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
A Government plan to streamline marine planning and consent has been stymied by refusal of one key department to become involved writes Lorna Siggins A new “one stop permit shop” for offshore wind farms, ocean energy and other marine activities…
The Irish Coast Guard was warned over three years ago of difficulties with full inflation of lifejackets used by its inshore search, rescue and recovery craft, as Lorna Siggins reports in The Sunday Times reports today here. The Irish Coast…
“We are celebrating here afloat on the Antarctic floe not knowing what way we will drift next or be frozen in for another winter... Breakfast a seal steak and cup of tea...dinner a pancake made of flour water fried in…
A Spanish registered fishing vessel has been escorted into Galway by the Naval Service after it was detained off the Kerry coast writes Lorna Siggins. The vessel was inspected by the Naval Service patrol ship LÉ William Butler Yeats and…
An endangered basking shark showed up off North America three years after it was tagged in Ireland, according to new research published by Irish and Canadian scientists. A female basking shark which was fitted with a satellite transmitter at Malin…
Galway’s “edge of the world” situation between river, lake and sea has inspired a documentary which secured a top award earlier this week at the Irish Film Festival London writes Lorna Siggins The documentary entitled Cumar – a Galway Rhapsody…
New System of "Strategic Marine Activity Zones" May Result from Draft Marine Plan
11th November 2019 Environment
"Strategic marine activity zones" may be designated in coastal and offshore waters as part of the Government's new approach to marine planning. Offshore wind projects will receive "preference" in marine areas zoned for this, a new draft framework published this…
Galway Coroner Pays tribute to French Canadian Camper & Emergency Services who Tried to Assist Swiss Woman Fatally Injured by Caravan in Storm Ali
31st October 2019 Coastguard
A Galway coroner has paid tribute to a French-Canadian who tried to save the life of a Swiss woman when the caravan she was staying in at a Connemara campsite was swept into the sea during Storm Ali writes Lorna Siggins…
EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly Calls on EU Fisheries Council to be More Transparent with Quota Documentation
30th October 2019 Fishing
European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has recommended that the EU fisheries council should “proactively” release documents on annual fishing quota negotiations into the public domain writes Lorna Siggins Ms O’Reilly has ruled that the documents should be made public at the same…
The EU has permitted the Irish government to introduce legislation restricting use of plastic microbeads to protect marine wildlife and the environment writes Lorna Siggins. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy confirmed the European Commission’s clearance last…
Giant “fire sculptures”, a community dinner, jazz lunch and a walk to Omey island are among activities planned for Conamara Sea Week’s programme based in and around the Quaker village of Letterfrack. Ecologist Gordon D’Arcy is participating in a schools…
Relatives Express Delight at Award for Donegal Fishermen, 63 years After Rescue of 18 people
17th October 2019 Rescue
The relatives of a Fermanagh woman who was one of 18 people rescued by two Donegal fishermen have expressed delight that the men are to receive national bravery awards – all of 63 years after the event writes Lorna Siggins James…
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board has confirmed that it is liaising with several flag states over a collision off the Kerry coast last weekend writes Lorna Siggins One fisherman was injured in the massive impact, which smashed in the bow…
Two Donegal brothers are to receive national bravery awards next week for their rescue of 18 people from two vessels which got into difficulty off Portnoo - all of 63 years ago writes Lorna Siggins. Retired fishermen James and Michael…
Fastnet 1979 Irish Survivors' Reunion Remembers Those Who Died & Pays Tribute to Rescue Agencies
12th October 2019 Fastnet
When an “explosion of a storm” tore its way through the Fastnet yacht race off the Irish coast 40 years ago, there were those among the survivors who could not speak about the experience for years writes Lorna Siggins However, over…
Coastwatch Appeals for Volunteers Over Spring Tide Period as Survey Extended
11th October 2019 Marine Wildlife
Coastwatch is appealing for volunteers over the Spring tide period to participate in its annual coastal survey which has been extended to October 21st writes Lorna Siggins Recent stormy weather and heavy rain have curtailed this year’s effort, and Coastwatch coordinator…
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has paid tribute to outgoing Marine Institute chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan for the “phenomenal impact” he has had on Irish and international scientific research writes Lorna Siggins. Dr Heffernan has been a “trailblazer, demanding political attention”,…
Wild Brown Trout Genome Sequencing Will Give Further Insight into "Superpower" Status, Queen's University Belfast Scientist Predicts
8th October 2019 Marine Science
If there is one species to survive climate breakdown or transfer to a new planet, it is very likely to be the wild brown trout. Humans may think they have “superpowers”, but the trout (Salmo Trutta) beats us all, according…
Sea Fisheries Officer Made Protected Disclosure to Marine Minister on Legal Advice
6th October 2019 SFPA
A State sea fisheries officer made a protected disclosure over its levels of regulation to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and members of an Oireachtas committee last year. The whistleblower, an officer with the Sea Fisheries Protection…
Round World Yachtsman Damian Foxall Leading Sailing Expeditions to Antarctica
5th October 2019 Cruising
Two centuries after the “white continent” was recorded officially for the first time by an expedition led by Irishman Edward Bransfield, Kerry round-the-world offshore racer Damian Foxall plans to explore Antarctica by sail. Kerry-born Foxall will be accompanied on his…
