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
COVID-19’s impact on visits to offshore islands may be benefiting the gannet seabird colony on Wexford’s Great Saltee. A new University College Cork (UCC) study has recorded the level of disturbance to the birds caused by tourists in the summer…
A French-registered fishing vessel has been detained by the Naval Service patrol ship LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) off the south-west coast. The detention approximately 45 nautical miles south-west of Mizen Head was in relation to alleged breaches of fishing…
Wind Energy can Generate European Economic Recovery, Industry Report Says
18th October 2020 Power From the Sea
Each new wind turbine built in Europe generates €10 million worth of economic activity, according to a European industry network. A new report by WindEurope also says investing in wind energy will help Europe’s economic recovery from the impacts of…
Fixed Wing & Drones May be Part of New Air/Sea Search & Rescue Contract But no Apparent Role for Air Corps
18th October 2020 Coastguard
The Irish Coast Guard has asked the Government to include fixed-wing aircraft and use of drones in the new State contract for search and rescue. As The Sunday Times reports today, tender offers for the new air/sea service, which will…
Young West Cork Fisherman Who Died Last Year May Have "Fallen Overboard", MCIB Report States
16th October 2020 West Cork
An investigation into the death of the young west Cork fisherman Kodie Healy in Dunmanus Bay last year says he may have fallen overboard his boat. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report published today says Mr Healy had only…
Inshore Fishermen Warn Overturning of Ban on Larger Trawlers Inside Six Mile Limit is Worse Than a "No-Deal Brexit"
16th October 2020 Fishing
Irish inshore fishermen have said that a High Court ruling which overturns a Government ban on trawling by larger fishing vessels within the Irish six nautical mile limit is “likely to be more severe” on them than a “no-deal Brexit".…
The Government has allocated €13 million in increased funding to promote the” environmentally sustainable development” of the seafood industry. Budget 2021 has approved total funding for the Irish sea fisheries Programme at €151 million. Minister for Marine Charlie McConalogue welcomed…
If there is an ill wind that doesn’t blow some good, it is the numbers taking to the sea and inland waterways during Covid-19. As The Sunday Times reports today, this season has been the busiest ever for outdoor pursuit…
Calls for Ministerial Action & for Scientific Studies after High Court Ruling on Trawling Ban by Larger Vessels Inside 6 Nautical Miles
10th October 2020 Fishing
The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has called on Minister for Marine Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State for Biodiversity Pippa Hackett to “act swiftly” over a High Court decision that overturns a ban on fishing by vessels over 18 metres…
Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s role in certifying the Irish mussel industry as “sustainable” has earned it an “Ocean Hero” award from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC, based in Britain, is an international non-profit organisation which sets “globally recognised, science-based…
High Court Says Ban on Larger Vessels Fishing Within Six Mile Limit Has "No Legal Effect"
8th October 2020 Fishing
The High Court has found that a ban on trawling or fishing within seine nets by vessels over 18 metres in length inside the six-mile nautical limit has “no legal effect”. Mr Justice Michael McGrath issued his judgment on foot…
The two Galway fishermen who rescued two paddleboarders in August have been honoured at a mayoral reception. Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard described Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan as “Claddagh royalty” when he presented them with a framed presentation…
Government Drops any Inquiry into Encounter Between Fishing Vessel & Royal Navy Frigate
2nd October 2020 Fishing
The Government has opted not to pursue an incident where a British navy ship instructed an Irish fishing vessel to leave grounds where it was working some 60 miles off the Donegal coast. The 32-metre fishing vessel Marlíona, registered in…
When Fergus Farrell was paralysed after a workplace accident, he may never have imagined he would watch the sunrise as he plied a currach across Galway Bay. However, the former rugby player did just that with close friend and extreme…
Currach Crossing by Two Galway Rugby Players Planning Transatlantic Row
29th September 2020 Currachs
Two extraordinary men are set to row a currach from the Aran island of Inis Oírr to Galway city this morning to highlight their bid to cross the Atlantic in 2022. Extreme adventurer and former professional rugby player Damian Browne…
Galway Seabed Survey for Submarine Fibre Cable Between Iceland & Ireland
26th September 2020 Galway Harbour
Iceland has selected Galway as the European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company fully owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe. It has been undertaking preparatory work…
Penalty Points System for Fishing Offences May be Subject to New Court Challenge
24th September 2020 Fishing
The Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation (IS&WFPO) says it intends to initiate a constitutional challenge to the penalty points system for fishing offences introduced by the new government. Taoiseach Micheál Martin signed the system of administrative sanctions into…
French-Registered Fishing Vessel Detained by Naval Service off Blasket Islands
23rd September 2020 Navy
A French-registered fishing vessel has been detained by the Naval Service off the south-west coast. The LÉ William Butler Yeats (P63) detained the vessel for alleged breaches of fishing regulations after a boarding inspection approximately 11 nautical miles south-west of…
World Maritime Day "Lá Mara" to be Marked by Udaras na Gaeltachta Marine Webinar
23rd September 2020 News Update
Ireland’s “blue economy” and the opportunities for Gaeltacht communities will be debated at a marine “webinar” hosted by State agency Udarás na Gaeltachta on Thursday to mark world maritime day. Offshore renewable energy, standards for sustainable harvesting of both wild…
The Dubliners' ode to Irish shellfish in their song Molly Malone may have been relying on inaccurate information. New research by University College, Cork (UCC) scientists reports there is “inconsistent” data on the location of Irish cockles in previous studies. Cockles…
