What a difference a year makes......things have changed hugely in Ireland since summer 2007. The last few months have seen Ireland's much heralded economy dubbed the 'Celtic Tiger' shuddering to an abrupt halt; unemployment in Ireland is now at its highest level in 5 years, economic growth has dropped from 5% in 2007, to a projected 1.1% this year. In the first three months of 2008 the Government recorded a deficit of just over 354m euros. This compares with a surplus of 1.8 billion euros in the first three months of last year.

The cause....a collapse of the Irish housing market. According to the International Monetary Fund, Ireland's housing market is overvalued by 30%. Residential investment accounts for 12 percent of the Irish economy, compared with 5 percent in Britain and 4 percent in the United States. This level of investment has led to the now evident oversupply on the Irish market. The glut of housing has brought new construction to a standstill, driving up unemployment and dimming the prospects for what has been on of Europe’s stellar performers over the last decade. Last month, only 4,050 houses were completed in Ireland, a 43% fall on the same period last year. So all in all, changing times and challenging times ahead for Irish Architecture and never before has the theme of this year's asembly, 'Adaptation' been more relevant.

Marching uphill when the rest of the country seems to be dragging itself downwards with the bad news is hard work, but we have the momentum to attract a couple more positive minded people to join the trek! As Robert Lewis Stevenson said, 'Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant'. Looking forward to seeing you all in Ireland in August!

Remember, for all your posts, questions, and comments, the easa blog is at http://easa.antville.org

Thanks to all the hard working NC's nearly every country in the EASA network has managed to fill its quota leaving us in the very difficult position as regards allocation out extra places. We have, out of respect to previous and future EASA organisers reduced the Irish contingent to partially accommodate their requests. If circumstances change for some participants between now and the start of the assembly, rendering them unable to attend the event, we will endeavour to find replacements.