Geological Survey Ireland announces funding awards for community 'Geoheritage' projects
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Geological Survey Ireland announces funding awards for community 'Geoheritage' projects

Geological Survey Ireland has awarded 'Geoheritage' grants to seven community-based projects around the country. The aim of the fund is to tell the story of Irish geology, and how it influences and relates to our culture and heritage. The aim is also to improve the understanding of geoscience, and to support local groups throughout the country.

The funds, valued at up to €10,000 each, are available under the Geoheritage Grant Scheme run by the Geoheritage Programme in Geological Survey Ireland. They support the development and publication of educational and outreach materials by local groups, established geotourism sites, aspiring geoparks and UNESCO Global Geoparks.

What 'Geoheritage' is

Geology is part of the heritage of Ireland; it is celebrated as part of who we are.

Our tourism industry is influenced by the landscape and the underlying rocks. Geological and geographical features give rise to our agriculture, food, and often our place names and traditions. Due to the broad diversity of geology in Ireland, and the relative recentness of the shaping of the landscape, every townland has the potential for an interesting geoheritage story. The fund has been available to all community and local groups since 2019 in order to promote geodiversity, geoheritage and geoscience education through wider community engagement.

The successful applications in 2024 continue to demonstrate the diversity of Irish geology and geoheritage and its value to local initiatives and communities. Several of the projects highlight community engagement.

For example, Carraig Nua Science will develop a free app to connect visitors to the Wild Atlantic way to the geological heritage of Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim.

A project by Siga Hydro Ltd, supporting community projects and commemorating the significant role that mining played in our history, will publish an edited volume of scientific papers related to the Silvermines mining district and the old Magcobar mine site.

Sonairte Ecology Centre and Gardens will add geological heritage and geology to the understanding of the biodiversity in their public walks and trails.

Hotwell House will support, promote and protect the cultural, historic and scientific heritage of a hot-spring county geological heritage site, known as St. Gorman’s Well, located on their land. Gareth L Jones will publish a unique guide to hill walking in Ireland and further afield which has a strong connection to and description of the geology and geological heritage of each walk’s environment.

The UNESCO Global Geoparks continue to celebrate their local geology and, this year, the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geoparks continues to build on a new generation of geoheritage focused trails to be available both virtual and on the ground. The Joyce Country and Western Lakes (JCWL) aspiring geopark aims to develop a walk showcasing geological features by selecting boulders representing the main lithologies (rock characteristics) from the geopark region and placing them along the existing trail to the waterfall in Tourmakeady Woods.

Koen Verbruggen, Director of Geological Survey Ireland, welcomed the announcement – saying:

"The Geological Survey has been working throughout the country since 1845 and this is one way to give back to communities, to foster good relationships, and to encourage people to work with us – to use the data, maps and expertise to develop local tourism and educational resources. The projects this year show the breadth of ways geology and geoheritage can be used for tourism, education and local pride – building on the work undertaken by local community projects who received similar funding in previous years since 2020. I am delighted the Geoheritage Grant Scheme had attracted so many applications this year and I look forward to the results of the community collaborations."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Geological Survey Ireland

Geological Survey Ireland is the National Earth Science agency. It is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and for the acquisition of data for this purpose. Geological Survey Ireland produces a range of products including maps, reports and databases and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology. It is a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Geological Survey Ireland provides a Duty Geologist service to the public to address geological queries and concerns. For more information, please visit the Geological Survey Ireland website.

Geoheritage Programme

The Geoheritage Programme in Geological Survey Ireland has responsibility for the protection and promotion of sites of geological importance. It identifies sites as County Geological Sites for inclusion in County Development and Heritage Plans. County Audits are carried out in partnership with the Heritage Council and local authorities and the most significant County Geological Sites are recommended to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for potential future designation as Natural Heritage Areas. It works with local authorities and community groups on the development of Geotourism products and in particular on the establishment and support of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

More information about the Geological Survey Ireland Geoheritage Programme and projects.

Full list of grant recipients

Carraig Nua Geoscience County Sligo
This project will deliver a geospatial app to enhance Wild Atlantic Way visitors’ engagement with the route’s geology and geoheritage in counties Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo. The app will guide geotourists to 60 new site-specific online experiences developed to educate them on the geology and geoheritage they can see and engage with.
Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark County Waterford
This project will create a new stylised printable visitor map of the Copper Coast Geopark, blending geology with human and natural heritage. It will also create an online story map version of the printable map using the created map imagery and iconography. The digital version of the map will serve a double purpose as an educational aid for visitors and local school children. It will be an easy place-based introduction to geological and mining heritage. It will also be possible to display the digital version of the map as an in-situ educational activity in the Copper Coast Visitor centre in a digital format, for example on a tablet.
Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring geopark County Mayo and County Galway
The proposed project will develop a geodiversity walk in Tourmakeady Woods, County Mayo – a Coillte-owned woodland focussing on recreation and boasting a national trail. The walk aims to showcase geological features by sustainably selecting 10-12 boulders representing the main lithologies from the geopark region and placing them along the existing trail to the waterfall in Tourmakeady Woods. As well as information panels at the start and end of the trail, each boulder will have its own information panel describing where to find the rock in the geopark region, specific features of the rock and the process behind its formation.
Gareth L Jones Nationwide
Classic Mountain Days – 300-page hardback, pictorial mountain memoir illustrating over 60 years of highland exploration and adventure. These walks recognise the geoheritage of the geological structure of the hills and the glacial activity, karst development and landscape changes that can be identified. Each of the over 50 treks has a map and an introduction to the geological and topographic features that are present. This book sets wonderful Irish walks and climbs in an international context.
Siga-Hydro Ltd County Tipperary
In supporting community projects and commemorating the significant role that mining played in the history of not just Silvermines, but indeed Ireland, SIGA Hydro plans to publish an edited volume of papers related to the Silvermines mining district and the old Magcobar mine site. This volume will include articles from local community historians, from heritage researchers, and Irish geologists who have worked on Silvermines related projects over the years. The work will be completed in partnership with the Silvermines Historical Society with all proceeds after costs going to this not-for-profit group to support mining heritage at Silvermines.
Sonairte Ecology Centre and Gardens County Meath
With this project the aim is to incorporate informational signage at the entrance of Sonairte, and along the forest trail to educate visitors about the geological importance of the site. These signs will highlight the geological significance of the River Nanny and surrounding areas. The area boasts a variety of biodiversity. The tidal River Nanny, which runs alongside the forest walk, and has its own salt marsh and mudflats which are a special protection area that is home to a wide array of wildlife.
Hotwell House – St Gorman's Well County Meath
The aim is to create signage and information leaflets for St. Gorman's warm spring near Enfield, County Meath. This site has been studied extensively by scientists, from George Victor Du Noyer in the 1800s to the present. The warm spring is also a holy well with a unique cultural as well as geological heritage. It is well known locally and also receives curious visitors from around the world. The site will benefit from signage to provide information to local people and the wider public, explaining the importance of our geological heritage, what is known about the spring, and what contributes to the upwelling of artesian warm water.

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