Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004) on Irish helicopter search and rescue; and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010).
Mayo Islanders Say They Cannot Risk Mobile Phone Mast Repair Due to Health Concerns Over Covid-19
1st April 2020 Island News Islanders on Inishturk, Co Mayo, say they cannot risk essential repairs being carried out to a storm-damaged mobile phone transmitter for the west coast due to the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Inishturk development manager Mary Helena O’Toole said…
No tourists are permitted to travel between the Aran Islands and Galway during current Covid-19 restrictive measures, Island Ferries has said. The private company has also said one vessel will serve all three islands daily for “essential/emergency services only “…
Outdoor enthusiasts have been urged to “stay local” this weekend to limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Two mountaineering organisations have urged people to refrain from heading to the uplands this weekend and ensure their one daily walk is…
A major west coast retail fish supplier has pledged to sell only Irish-caught fish and shellfish during the current Covid-19 restrictions to support the Irish inshore fleet. Parisian-born Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers in Galway says that he is “out…
Minister & Fish Industry Organisations Condemn Protests Over French & Spanish Landings in South-West, Amid Concerns about Lack of Communication
25th March 2020 Fishing Seven Irish fishing organisations have condemned what they described as “blockades” in two south-west harbours, and said that such protests were “alarmist” and “unnecessary” writes Lorna Siggins The seven groups, including the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation, the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation, and Irish…
Shannon Tourism Masterplan Public Consultation to Continue Online Amid Covid-19 Restrictions
24th March 2020 Inland Waterways Waterways Ireland is continuing its public consultation on its Shannon tourism masterplan but has urged members of the public to respond online. The cross-border authority has published its draft masterplan and associated environmental report as part of an 18-month strategy…
"We are Islanders" - Ocean Literary Network Publishes List of Covid-19 Supports
23rd March 2020 Marine Science The Irish Ocean Literacy Network has published a list of useful supports for individuals and communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The network, which aims to achieve an ocean literate society across the island of Ireland, has appealed to communities to…
Seafest 2020 in Cork Harbour is Postponed Until 2021 Due to Covid-19
23rd March 2020 Maritime Festivals The Covid-19 virus has forced the cancellation of SeaFest, the national maritime festival which was due to take place in Cork in May. In a statement, the Marine Institute said that a decision was taken to postpone the event until…
Defence Force staff set up a tented field hospital beside the Naval patrol ship, LE William Butler Yeats, yesterday (sun) in preparation for use as a Covid-19 testing centre writes Lorna Siggins A marquee was erected beside the ship in…
Floating Wind Project for Celtic Sea Welcomed as "Remarkable" by Marine Renewables Industry Spokesman
22nd March 2020 Power From the Sea An Irish renewable energy company has partnered with French energy major Total to develop one of the world’s largest floating wind projects off the Welsh coast. Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) chairman Peter Coyle has described the Simply Blue Energy…
EU Increases Aid Rules to Respond to Dramatic Slump in Seafood Sector Due to Covid-19
21st March 2020 Fishing The European Commission says it is revising EU state aid rules to provide temporary relief for fishing fleets and fish farmers who have been hard hit by the economic consequences of Covid-19 writes Lorna Siggins A “dramatic downturn” in the demand…
Public demand for canned rather than fresh fish during the Covid-19 crisis and restrictions on Irish seafood exports are contributing to a looming storm in the fishing sector, an Irish industry leader has warned writes Lorna Siggins Fishing representatives are due…
The Naval Service patrol ship LÉ WB Yeats has berthed in Galway for potential use as a testing facility for the Covid-19 virus writes Lorna Siggins The ship is one of three Naval Service vessels requested for use by the Health…
British Aviation Expert Appointed to Rescue 116 Draft Final Report Review
15th March 2020 Coastguard A senior aviation expert with Britain’s Coastguard has been appointed to a review of aspects of the unpublished investigation into the Rescue 116 helicopter crash off the north Mayo coast three years ago, The Sunday Times reports. Philip Hanson, aviation…
Pilots' Union Says Review of Rescue 116 Final Report in Conflict With International Safety Standards
13th March 2020 News Update The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association has said the Government’s establishment of a review board into the Rescue 116 helicopter crash draft final report is in conflict with international safety standards writes Lorna Siggins The pilots’ union was responding to Wednesday’s announcement…
Rescue 116 Crash Draft Final Report: Ross Appoints Senior Counsel to Chair Review
12th March 2020 News Update Almost three years after four Irish Coast Guard aircrew lost their lives in a helicopter crash off the north Mayo coast, a senior counsel has been appointed to chair a review into aspects of the State investigator's final report writes Lorna…
Weather Forces Change of Venue from Ship to Shore for Sunrise Musical Performance as Part of Galway 2020
7th March 2020 Navy Near gale force and gusty south-west winds have forced a change of venue for a Galway 2020 International Women’s Day event on board the Naval Service patrol ship LÉ Niamh on Sunday morning. The patrol ship was to have hosted…
Uncertainty over the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 has influenced postponement of the annual Irish Skipper Expo and a charity evening in aid of the Lost at Sea Tragedies (LAST) next weekend, writes Lorna Siggins. Mara Media, which organises the Irish…
Waterways Ireland Urged to Remember Farmers & Floods as it Prepares Tourism Masterplan for Shannon
5th March 2020 Inland Waterways Waterways Ireland has been urged to work with farmers who are facing serious flooding on the Shannon, as the agency initiates a new tourism masterplan for the river. IFA Connacht chair Pat Murphy said that it would be a “win,…
Coastal litter caused by drinks containers has halved in one year, but macro and micro debris is still plentiful around the Irish coastline. As Afloat reported earlier, results from 541 survey areas recorded by a team of Coastwatch Ireland volunteers…
