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).
Damian Foxall Welcomes Ireland's America's Cup Bid But Advises Pursuit With "Eyes Wide Open"
28th July 2021 America's Cup
Round the world sailor Damian Foxall has expressed support for Ireland’s attempt to host the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race in Cork harbour. The Kerry-born professional sailor who has competed in six Volvo ocean races and won one, says any…
Ireland Working on America's Cup Bid Since January Says Minister Simon Coveney
27th July 2021 America's Cup
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has confirmed that a team has been working on Ireland’s bid for the America’s Cup since January of this year. The world’s biggest and oldest sailing event is ranked third only to the Olympics…
Government Ministers Make Final Marine Protected Areas Public Consultation Appeal
26th July 2021 Coastal Notes
Two Government ministers have called on people to give their views on the expansion of Ireland’s marine protected areas (MPAs) before the deadline at the end of this week. Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien and Minister…
Always Think Water Safety Says Dublin Port Harbourmaster, Capt Michael McKenna
23rd July 2021 Wavelength Podcast
“Get your bearings — always think water safety”. That’s what Dublin Port harbourmaster Capt Michael McKenna is urging sailors, anglers, kayakers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, paddleboarders, swimmers and jetski users to remember on the lower reaches of the Liffey and out into Dublin…
One of Ireland’s longest one-day sea swimming events will extend over a month this year, as the annual Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim goes “virtual” again. The event in aid of Cancer Care West, which is now in its…
Ten Days to Close of Marine Protected Areas Consultation - An Taisce Clean Coasts Hosts Workshop
20th July 2021 Environment
With just ten days to go in the public consultation on marine protected areas, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme is reminding people to “have their say”. Ireland currently protects just over two per cent of territorial waters, and the Government…
Space Agencies Collaborate to Monitor Rising Sea Levels & Temperatures
15th July 2021 Marine Science
Space agencies in Europe and the US have signed a partnership to monitor rising sea levels and temperatures, melting ice, thawing permafrost and other impacts of climate breakdown. NASA in the US and the European Space Agency (ESA) formalised the…
A flotilla is steaming up the river Liffey today in the next stage of a marine wildlife campaign to secure legal protection for basking sharks in these waters. Over 7,000 people have already voiced support for the Save Our Sharks…
A Galway hooker restored with the support of a city publican has joined the local traditional fleet on Galway bay. Réalt na Gaillimhe or Star of Galway was built in Indreabhán, south Connemara, by the Cloherty boat builders in 1910.…
Cars parked at coastal and other outdoor locations are at most risk of being broken into on weekend afternoons during summer months, the Garda Siochána says. Catalytic converters, cash, electronics, jewellery and tools were the items most targeted, and the…
Plenty of Marine Life to See from Galway's Aran Island Ferry to Inis Mór - Skipper Shane McCole on Podcast
8th July 2021 Wavelength Podcast
Porpoises, dolphins, fin whales, puffins and guillemots near the Cliffs of Moher...master of the new Aran island ferry Shane McCole promises much marine life on the new direct run between Galway city and Inis Mór. The 40-metre vessel Saoirse na…
Marine biologists have long wondered why some species like the white shark and bluefin tuna are warm-blooded when most fish are not. Now newly published research led by a Trinity College Dublin (TCD) scientist has concluded that the ability to…
Subterranean Estuaries Help Filter Out Pollutants, New Study Involving Trinity College Dublin Finds
24th June 2021 Marine Science
“Subterranean estuaries” may be critical in managing sustainable fishing and aquaculture, according to new research. Subterranean estuaries may be invisible to the naked eye, but may be very important in the ecology of coastal systems, the research by Trinity College…
“Like a real live James Bond movie.. another absolutely insane adventure” is how the ocean and cold water swimmer Nuala Moore describes it. She’s talking about the relay which she and Donegal swimmer Anne Marie Ward participated in to swim…
Steaming up the river Liffey before sunrise, a fleet of 55 Irish fishing vessels staged a national protest in Dublin over the impact of several key issues including Brexit. The second large-scale protest called on the government to seek a…
Irish offshore solo sailor Yannick Lemonnier has pledged to continue his Mini Transatlantic Race campaign after his recent yacht dismasting in the English Channel. Speaking to Afloat, Lemonnier said he had received such a warm and supportive response from sailors…
Several Galway hookers will join a fleet of finely tuned sailing dinghies on Lough Corrib for Europe’s longest and oldest inland yacht race this weekend. The Anam Cara and Lon Dubh gleoiteogs which have been restored by the Galway Hooker…
Government Concern Over Low Levels of Feedback from Fishing & Fish Farming on Marine Protected Area Consultation
23rd June 2021 Marine Wildlife
Government officials seeking public views on an expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs) have expressed concern at the low level of feedback so far from the fishing and fish farming sectors. Officials at the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local…
Galway's 96-year old gleoiteog Loveen has marked a key stage in its restoration with the nailing of its "whiskey plank". At a "low key" ceremony, the final plank was secured and the occasion was marked with a "modest" round of…
Floating Nuclear Reactors & Reducing Shipping Carbon Emissions Theme of International Conference
21st June 2021 Power From the Sea
The role of the marine environment in the push towards “net zero” carbon emissions is the theme of an international marine engineering conference running online later this month. The challenges involved in using offshore wind energy and the feasibility of…
