Big Hello in Kilkenny on the river Nore walks

Community in action, the big Hello  with KKB highlighting the wonderful riverside walks in Kilkenny, a great day was had at Riverside /entrance to the riverside Nore walk.  The event was sweetened by great cakes from Cakeface cafe, and washed down with tea, coffee and chat.  KKB reuseable cups were also showcased.  All the  faithful dogs being walked  were not forgotten about  with treats also  being enjoyed.   The message   is to protect the environment,  Keep Kilkenny Beautiful and collect after your dog.

Plant for the Planet and treeplanting week

KKB and Dukesmeadows residents  participated in a UN-backed global initiative which is being spearheaded in Ireland by the charity Crann, Trees for Ireland through their easy treesie project. With support from Kilkenny County Council, children are assisted in planting native and naturalised trees in their local area. Kilkenny City  was selected for a ceremonial tree planting in advance of Earth Day next Monday . This project will assist in providing a shelter belt and wildlife corridor, capture carbon and of course beautify our area.The fruit trees are also very important for our wildlife and pollinators.

Fruit tree planting at Dukesmeadows

Many children around the country have already had a chance to join in this environmental learning opportunity, planting over 14,000 trees in their local parks, community gardens, roadside verges and hospitals as part of the challenge for Ireland’s children to plant a million trees by 2023.

The trees have been specially selected by the team of specialists in easy treesie – Crann. Joining in this activity ties in with many curriculum objectives at local schools and will assist in their winning the International Green Flags.

There was a presentation at Dukesmeadows during the planting on the subject of trees and their importance for our city  by Orla Farrell of Crann . A great planting was has by all.  Our  children will have the opportunity to benefit from the fruit of their labours for many years to come.

KKB have been working with many groups throughout Kilkenny over the last number of years to plant  hundreds of fruit trees and bushes  suitable for their location.A number of community orchards have already been established and additional orchards are being planned. This action  continue over the next number of years. Residents associations and voluntary groups who would like to participate in this action are more than welcome to contact KKB for the next planting season.

The environment needs protection.

The environment needs protection.

For the past week, a group of 27 young environmentalists from 15 different European countries – have gathered in Kilkenny to learn about grassroots movements.

The network Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) organized a seminar ‘know your grassroots’, which brought them  together.

Today the group  joins Keep Kilkenny Beautiful, you could too!

 

 

Zoe Devlin presents “Wildflowers of Ireland- a personal Record”

A large crowd attended a very interesting presentation by Zoe Devlin titled ” Wildflowers of Ireland  – a personal record”  which recently took place in Kilkenny. The event was coordinated by Bird watch Ireland Kilkenny branch. Zoe reviewed Ireland’s rare flowers and also some of  the not so rare flowers including flowers growing in  Kilkenny. Invasive species were also reviewed.

The importance of pollinator species was discussed. The event ties in to the theme of improving habitat for our bees in Kilkenny. The importance of many plants to specific insects and  having adequate food for birds  was noted.

Rothe House Garden and KKB – open garden day

Saturday May 28th : Presentation at Bee friendly Rothe House garden  1pm-3pm.    There will also be the identification  of bee/pollinator  friendly plants. All are welcome.  Entry to the Gardens is free  to all on the day.  Arranged by KKB and Rothe House gardens.

We also welcome Tanguy de Toulgoët   a bee keeper to explain the art of bee keeping. He uses a French system using a  vertical divisible hive. The small boxes suits very well the size of the bee cluster especially during the winter. It is a great hive to keep bees naturally. They organise their nest in their own way and the surplus honey is harvested (if any) around August. The honey is stored in the higher boxes. The honey will be pressed or can be eaten in the comb. A full box is always left for the bees for the winter.

Rothe house gardens

Rothe house gardens

“Stop Food Waste Challenge” volunteers wanted!

Why not  take part in  the Kilkenny “Stop Food Waste Challenge”.  The aim is  to reduce your food waste, save money, have some fun and enjoy tasty meals on the way!

If you are interested in being part of the challenge, ring Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Officer on 056-7794487 or email your contact details to  mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com  or bernadette.moloney@kilkennycoco.ie before the 18th of September 2014.

food waste

 

Planter workshop at Sycamores and Aylesbury estate

planting workshop 3 planting workshopAs part of  the KKB pilot estate development project Sycamores and Aylesbury residents association  hosted a  planter basket  demonstration undertaken by Stuart Day  of the KKB.  The estate was recipient of  the overall KKB Tidy Towns Estate award in 2013. Congratulation to all who took part in arranging  the event.

planting workshop 2

Medieval Week in Kilkenny, St. Mary’s Church Conservation

There was a large gathering to review progress on the conservation work being undertaken at St Mary’s Church Graveyard. The Open Day  was organised to give an opportunity to meet with the stonemasons, conservation specialists and archaeologists working on the project.

There will be a seminar on the overall conservation and restoration project at St Mary’s on the 13th April.  For further information  click here for link.

 

  Presentation on stone work by Paul Tallis Building Contractor

Presentation on stone work by Paul Tallis Building Contractor

Some of the Large attendance at the event.

Some of the Large attendance at the event.

City poster. This shows  historic stone work  within St Mary's.

City poster.  This shows historic stone work within St Mary’s.

One of our City Welcome  Ambassadors  assisting with access to a historic crypt.

One of our City Welcome Ambassadors assisting with access to a historic crypt.