Marine Environment, Science, wildlife, weather & Ocean energy
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys who has announced funding of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects across the country. The funding can be used for upgrades and repairs to beach access points, mountain trails, forest walks and cycleway
Kilkee cliff walk in Co Clare and access to Galway’s Traught strand and Kerry’s Ballybunion beach are among projects awarded grants under the Government’s outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. A total of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor…
Sea Synergy Oyster Project which received Small Conservation Grant funding in 2023
Galway Atlantaquaria is offering grants for five small-scale conservation projects related to marine and freshwater. Projects should focus on education and engagement, native species and habitats, or involving a local community or community group, with a special focus on marine…
Marine Institute Year in Review 2023
The Marine Institute has published its Year in Review 2023, a snapshot of some of the organisation’s many highlights during what it says was a busy and productive year. Published on Wednesday (27 March), the 24-page document presents key achievements…
Kate Burns, a marine and rural resources expert and Managing Director of Islander Kelp Ltd has been appointed to the board of the Marine Institute
The Minister for Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the appointment of Ms Pauline Cronin, Ms Kate Burns, and Prof. Tim McCarthy to the Board of the Marine Institute. The Minister said they have each been appointed for a period of…
A geographer has been awarded €300,000 in funding to lead the Irish stage of a European project aiming to boost the transformation towards a “climate neutral” blue economy. Dr John Morrissey, lecturer in geography at Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College, will…
File image of Achill Island RNLI’s Trent class all-weather lifeboat
Achill Island RNLI carried out a medical evacuation off Clare Island on Monday night (25 March). The volunteer crew were requested to launch the station’s all-weather lifeboat just before 9pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to medevac…
One of Hanneke Frenkel's sea stacks on Turbot Island
In Search of Hy-Brasil, an exhibition reflecting fieldwork from Ireland’s offshore islands, has begun a nationwide tour on the Aran island of Inis Meáin. As previously reported by Afloat, the exhibition first appeared in the Irish pavilion at last year’s…
RNLI lifeguards on a beach
The RNLI lifeguard team are returning to patrol seven beaches along the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland over the upcoming Easter period. The lifeguard service is also adjusting its operational hours this season from 10am to 6pm each day. From…
Jennifer Coughlan of the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science at the deployment of habitat units along the Great South Wall at Dublin Port
Dublin Port Company (DPC), in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), proudly announces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity along the Great South Wall. This innovative project marks a significant milestone in the realm of eco-engineering, setting a new…
The suction dredger Charnock returns to Warrenpoint from emptying its load in the open sea at Dundalk Bay
Afloat reader Lee Maginnis has shared a new image of the suction dredger Charnock returning to Warrenpoint in Co Down after emptying its load in the open sea on Sunday (24 March). As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the vessel has…
A Guide to Responsible Boating
EBI, which represents the European boating industry, has teamed up with NGO The SeaCleaners to publish a new Guide to Responsible Boating. Released on Friday (22 March) to coincide with World Water Day, the comprehensive guide is being touted as…
File image of the Great South Wall in Dublin Bay
Dublin’s Great South Wall has taken on the appearance of the Cork Harbour shoreline thanks to a new biodiversity project. According to RTÉ News, a series of large concrete blocks imprinted with a mould of the Ringaskiddy coastline have been…
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) is working to identify the issues affecting water quality in every county in Ireland. Where issues are identified, we collaborate with the relevant local authority, public body, and water stakeholder to find a solution. Community engagement is the cornerstone of this approach
World Water Day has been marked with funding for over 150 projects to improve water quality across the island of Ireland. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which works for Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water…
Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan - Ireland gets 35% of its electricity from onshore wind farms, which is more than anywhere else in Europe
Minister for Environment and Climate Eamon Ryan has said that Ireland is “already a wind energy success story” on land and is “now looking to our seas.” “We get 35% of our electricity from onshore wind farms, which is more…
Students at ATU - MSc students Shanlle Gilkes (left) & Adara Jaggernauth (second from right) in ATU with Dr. Deirdre Brophy (Project Supervisor & MFRC Leader) and & David O’Sullivan, Our Shared Ocean Programme Manager
The Our Shared Ocean funding programme, designed to build strategic research partnerships between Ireland and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has enabled two scholars from the Caribbean island of Grenada to enroll in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway to undertake…
The EU wants to Improve the resilience and economic viability of its fishing fleet
The European Commission is seeking proposals to develop a fishing vessel equipped with alternative propulsion technologies and improved energy performance. The “demonstrator” vessel should foster energy transition in the fisheries sector, and has a budget of 2.2 million euro, drawn…