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
Newly Elected MEP Pledges to Remain "Fully Engaged" on Fisheries Despite Failure to Secure Place on Fisheries Committee
26th July 2024 Fishing
Newly elected MEP Ciaran Mullooly has sought to reassure the Irish fishing industry that he will remain “fully engaged” on fisheries issues. The Independent Ireland MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency was responding further to concerns expressed by Irish Fish Producers’…
A "Disgrace" - Irish Fishing Industry Leader Criticises Lack of Irish Representation on New EU Parliament Fisheries Committee
25th July 2024 Fishing
Newly elected Irish MEPs have defended their decision not to prioritise representation on the European Parliament's fisheries committee, which will be handling key issues including the review of the Common Fisheries Policy and the post-Brexit share out of fish stocks…
Lifejacket Use is Having A Significant Impact - Water Safety Ireland Chief Executive Dr Joanne Walsh
23rd July 2024 Wavelength Podcast
Some positive news for watersport safety – recreational and commercial vessel activity accounted for just over one per cent of all drownings in Ireland in a five year period from 2017. That means the lifejacket legislation is working, as Water…
A total of 500 Natterjack toadlets have been released into the sand dunes at Inch peninsula in Dingle, Co Kerry by Minister for Nature and Heritage Malcolm Noonan. The release is part of a National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)…
Skellig Michael’s puffin population is “plentiful this season”, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has confirmed. Photographer Valerie O’Sullivan recently captured the birds on the rock, noting they were busy breeding and fattening their chicks on sand-eel and sprat.…
The designers of the redeveloped Dún Laoghaire Baths have won a major architectural award. The design team of dlr Architects and A2 Architects has been conferred with the AR public awards 2024. Run by The Architectural Review, the AR Public…
The owners of the RMS Titanic hope to gather some of the most detailed images of the shipwreck and debris field during this month’s research expedition. The Titanic Expedition 2024, led by RMS Titanic, Inc., set off on July 12th…
Ireland "Won't Have Spatial Squeeze", But There Will be Challenges With Offshore Renewables - Cartographer John Coleman
15th July 2024 Wavelength Podcast
Over the next decade, the Irish Sea coast will have wind farms extending from Dundalk Bay as far as Wexford with a “bit of a gap around the Kish bank lighthouse”, according to cartographer John Coleman of La Tene Maps.…
Wind Energy and Marine Environmental Group Criticise Delay in MPA Legislation
11th July 2024 Marine Planning
A renewable energy lobby group and marine environmental coalition have both issued an appeal to Government to take “immediate action” on promised marine protected areas (MPAs) legislation. In a joint statement, environmental coalition Fair Seas and industry group Wind Energy…
First of Six AW 189 Helicopters for New Irish Coast Guard Delivered to Bristow
8th July 2024 Coastguard
The first of six AW189 helicopters destined for search and rescue on the new Irish Coast Guard contract has flown off the Italian production line. Bristow Ireland says the new helicopter is now in its maintenance hangars, where “expert Bristow…
Failure To Wear Lifejackets When Launching Angling Boat Off Mayo Highlighted in MCIB Report
3rd July 2024 MCIB
Failure to wear lifejackets was one of five factors which contributed to an incident where a sea angler died off Lacken pier, Co Mayo, last year. The report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) notes that neither the boat…
Training in observing marine mammals in Irish waters is to be funded for a second year by ESB Ireland. Up to five places will be awarded on the Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme, which is run by the Irish…
Microplastics Pose Serious Risk to Both Marine LIfe and Humans, New Study Finds
30th June 2024 Marine Wildlife
Microplastics and nanoplastics are not only a risk to marine life, but may increase the risk of serious disease in humans, a new study has found. Non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic lung disease are linked to…
Fixed Wing Aircraft For New Irish Coast Guard Contract To be Provided by 2Excel Ireland
26th June 2024 Coastguard
A British aviation and aerospace company has created an Irish subsidiary to supply two King Air aircraft for the new Irish Coast Guard contract. 2Excel Aviation has formed 2Excel Ireland to provide fixed-wing Coast Guard Services for Bristow Ireland. This…
Cabinet Approves Plan to Extract Water from Shannon To Supply Dublin, East and Midlands
26th June 2024 Inland Waterways
The Cabinet has approved Uisce Éireann’s multi-billion euro plan to extract water from the river Shannon to supply Dublin, the east and midlands region. The project, which aroused some local environmental opposition when first flagged by Uisce Éireann some years…
Big Dream, Little Boat - Kayaker Kevin O'Sullivan's Paddle Around Ireland
20th June 2024 Wavelength Podcast
Big Dream, Little Boat is the brilliant title for Kevin O’Sullivan’s book, just published by Liffey Press, on his circumnavigation of Ireland solo by kayak. The retired Aer Lingus pilot, who has been very involved with the sea scouts in…
Seafood Industry Forum Criticises Key Aspects of Draft South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan
18th June 2024 Marine Planning
An Irish seafood industry grouping says the State has ignored key aspects of its own national marine planning framework in identifying potential sites for offshore renewable energy (ORE). The Seafood Industry Representative Forum (SIRF) says this is one of the…
Five Irish fishing producing and processing seafood organisations have united to “demand change at national and EU level”. “Our objective is to work together on raising awareness of critical challenges impacting the sector at both national and EU level,” the…
EPA Reports Shows No Improvement Overall in Water Quality for Rivers, Lakes and Estuaries
13th June 2024 Marine Wildlife
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there has been “no significant change in any of the water quality indicators for Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters”. Results for 2023 show “no sign of improvement overall”, it says. “While improvements are…
MCIB Report Into Grounding of Yacht 'Jelly Baby' in Cork Harbour Highlights Failure to Follow Man Overboard Procedures
12th June 2024 MCIB
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) says the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) should take action to ensure skippers and people in charge of its racing yacht fleet review their crew training obligations. The review should be conducted in the…
