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).
Ireland’s Met Éireann director Eoin Moran has been elected chairman of Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, EUMETSAT. The 30-member-state EUMETSAT council made the decision to appoint him to the post for two years at its 101st meeting late this week. The…
The world’s deepest shipwreck on record has been found by a team of explorers in the Philippine Sea. The hull of the USS Samuel B Roberts, or Sammy B as it was known, was located at 22,916 feet (6984.7 metres)…
The Codling Wind Park has submitted its application for a maritime area consent (MAC) as part of the Government’s streamlined procedure for marine planning. The renewable energy project on the Codling Bank in the Irish Sea is about 13 km…
Transatlantic Oarsman Fergus Farrell Taken to Hospital - Damian Browne Continues
1st July 2022 Coastal Rowing
Galway adventurer Damian Browne’s transatlantic rowing partner Fergus Farrell has been referred for tests to a New York hospital after he was forced to leave their vessel, Cushlamachree, after almost 13 days at sea. The pair had set off from…
Long Lost Log: Diary of a Virgin Sailor, Podcast with Michael Chapman Pincher
30th June 2022 Wavelength Podcast
When 23-year-old Michael Chapman Pincher enlisted as crew for an Atlantic voyage back in 1974, he had never sailed so much as a dinghy. Nor did he realise that the skipper of Gay Gander and his sailing companion were actually…
Half of British Fishing Waters Could Be "Lost Due to Poor Marine Planning", Report Claims
30th June 2022 Fishing
A new report for two British fishing industry organisations says that over a third of English and Welsh fishing waters and more than half of Scottish waters could be inaccessible to trawling by 2050 due to plans for offshore energy…
The “Longest Day Swim” on Galway’s river Corrib takes place this Saturday after a two–year break due to Covid-19. North American Olympic gold medallist Joseph “Gunnar” Bentz has been invited to lead the event on July 2nd. Bentz won two…
Ireland's Contribution of Almost €10m to Address Developing Countries' Ocean Challenges Welcomed
29th June 2022 Marine Wildlife
The Fair Seas campaign has welcomed Ireland’s contribution of almost 10 million euro to address ocean challenges faced by developing countries, including small island developing states. The funding was confirmed earlier this week by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney…
2022 Caitriona Lucas Challenge - Bernard Lucas and Colleagues set off for Mount Kilimanjaro
26th June 2022 Coastguard
Clare Coast Guard volunteer Bernard Lucas left Ireland at the weekend for Tanzania on the 2022 Caitriona Lucas Challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Dedicated to the memory of his late wife, Caitriona – the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to…
Kerry’s Skellig Michael may re-open to visitors on July 2nd, after a minor rockfall forced a temporary closure of the UNESCO world heritage site. The Office of Public Works (OPW) told RTÉ News that specialist teams assessed the site and…
EU Proposal for Legally Binding Nature Restoration Targets on Sea and Land Welcomed by NGOs
24th June 2022 Marine Planning
The European Commission is proposing to set legally binding nature restoration targets on both sea and land. The Nature Restoration Law will apply to every EU member state and will complement existing laws and targets. The proposal has been welcomed…
Skellig Michael - Conservation Organisation Questions Impact of Safety Measures Being Taken to Re-Open Skellig Michael
24th June 2022 Island News
Birdwatch Ireland has expressed concern about the potential impacts of safety measures being taken on Skellig Michael, following last week’s rockfall which led to the temporary closure of the UNESCO world heritage site. The independent bird conservation organisation said it…
Sensor to Prevent Bridge Collapse Developed by Queen's University Researcher in Belfast
22nd June 2022 Marine Science
A new sensor to detect erosion of riverbeds and banks which can cause bridge collapse has been developed by a Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) researcher. The erosion, known as “scour”, is regarded as the leading cause worldwide of major structural…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has issued a warning to the public not to gather shellfish for personal consumption in the Castlemaine harbour area of Co Kerry, due to the presence of two marine toxin groups. The toxin groups, Paralytic…
Coveney Says a "Small Piece" of Ireland's EEZ May be Affected by French Military Exercises
20th June 2022 Fishing
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has said his department is in “ongoing contact with the French authorities” regarding a military exercise planned for this week. However, Mr Coveney described the area affected as “off the French coast”. He said…
Plans for live-fire exercises by the French military off the southwest coast have been criticised by the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation which says it may stage a peaceful protest. A marine notice issued by the Department of…
Irish Marine Research Ship Tom Crean is On Time, On Budget And Due For Delivery This Autumn
20th June 2022 Wavelength Podcast
It is “on time and on budget”. That’s the Marine Institute’s new 25 million euro research ship, RV Tom Crean, due for delivery this autumn. Named after the Kerry polar explorer who worked with both Ernest Shackleton and Sir Robert Scott,…
World Trade Organisation Steps to Limit Industrial Fishing Support Welcomed by NGO
19th June 2022 Fishing
The European Commission has been urged to follow the example of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in taking steps to protect EU waters from industrial fishing. The call has been made by Paris-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Bloom, following a multilateral…
Weather Forces Second Postponement of Féile an Spidéil Galway Hooker Regatta
19th June 2022 Galway Hookers
Weather has once again forced the postponement of Féile an Spidéil, the regatta for traditional craft in Co Galway. The regatta, which was originally set for June 12th off An Spidéil on the northern shores of Galway Bay, had been…
Galway adventurer and former professional rugby player Damian Browne and his friend and fellow rugby player Fergus Farrell have set off from New York on their unsupported row across the Atlantic. The pair are attempting to set a new Guinness…
