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Irish rivers are still heavily polluted
Nearly one-in-three
of Ireland’s rivers and groundwater sources are still polluted with
human, animal, farming and industrial waste according to the latest assessment
by the Environmental Protection Agency.
In its Water Indicator Report the agency says the pollution of groundwater
supplies has worsened in many areas over the past 12 months reversing
the trends reported in recent years.
The worst area of groundwater contamination is around Galway where much
of the water drains into Lough Corrib the source of the city’s
ongoing water crisis.
Music Honoured
Three of the traditional music world’s most prominent activists
will be awarded honorary doctorates at two universities in Ireland this
month.
Founder chairman of the Irish Traditional Music Archive Tom Munnelly and
its current director Nicholas Carolan will be afforded the awards at the
National University of Ireland in Galway, while current chairman Cathal
Goan will be awarded the honorary degree at the University of Ulster in
Coleraine.
The conferrals reflect the much increased profile and standing of traditional
arts in national life today and reinforce the centrality of the Irish
Traditional Music Archive in the contemporary world of traditional arts.
Dublin IKEA
An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead for the construction of
a massive IKEA outlet in the Ballymun area of Dublin subject to 30 conditions
aimed at preventing traffic congestion, protecting the visual amenity
of the area and promoting sustainable development.
Legal restrictions on the size of retail developments had already been
changed to allow the Swedish furniture giant to build a 30,000 sq ft shop
in the area.
But several objections were received from the National Roads Authority,
Green Party TD Eamon Ryan and a number of businesses which said they would
be adversely affected by a huge increase in traffic on the M50 motorway.
Hammersmith Gig
Irish trad act Mise and Jack L the Co. Kildare singer with the phenomenal
voice are coming to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith, London for
one night on June 23.
Since they were runners-up in the BBC Young Trad Musician Award four years
ago Mise have exploded from being an exciting five-piece band to a sizzling
seven-piece and their musical accolades have known no bounds with critics
hailing Jack L as one of the greatest male singers of the 20th century.
Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are £10/£8. For bookings
and information contact 020 8563 8232 or log on to www.lbhf.gov.uk/irishcentre
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