The second Irish Green Gathering will take place from Friday 8 August to Sunday 10 August 2008, again at Woodbrook House, Killanne, Co Wexford.
Last year's experience was a mixture of the positive and the negative. The most important thing on the positive side was the enthusiasm and support of so many who were there for the kind of event the gathering represented, a small, green, sustainable, low budget, not for profit festival with emphasis on the local, the original and the enjoyable. On the negative side the worst thing was the weather; it was simply dreadful. In 2008 we shall build on the positive aspect and pray for better weather.
IN 2008 THE FESTIVAL WILL........
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be as green as possible, with the eventual aim of achieving an entirely sustainable, near zero carbon, near zero waste event, which means, for example, having clear and effective policies about minimising and disposing of rubbish, less and greener energy use, encouragement of car sharing through the website and shuttle bus services to rail and bus stations
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provide an extensive and stimulating programme of talks and workshops on green issues, perhaps developing into open air debates, weather permitting
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again have a great selection of music, mostly young and local but with no loud music late at night, and a party night on the Saturday with lots of dancing and dressing up
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be devoted on the Sunday to farming and food, with talks and stalls of especial interest to the local farming community and displaying as wide a range as possible of local and quality food and how to prepare and cook it, looking forward to the major Terra Madre Ireland Slow Food event taking place in Waterford from 4 to 7 September
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have a greatly expanded healing area, including acoustic music and interesting acts on the wood stage, and exhibitions of installation and other art in the surrounding woodland
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be more comfortable, with a new camping area and better breakfast arrangements, a reading and leisure lounge with plenty of green reading matter, and a wider selection of places to eat, while maintaining last year's exceptionally high quality of food and drink
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remain as family friendly as possible, with a full programme of events for children including an afternoon children's disco, a sports space, and food and cooking demonstrations on the Sunday
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have a dedicated and enlarged craft area where local and rural skills and the use of re-cycled materials can be demonstrated and taught, including lime slaking and building with cob and hemp and the construction and use of a bread oven
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offer a selection of stands where the latest technologies in sustainable energy and sustainability generally can be on show
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include an interesting programme of green films
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increase ticket prices to eur 65 for a full weekend camping ticket and eur 25 for a day ticket in order to cover the costs of putting on the festival.
VOLUNTEERS -- We need more of them. Last year too few had to do too much. Anyone interested should get in touch with cathieclinton@gmail.com
