Geo-Explorer Day - Saturday October 15th 2011

Emerging from a cloudy morning, the Burren Geo-Explorer Day turned out to be a great day, with the sunshine breaking through shortly after 10.00am.

Gathering at the Burren Outdoor Education Centre, at 9.30am, the group enjoyed some tea and friendly banter before breaking off into two groups.

Guided by Colin Bunce (Burren Outdoor Education Centre) and Elaine Lynch (Archaeologist), one group took to the slopes of Turlough Hill to explore the wonderful geology, archaeology and history of this magnificent hill and the surrounding landscape.

The other group made for Parkmore Quay, embarking on a kayaking expedition out through the mouth of Bell Harbour into Ballyvaughan Bay. Led by Joanna McInerney (Burren Outdoor Education Centre) and Ronán Hennessy (Geopark Geologist), the paddlers observed the coastal morraine cliffs on Scanlon's Island, and the limestone slopes of the Burren's north-facing hills. Alighting at Ballyvaughan pier, a warm flask of coffee, and Joanna's friendly dog, awaited the band of well exercised paddlers.

In the afternoon, Colin Bunce led another group of new caving adventurers underground near Gregan's Wood

The caving excursion was run in association with (and subsidised by) the Speleological Union of Ireland

See: www.caving.ie

The first Geo-Explorer Day was a great success, and we look forward to running similar events in 2012.

Thanks to Colin Bunce, Joanna McInerney and Elaine Lynch for all their expertise.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

(The afternoon Family Beach Exploration on Bishop’s Quarter Beach was unfortunately cancelled.)

Karst limestone pavement on the southern slopes of Turlough Hill

Irish Geological Association Field Excursion - The Burren

October 1st and 2nd 2011

It was a honour to host the Irish Geological Association (IGA) autumn field trip as the first official event of the newly designated Burren & Cliffs of MOher Global Geopark.

With almost 25 IGA members joining the field trip, this was a great 'geo-social' event.

Saturday - October 1st

Commencing at 10.00am at the Flaggy Shore (Geosite), the group proceeded to the outdoor education centre where Dr. Ronán Hennessy gave a short presentation on the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark. This was followed by a talk by Colin Bunce, who introduced a newly discovered cave in the Burren.

The group then proceeded to Cassidy's Pub in Carron for a hearty lunch, to see the great turlough in the floor of the Carron Depression (geosite), and to discuss the surrounding landscape.

The final stop of the day was in Burren National Park (geosite), where the group trekked to the foot of Mullaghmore, observing fossils, limestone pavement, cherts, and the magnificent mushroom stone.

Sunday - October 2nd

Reconvening in the clouds at the Cliffs of Moher (geosite) on Sunday morning, the group observed the geology underfoot and up close - as the cliffs and surrounding landscape was obscured by clouds!

At mid-day, the group made for Doolin Pier (geosite), where the low tide allowed the biokarst to be observed, along with blow-holes, coastal erosion, palaeokarst, and sloping strata on Crab Island. All the while, Dusty the Dolphin swam about under the pier.

For more information about the Irish Geololgical Assoication see: www.geology.ie

The Flaggy Shore

Burren Geopark & Burrenbeo Talk

Talk: Landscapes of Stone in the East Burren (Postponed to a later date)
Presenter: Dr. Ronán Hennessy, Geopark Geologist
Venue: Tubber Village Hall
Date: 19th October, 2011 at 8.30pm

Organised by the Burrenbeo Trust in association with the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark, this specific talk was postponed to a later date.

Thanks to Colin Bunce (Burren Outdoor Education Centre and Spelogical Union of Ireland for stepping in at short notice to give a talk on the caves of the Burren.

For more information please email trust@burrenbeo.com.