Beo News
Burren tops Nationwide Heritage Survey
A new survey on Heritage sites in Ireland has found that the Burren is Ireland’s favourite heritage site, ahead of Newgrange, the Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough and the Hill of Tara. The Burren, one of 10 Irish sites on the Unesco heritage “tentative” list, is also the site that most people would prefer to be granted Unesco World Heritage Site status. The survey of 200 respondents from 23 counties was conducted by Ecclesiastical, an insurer of heritage buildings, and took place over the Summer. Source: Irish Times
Call for paid conservation workers for new project
The new Burren Farming for Conservation Project (BFCP), successor to BurrenLIFE, has begun developing conservation plans on over 100 Burren farms. Plans are being developed by trained advisors who assess the conservation needs of the farm and the condition of the grassland habitats, which in turn determine payment levels to farmers. In an effort to ensure sufficient labour is available to complete an ambitious programme of conservation work in 2010 – including scrub removal, wall repair and habitat restoration – the BFCP are assembling a database of paid workers which will be made available to Burren farmers. To register, contact info@burrenlife.com or 065-7089000.
Autumn Heritage.
The Burrenbeo Trust is carrying out an evening course on the Burren heritage over the coming Autumn months. The course will be held every Tuesday evening from 19th October-4th December, including two field trips on a Saturday (13th Nov & 4th Dec). We have key experts teaching on this course Colin Bunce, Michael Lynch, Christine Grant, Eugene Lambe, Stephen Ward, Sharon Parr and Brendan Dunford. The course is €150 with 10% discount for Trust members. To register your interest or receive further information, please contact trust@burrenbeo.com or telephone 091 638096.
Passing of Bridín Twist
Founder of the Burren Holistic Centre and former national president of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA), Bridín Twist, has died. Born in Ennis in 1948 Bridín set up the Holistic Centre and made it available to groups running their own courses while providing treatments ranging from integrated energy therapy, Reiki healing, body talk and massage to stress-management and personal growth. Commiserations to her family on their sad loss.
Burren buzzing with life
Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre have identified the Burren as the most important habitat in Britain and Ireland for a very rare and threatened species of bee – the Great Yellow Bumblebee. In addition, previously unknown colonies of the rare Shrill Carder bee and the Red Shanked Carder bee have also been found confirming the Burren as ‘one of the principal sites for bumblebee conservation in Ireland" according to Dr. Una Fitzpatrick of the NBDC.
The contribution bees make to agriculture and the horticultural sector in Ireland is estimated to be worth €50m each year. Unfortunately, of the 101 different species of bee in Ireland, around 30 are now threatened with extinction. The Burren features three- quarters of all the species of bumble bee found in Ireland. The NBDC has compiled a pocket-size book to help people identify different types of bumblebee and have asked people to keep an eye out for bumblebees and took note of what they have seen so we can gather more data about the bee population in the Burren. Source: Irish Independent.
“Landscape” - The performance
On Sunday September 19th at 12pm at Eagle’s rock, Slieve Carron, a dance performance at the sacred site of St Colman’s well and surrounds will take place. The performance, titled “Landscape’ explores the places of convergence and divergence between the internal landscapes of the human body/psyche and the natural landscapes of the Burren. It aims to deepen conscious embodiment, becoming more alive and receptive to the internal and the external worlds.
This event will go ahead in any weather conditions so be prepared for all possibilities and bring along a packed lunch for the picnic! Capacity is limited so please email gwendolinemchale@hotmail.com to book or enquire. Landscape is a multi-disciplinary project involving ten artists working in dance, film, photography, writing, drawing, graphic design and sound. Landscape has been supported by Daghdha, FAS, Clare County Council, The Arts Council and Limerick City Council. This event is part of NOW: presentations by the Daghdha Mentoring Programme 2010. For the full programme see www.daghdha.ie
Creating a learning space for the Burren
The Burrenbeo Trust, with support from Galway Rural Development Ltd, have been busy enhancing their resource centre in Kinvara to help provide locals and visitors alike with a better insight to the wonders of the Burren. From new wildflower posters to information panels, from an on-line information portal to a wide range of heritage publications, the Trust building has more than ever to offer young and old.
Visitors to the centre will find a range of Burren wildlife adorning the walls – from feral goats to Irish hares, all beautifully brought to life by wildlife artist, Gordon D’Arcy. You can even go on a wildflower hunt, searching out orchids and gentians in all sorts of unusual locations.
The Trust is now available to take groups of primary school children (supervised by their teachers, of course!) and to do a ‘wild child in the Burren’ session with them; this involves learning about the Burren both in centre and through outdoor games. Days are designed around the ages of the children. Basic rate is €5 per child. For more info contact trust@burrenbeo.com or 091 638096.
Burrenbeo Trust Events Calendar for September 2010
Sat 11th of September at 9.45 am Slieve Carran Nature Reserve Guided Spirituality Walk with Tony Kirby. Fee applies. info@heartofburrenwalks.com
Sat, 18th September. Coole Park. A 5km run in aid of Cope Galway. For more information contact fundraising@copegalway.ie
Sun, 19th September. Mullaghmore. The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club meet at the base of Mullaghmore at 10.30am. For more information contact Michael on 086 0767776.
Fri- Sun 24-26th September. Fanore/Blackhead. The Ballyvaughan Fanore Walking Club are organising the Burren Peaks Walking Festival. A series of different walks and levels over the weekend. For more information look up www.burrenpeakswalkingfestival.com
Fri- Sun 24-26th September. Inis Oirr. A stone wall building workshop with Pat McAfee. For more information contact Marie Mannion on mmannion@galwaycoco.ie
Sat, 25th September. Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher Marathon. This is for walkers and runners and many different distances and levels. For more info www.cliffsofmohermarathon.ie
Burren Craft award Burren Craft award Congrats to Burrin’s Antoinette Hensey of Wilde and Wooly who won second prize in the Knitting and Crochet category at the RDS National Craft Competition for her ‘Old Croghan Man’ ceremonial jacket. The winning entry was Antionette’s interpretation of what may have been worn by Old Croghan man on his day of execution. It is made from rust lamb’s wool, black lamb’s wool and purple Shetland wool and the design is a sixteen stitch four row herringbone pattern with “jewels” at repeat points on collar, cuff and peplum ahensey@eircom.net
Imeco Farm is a renewable energy and eco centre which has recently been established in Clarecastle to offer hands-on workshops and class-room style introductory courses to Renewable Energy. Imeco farm offers visitors the opportunity to experience renewable energy hands-on by displaying step-by-step guides and full-scale working models as well as offering DIY courses for a more environmentally friendly future. More info at www.imecofarm.com
Pilates. Eileen Kelly, local pilates teacher and trained physiotherapist is holding two pilates classes a week in the Burrenbeo Resource Centre on Tuesdays and Thursday at 9.30am for an hour. Bookings and Enquires welcome in Cafebeo or contact Eileen on eileenkellyphysio@gmail.com or 087-7714214 for further information.
Wall to wall. The Burrenbeo Trust is holding a stonewall workshop on the 9th October from 10am-4pm near Kinvara. This workshop led by local stone wall specialist John Connolly will guide participants through the history of stonewalls in the Burren, the conservation of stone walls and the process of building them. This is free for Trust members and a €20 fee for non-members. For more info contact trust@burrenbeo.com or phone 091 638096. Meanwhile, Galway Co. Co. Heritage Officer Marie Mannion is organising a weekend Stone wall workshop on Inis Oirr from 24th – 26th September 2010 with stonemason Patrick McAfee. For more info contact Marie Mannion on 091 509198 or mmannion@galwaycoco.ie
Clare Farm Heritage Tours
Farming in the Burren has a rich and intriguing history that extends over 5,500 years. A new Burren venture initiated by a group of local farmers offers people a fantastic opportunity to delve into the Burren’s rich farming heritage and visit places off the ‘beaten track’. All of the farms in this new initiative have a variety of fascinating heritage features – even more interesting when interpreted by the farmers who have managed these sites for generations. For more details on this wonderful initiative, call 065 7089944 or email heritagetours.co.op@gmail.com
AN APPEAL - INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF THE BURREN
The Burrenbeo Trust does not receive any State-funding or core funding grants. While we receive grants towards some of our projects, we need to match these grants with our own funds. Also, such grants make no contribution to our overhead costs. As a result, we need to raise an additional €20,000 core funding to allow us to meet our goals for 2010.
Did you know? If you donate €250 or more to the Burrenbeo Trust as a company, your Company can claim tax back on it at 12.5%. If you are self-employed you can also claim tax back on your donation, up to 41%. If you are a PAYE earner we can claim tax back, again up to 41%.
How can you help? We are appealing to the members, friends and supporters around the world to whom this monthly newsletter is sent free of charge. You can donate by going to www.burrenbeo.com then to the Trust page where there is a DONATE TO THE TRUST option.
The Burrenbeo Trust would like to thank you for the positive response we have had so far towards our fundraising appeal. We are grateful for all the donations that have come in. Current total: €1200, Target €20k!
Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers – Doing our bit for the Burren!
The Burrenbeo Conservation Volunteers are grateful to the volunteers that came out to Mullaghmore on the 14th August to address the conservation issue of hazel encroachment by cutting it back in areas of rich species grassland in the National Park. The next outing on the 11th September with butterfly expert, Jesmond Harding. The site is in Fahee North and its grid ref is M 299 003.It is about 2.5km from Cassidy's Bar. Tools to clear Hazel and Hawthorn are needed to cut back an important area that is taking over a Marsh Fritillary breeding site. Everyone welcome, register at trust@burrenbeo.com so you are included in the volunteer mail outs. BCVs is a LA21-funded group set up by the Trust to tackle key conservation issues around the Burren.
Trust’s Monthly Talk
‘A historical tour through the Burren’ with Bill McInerney, 16th September 2010
8.30pm @ Michael Cusack Centre, Carron
Bill is a Burren enthusiast who has lived in the Burren for 35 years. He has a
wealth of knowledge on various aspects of the Burren. This slide show will
take us through the historical monuments and architecture of the Burren to other
elements of these wondrous landscape that is seen around us.
This talk is open to everyone. It is free for Burrenbeo Trust Members and a
donation from non-members. For more information please email
trust@burrenbeo.comor phone 091 638096.
The Burrenbeo Trust Information Centre
The Burrenbeo Trust Centre now has more paintings by Gordon D’Arcy up on its walls. Coming also this month is a map that will be placed on the outside of the building and information boards on the Burren will be upstairs in the centre. Cafébeo – the Burren’s only conservation café is grateful to St.Tola in supporting the work of the Burrenbeo Trust by providing the cafe with goat’s cheese free of charge for our menu – so come in and try it! Cafébeo is open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Drop in and support this 100% non-profit conservation café.
Trust helpers.
We would like to thanks Cian Lynch and Tom Eustace for taking time in helping the Trust with IT aspects. We would like to thank Elaine O’Malley for offering her time up to guide the summer Wednesday walks. And finally to Sarah O’Malley for helping us with the Scavenger Hunt in Slieve Carran. All time and expertise that is donated to the Trust is gratefully received.
A date for your diary.
The Burrenbeo Trust is holding its AGM on the 23rd October in Kinvara. All Trust members are invited and encouraged to attend. The AGM will be followed by an evening event that is open to everyone with a very special keynote speaker. More information to follow next month.
Visitor Payback Scheme Did you know that your tourism business could be more environmental-friendly and inviting to potential tourists by being part of the Visitor Payback Scheme. This scheme encourages local businesses to donate 1% of their profits to a local community project or charity. The Heart of the Burren walks has the Burrenbeo Trust as its chosen charity as part of this scheme.
A big thanks to the Kinvara Playschool Group who donated €520 to the work of the Trust. This money will go towards developing the children’s environmental learning zone in the centre in Kinvara.
Are you on Facebook? Become of a friend of or ‘like’ the Burrenbeo Trust and be kept up to date regularly.
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