up in weather that we have been experiencing these past few days.
For many in Cork, the name Ted Cook is synonymous with Trees and during Tree Week 2019, with thanks to the Kilmurry Historical and Archaeological Association, Ted will lead a walk of Warrenscourt Woods near Kilmurry on Saturday, April 6 at 2pm.
The walk will take around two-and-a-half hours and everyone is welcome to attend and indeed to bring along a picnic.
For full details of all Tree Week Events 2019 taking place in County Cork visit https:// treecouncil.ie/cork.
Farming for Nature award scheme
TREES are an important part of our landscape, both urban and rural. With regard to rural landscapes and good heritage practice, it is the country’s farmers that often do us proud in how they maintain and value the full biodiversity of the lands that they manage.
In recognising the important role that so many farmers play in safeguarding natural heritage, a Farming for Nature Award Scheme has been put in place.
One of the key aims of the awards is to share positive stories of how farming and nature can work hand-in-hand with the hope of creating new role models for sustainable farming across Ireland. People can log on online at www.farmingfornature.ie/awards/nomination and make their nomination. The Awards are intended for farmers who have made a significant contribution to the protection or enhancement of nature on their farm and/or in their locality; are farming in a manner that is agriculturally, economically and socially progressive; have shared their passion with others (eg through walks, local media etc., and have a record of engagement with other stakeholders.
The award is supported by Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme and the deadline for nominations is the Saturday, May 12.
Thatched Houses of County Cork
ON Thursday April 4, attention will be turned to tradition craft in the world of heritage, with a focus on the Thatched Houses of County Cork – the title of a talk being given by County Archaeologist Mary Sleeman in Blarney Secondary School, Blarney, commencing at 8pm.
Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge, rushes, or heather, and layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof.
It is a very old roofing method still in use in many parts of the world. The talk is an illustrated tour of the many different types of thatch house still to be seen in County Cork together with an explanation of the history of thatching.
The event is being organised by the Blarney and District Historical Society and all are welcome to attend.
Stone experts to deliver workshop
ON Saturday and Sunday, April 6/7 attention will turn to the traditional building craft of stonework with a two-day workshop taking place at Bessborough, Mahon.
This workshop will be run by Christian Helling, Julia Gebel, Ken Curran and in association with experts in their field Carl Kennedy, Jim Fahy, Mathew Maw, Victor Franchet and Daniel Henkel.
These trainers all have expertise in traditional stonework in Cork city, local sources for stone and quarries, work fashions and styles and stone conservation techniques.
The event will include practical demonstrations on topics covering lime and hot lime mortar, architectural stone carving, letter cutting, dry stone walling, pebble mosaic, stone repair and maintenance, installation of cut stone elements and an opportunity to work on a limestone arch construction’.
The workshop is aimed primarily at heritage groups and organisations, members of the public and property owners.
For further information; details of pricing and to book a place visit www.eventbrite.ie/e/set-in-stone-traditional-stoneworkshop