Geological Survey Ireland announces funding for 6 community geoheritage projects

Geological Survey Ireland, a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, has awarded geoheritage grants to 6 community-based projects around 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. The aim of the fund is to encourage the telling of the Irish geological story, improve the understanding of geoscience, and to engage with local groups throughout the country.

Geology is part of the heritage of Ireland and is celebrated as part of who we are. Our tourism industry is influenced by the landscape and the underlying rocks, and the 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 2022 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 with the local geology and geoheritage:

• the Bioregional Weaving Lab Waterford digital project will develop a digital map that captures the essence of the heritage of the Copper Coast landscape in Waterford and its local communities
• a project from St John's Old Cemetery Restoration Group in Nobber, Co Meath, will showcase the north Meath geology in a traditional display and audiovisual format in the Nobber Heritage Centre
• Castlecomer Discovery Park will develop a geological map of the Castlecomer area, which will also be presented on physical paper trail guides that will bring the geological history of the area to life for both a local and wider visitor audience

The UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGps) continue to celebrate their local geology. This year:

• the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark propose to design and produce of a series of short animations that graphically tell the story of the geological history of the Geopark
• the Copper Coast UGGp aims to create a new generation of geoheritage-focused trails and trail cards for users to walk or cycle through quiet roads and off-road sections to discover sites of geological interest
• the Joyce Country and Western Lakes aspiring geopark aims to highlight the karst landscape of the geopark region in Counties Mayo and Galway by producing an animated video which will tell the story of the karst landscape development

Koen Verbruggen, Director, Geological Survey Ireland, welcomed the announcement and commented:

ENDS

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 center 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 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 (CGS) 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 (NPWS) for potential future designation as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). 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.

For more information about the Geological Survey Ireland Geoheritage Programme and projects visit: the Geological Survey Ireland website.

Full list of grant recipients