Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
EPA Says Bathing Water Quality "High Overall" in 2023 But Five Beaches Recorded Poor Results
17th May 2024 Sea Swim
Bathing water quality around the Irish coast was high overall last year, with 97 per cent of monitored sites meeting or exceeding the minimum standard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says. The EPA says that some 114 bathing sites (77…
"No Shouting" - Joan Mulloy and Ann Kirwan On the Women At The Helm Regatta
16th May 2024 Wavelength Podcast
Irish international offshore sailor Joan Mulloy has recently completed a ten-day trip from Antigua to Portugal in a Mod 70 trimaran as part of the Famous project led by Dee Cafarri and Alexia Barrier, which aims to break the record…
Responsibility for Ireland’s marine planning system has been formally transferred to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). The transfer from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage follows recommendations made by the former Attorney General Paul…
Seafood Industry Collective Gives "Guarded Welcome" to Government's Future Framework on Offshore Renewable Energy
14th May 2024 Fishing
The Irish seafood industry says it is giving a “guarded welcome” to the Government’s recently published “Future Framework” policy statement for offshore renewable energy (ORE). The Seafood Industry Representatives Forum (SIRF), a collective of eight fishing and aquaculture representative organisations…
Fish, Chips, Seaweed and More Marine Topics at Pint of Science Festival
11th May 2024 Marine Science
Fish and chips and biodiversity, how seaweed can be a medicine, and Ireland’s underwater forests are among marine topics which will be discussed at the “Pint of Science” global science festival opening next week. The three-day event opens in 11…
RNLI Courtmacsherry Coxswain Mark Gannon on Astrid, Penlee, Fastnet and Free Wills Month
9th May 2024 Wavelength Podcast
RNLI coxswain Mark Gannon with West Cork’s Courtmacsherry lifeboat was on a call out in December 1981 when he and his crew heard over the radio about the Penlee lifeboat disaster - when an entire lifeboat crew was lost off…
Inis Oírr's Hazardous Pier and Water Rationing On Agenda for Meeting With Local Authority
8th May 2024 Island News
The dangerous situation of Inis Oírr pier is due to be discussed at a meeting between the island co-op and Galway County Council officials today (Wed). The local authority’s islands committee is travelling to Inis Oírr, weather permitting, for discussions.…
The Corncrake population has increased by 35 per cent in the past five years, particularly in breeding areas on the Atlantic seaboard. The numbers of Corncrakes recorded in the core breeding areas of Donegal, Mayo and Galway has increased by…
Four Areas Off South Coast Identified for Offshore Wind in State's Draft "DMAP"
4th May 2024 Marine Planning
Four areas off the south Irish coast have been earmarked for offshore wind development by the Government, subject to a six-week public consultation. The draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP), billed as Ireland’s first ever spatial plan for…
South Irish Coast "DMAP" A "Landmark in Spatial Planning" - Tánaiste Micheál Martin
2nd May 2024 Marine Planning
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said Friday’s publication of the designated maritime area plan (DMAP) for the south Irish coast represents “a landmark development in forward spatial planning”. “The South Coast DMAP will also initiate the State’s second offshore auction, which…
Tagged Cuckoo's Journey from Congo Basin to Kerry Includes Big Sea Journey
3rd May 2024 Marine Wildlife
The 9,000 km northward land and sea journey made by the Irish cuckoo from the Congo Basin to Kerry has been highlighted with the return of a tagged cuckoo to Irish shores. The bird’s migration in making “big sea crossings”…
The Raven Kaster, an educational “miniboat”, has been relaunched off Mayo’s Achill island from the Marine Institute’s Celtic Explorer. The mini boat has been upgraded with solar-powered GPS tracking and new technology since its last voyage and has been set…
Ryan Publishes "Future Framework" for ORE, and Draft DMAP for South Coast Due Friday
2nd May 2024 Power From the Sea
The Government has published its “Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy” (ORE), which includes 29 key actions to develop the State’s plan-led approach to offshore wind. A draft designated maritime area plan (DMAP) for the Irish south coast is due…
Oceans of Hope Challenge Hosts Second Introduction to Sailing Day with MS Ireland in Dun Laoghaire
28th April 2024 INSS
An introduction to sailing in Dun Laoghaire Harbour for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) earlier this month (April) was so successful that a second is planned for May 8th. As reported by Afloat, the initiative is run by MS Ireland…
European Fisheries Control Agency Says Introducing Its Own Offshore Patrol Ships and Airplane Marked "A Turning Point"
27th April 2024 Fishing
Deploying three offshore patrol vessels for the first time added “fundamental fisheries control capacity to the EU”, according to the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA). The EFCA says that the chartering of three seaborne inspection platforms—the Ocean Sentinel, the Ocean…
Bristow Ireland, the company taking over the new Irish Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) helicopter contract says, it has reached an agreement with trade union Unite to ensure the “smooth transition of special helicopter engineers” to the company. “It…
Government ministers have announced Ireland’s first marine national park involving some 70,000 acres of Kerry’s land and sea. The new park, Páírc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, is centred around Corca Dhuibhne in Co Kerry and includes the Conor Pass, the…
MCIB Says Corrib Rowing Training Which Went Wrong Posed "Threat of Death Or Serious Injury"
18th April 2024 MCIB
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has said that a training session which went wrong on the river Corrib and resulted in the loss of two competitive rowing craft “posed a threat of death or serious injury” to those involved.…
Puffins May Benefit From Closure of Industrial Sand Eel Fishery in North Sea and Scottish Waters
17th April 2024 Marine Wildlife
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) anticipates that puffins will benefit from the closure last month of the industrial fishery for sand eels in the North Sea and Scottish waters. The closure of the fishery from March…
Philip Bartlett has been appointed Bristow Ireland’s director of Irish search and rescue (SAR) helicopter and fixed-wing aviation. “Bartlett will be responsible for leading the Bristow Ireland team responsible for delivering life-saving missions across the country,” the company says. Bristow…
