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).
Aran Island of Inis Oírr Finally Gets Resumption of 24-hour Water Supply
24th October 2021 Island News
Night-time water restrictions on the Aran island of Inis Oírr have finally been lifted after six months of rationed supplies. Irish Water said the restrictions from 11 pm to 7 am initiated last May have been eased as of this…
Coastal Atlas of Ireland Shortlisted in An Post Book Awards Category
22nd October 2021 Coastal Notes
The Coastal Atlas of Ireland is one of seven titles nominated for An Post’s Best Irish Published Book of the Year. The atlas published by Cork University Press involves the work of over 140 contributors ranging in expertise from archaeology…
Rescue 116: Eamon Ryan to Cover "Reasonable" Review Board Legal Expenses Incurred by Families of Air Crew
21st October 2021 Coastguard
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has said his department will cover “reasonable legal expenses” incurred by the families of the four Rescue 116 air crew who died off North Mayo in relation to a review of the draft final Air…
Environmental Coalitions Call on Government to Give "Necessary" Dáil Time to Maritime Area Planning Bill
21st October 2021 Environment
Two Irish environmental coalitions are calling on the Government to ensure the necessary Dáil Committee time is given to debating the new Maritime Area Planning Bill. The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and the Environmental Pillar say that Ireland is “marching…
EU-Funded Study of Wild Atlantic Way Recommends Developing "Niche Marine Tourism" Options
21st October 2021 Aquatic Tourism
A new study of the Wild Atlantic Way recommends development of “niche marine tourism” options along the coastal route. Visitors taking part in marine-related activities tend to spend more and stay longer than average, and so regional authorities and tourism…
Maynooth University Study Finds Long Hours, Low Wages & Racist Insults Commonplace Experience of Migrant Fishers
19th October 2021 Fishing
“Extremely long” working hours, very low wages, and racist insults and verbal abuse were commonplace experiences of a group of migrant fishermen interviewed for a Maynooth University research study. Over two-thirds of those interviewed said they would work between 15…
The Galway gleoiteog named Loveen tacked across the Claddagh basin this weekend, some 96 years after it was built by the Reaney family of Spanish Arch. The gleoiteog has been restored, plank by plank, by the Galway Hooker Sailing Association…
Restored 96-Year-Old Gleoiteog Loveen to be Blessed at Claddagh Basin, Galway Today
16th October 2021 Historic Boats
Where else in the world would you hear yourself being addressed as Loveen but in Galway - and that's the name of a 96-year-old gleoiteog which is being blessed today (Oct 16) in the Claddagh Basin. The historic vessel which…
What weighs almost five kilos and ranges in subjects from archaeology to zoology, with Atlantic tsunamis, Viking raids and the Irish coast’s role in cinema in between? The first Coastal Atlas of Ireland is ambitious and multidisciplinary. Between its 893…
Ros-a-Mhíl Could Be "Strategic Hub" for Floating Offshore Wind with Potential for 900 jobs - New Report
14th October 2021 Power From the Sea
The south Connemara harbour of Ros an Mhíl could become a strategic hub for the floating offshore wind sector with potential for 900 jobs, according to a new report. The report, commissioned by Údarás na Gaeltachta and presented to Minister…
Brown Crab Behaviour Negatively Affected by Offshore Wind Farm Underwater Cables
13th October 2021 Power From the Sea
Brown crabs are “mesmerised” by electromagnetism from underwater power cables laid around Scotland for offshore wind farms, a newly published study has found. The edible crab Cancer pagurus displayed a clear attraction to the underwater cables, the study published in…
EU Commissioner for Fisheries Says He Cannot Promise Fundamental Review of Common Fisheries Policy
2nd October 2021 Fishing
EU Commissioner for Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius has said he is taking a “cautious” approach to reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). In an interview with RTÉ Radio 1 Countrywide during his two-day visit to Ireland early last week, the commissioner…
Delay in Introducing Night Vision Goggles Bought for Irish Coast Guard Helicopters Criticised by C&AG
2nd October 2021 Coastguard
A delay in using night vision goggles purchased by the State for Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter crews has been criticised in the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (C&AG) annual report. Although over 4.3 million euro was paid by…
A cascade of lava spilling into the Atlantic ocean from the Spanish island of La Palma has been photographed by the European Space Agency (ESA). The lava from the volcanic eruption extends the size of the coastline and covered about…
An Aran islands energy co-operative has won an international award for its work on renewable fuels. The Aran energy co-op has secured the National Association of Municipalities of the Minor Islands (ANCIM) prize for having the “best energy system that…
Families of Whiddy Island Betelgeuse Victims Seek State Apology in New RTE Doc on One
2nd October 2021 Coastal Notes
Relatives of the 50 people who died in the Whiddy island Betelegeuse tanker explosion 42 years ago are seeking an apology from the Government for “appalling failures “ The call has been made in a new RTE Documentary on One…
Ireland Signs up to New Marine Protected Area in the North-East Atlantic
1st October 2021 Marine Wildlife
Ireland has joined an international agreement to establish a marine protected area (MPA) in the North Atlantic Current and Evlanov sea basin. The area is located in the high seas, to the west of the Ospar maritime area in the…
The America's Cup: A Great Opportunity for Ireland, Says Cup Expert Marcus Hutchinson
1st October 2021 Wavelength Podcast
Ireland is in a far strong negotiating position over the America's Cup than it may realise, and should set clear conditions if it is going to host the event, according to international sail racing project manager Marcus Hutchinson. It is…
Using sponge slime to fight cancer and copying barnacle glue for surgery are among projects highlighted at a new exhibition focusing on the contribution of the marine environment to medical research. The exhibition at Galway Atlantaquaria in Salthill, Galway, is…
TDs & Senators Invited to View New Documentary on Impact of Brexit on Fishing Industry
29th September 2021 Fishing
A documentary on the crisis facing Irish coastal communities in the wake of Brexit is due to be released today. (View video below) Oireachtas members are invited to view the 26-minute film at a screening in Dublin when it will…
