Liss Ard Project Play List for 2010-2011

This is a playlist of raw videos from Liss Ard, without narration(pretty much) to give you a sense of what is up here.

These will be used as elements of planning for the projects in association with Helpx.net participants.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C11A1C90A2B343CC

Patrick

From Liss Ard

November 2010

New Videos of the Liss Ard Projects

Enjoy this footage which shows some of the aspects of the Liss Ard landscape art restoration project. We will update this in next five weeks to show the progress and other issues we discover.

Patrick

From Liss Ard November 2010

Click Here for the 'Crater' overview on a brisk Irish Morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2prnLZ3VSQ

Making progress on crown

Decided, after consultations with mgr, Arthur, that downslope trees may figure in longer term focus for sustainable landscaping. We'll see in November when colors set in.

In meantime, focused on 1.5 m strip at top of crown of crater, clearing brush to shin high, 1.5 m in. This will extend the crown at least that much, and more importantly, build valuable bird and insect habitat on crown of crater.

Have cleared approx. 40% of the crown, with anticipated full clearance by 22 October 2010.

Patrick

On site at Liss Ard

8 October 2010

OK Back to Square Two....

Went up this morning early, beauty of a day too. Discovered that about 2 meters downslope is a barbed wire(cattle style) fencing all along perimeter of crown of crater. Hmmm. Maybe waaaaaaaay back when, that was a good thing, but NOW it's buried in side the thatch. Will need to run the clearing path from below, making this an interesting restoral phase.

Can still clear the top 1.5 meters all the way around, for a good sustainable recovery of the biomass, AND also contribute intentionally to the bird habitat(guess the bugs would like it too, huh)?

More in a few days, after more progress is made on clearing the 1.5 meter crown ring.

Patrick

Onsite a Liss Ard, Cork, Irland

7 October 2010

The Trimming Has begun

For the last few days, with the capable assistance of Pat(long time gardener at Liss Ard) the beginning of the 'cleanup' of the crown, has begun. There are a few important issues which are arising:

A. The First Meter of the crown, into the brush, is level, and has moderate to dense growth.

B. The 2nd to 4th meter off the crown, slopes down at an angle of approx. 60 degrees.

C. The tall branches visible from the ground(where the stone to lay on are in center of crater) are of the tree growth in the 2 - 4 meter range.

D. Did approx. 20 meters of linear 'frontage' of trimming and discovered that there is a method which may lend it self to consistent maintenance.

1. Trim the first 1.5 m off the crown, to the lowest point possible.

Leave some stumps for anchors for safety ropes.

2. Cut an access tunnel in four areas(points of compass come to mind, or the long and short transverse points on the crater), about 3 m down slope. Cut trails along the slope, as the pruning takes place, for future Help X maintenance folks to follow.

3. Deposit ALL biomass on the top layer of the off crown strip, as bird habitat.

4. Circle the crown, about 2.5 to 4 m downslope, and cut the trees and bushes on a 2 m pole (measured) basis.

This approach, we feel, will provide for a consistent method of economically, and with good ecological practices, maintain a sustainable art expression, as viewed from the base of the crater.

Photos to follow on progress.

Patrick

Help X onsite at Liss Ard, Cork Irland.

6 Oct 2010

Survey completed

I went to the site, and walked the entire lower spaces. Upper spaces later this week, after some work is done lower area. Basics of the work:

1. Front entrance is overgrown. Needs to be trimmed back, and cleaned.

2. Steps in back entry to center, need to be cleaned and primed.

3. Rear accessway is mildly overgrown.

4. Stones need clearing around base area.

5. Panels(plex) need to be cleaned

6. Gravel needs to be sifted and laid anew.

7. Steps need to be brushed

8. Walls around steps need to be cleaned and painted anew.

More later with update photos.

Patrick

2 October 2010 noon

Beginning the process

Hello and good day to you.

This is Patrick D.(that's me in picture on side) in Skibbereen, Cork, Irland, at this location, and we are embarking on an adventure to restore a living art and architectural beauty, by James Turrell, click here for more on his work, on the grounds of the Liss Ard Resort not far from Skibbereen, Cork.

The first two are of the crater entrance and an above photo, when it was pristine(not the case now, let me assure you.)

For the next few weeks, and perhaps longer, we will endeavor to bring this natural wonder back to it's form, and compose a plan to bring it's beauty in focus.

I have some experience in ornamental landscaping, and am working this situation, through a connection made with Helpx.net www.helpx.net.

Now for the adventure.

Patrick

2 October 2010