• Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Member Login
  • Jobs
  • Contact
Geoscience Ireland
  • Expertise
  • Projects
  • Member Companies
  • About
    • Governance & Management
    • Member Companies
    • Membership
    • Clustering
    • Research and Innovation
    • Panel of Experts
    • Background
  • News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

News

From pencil and paper to drones and satellites – Geological Survey Ireland Celebrates its 175th Birthday

July 31, 2020/in News

July 31 2020 marks the 175th anniversary of the Act of Parliament that created a Geological Survey in Ireland. The Act was to facilitate the Completion of a Geological Survey of Great Britain and Ireland, under the Direction of the First Commissioner for the time being of Her Majesty’s Woods and Works.

The original need for a Geological Survey was to map the bedrock and overlying sediments to look for coal and other economic minerals on the island of Ireland. Time, history, and world affairs have shaped the Geological Survey since its inception and have altered its work focus. Geological Survey Ireland is now a division of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and has evolved into a world-standard national Earth science center with a staff of over 100 scientists, cartographers and support staff working on national and international projects. Its work supports the economic, social, and environmental development of Ireland as we face challenges due to climate change, increased pressure on land use, and the need for secure renewable energy sources.

Geological mapping in the 1800s was carried out by a small group of surveyors walking the land and recording information on the then ‘new’ Ordnance Survey 6 inch maps. Today, Geological Survey Ireland’s work includes mapping and understanding our soils, marine territory, geological heritage, groundwater systems, underground minerals resources, and aspects of climate change. It uses a range of modern and innovative technologies including a fleet of research vessels, geophysical equipment mounted on a plane, drones, satellites and drill rigs to carry out its work. These tools support modern field and laboratory work and modeling methods to refine the geological maps and data. Its largest projects are INFOMAR, the national marine mapping programme carried out in conjunction with Marine Institute; and Tellus, Ireland’s airborne and ground sampling environmental baseline mapping project, both of which are internationally renowned.

To support Ireland’s climate change policies, Geological Survey Ireland is developing a roadmap for using Ireland’s geothermal potential, monitoring the coasts with respect to sea-level change, using soil geochemistry data to assist with improving farming methods, supporting the Just Transition in the midlands for our move away from peat, gaining a better understanding of groundwater systems and looking at sustainable processes for the extraction and management of economic mineral resources.

The geoscience sector was worth €3.28 billion to the Irish economy in 2017. Geological Survey Ireland supports economic development through high quality, free data for all stakeholders. It promotes the Irish geoscience sector through the Geoscience Ireland business cluster and provides financial and technical assistance to the Irish UNESCO Global Geoparks. It contributes to Ireland’s geoscience research and education through funding and through national and international research projects.

Minister Eamon Ryan TD, Minister with responsibility for Geological Survey Ireland congratulated it on the anniversary. He said:

“It is my pleasure to mark this special occasion of the 175th anniversary of a Geological Survey in Ireland. A robust understanding of our rocks, soil, water, and onshore and offshore physical features is the basis of planning for a sustainable future. We need to continue to build on the good work of the Geological Survey and use their data, maps, science and expertise to make informed decisions on energy sources, smart farming, water protection, planning, and resource management. Ireland has been, and can continue to be, a world leader in geoscience data acquisition and I look forward to seeing the future work of Geological Survey Ireland.”

Koen Verbruggen, Director of Geological Survey Ireland, said:

“I’m proud to be part of such a dedicated team of people who are working hard to further our understanding of our natural systems for the benefit of all aspects of society. As we face the challenges of climate change, the need for the transition from fossil fuel to more sustainable sources such as geothermal and offshore renewables, and the need for protected sources of water, the staff at Geological Survey Ireland is ready to meet these challenges through our expertise, high quality data collection, national and international collaborations, and innovative solutions.”

To mark 175 years of the Geological Survey in Ireland, a joint Geological Survey Ireland and National Museum of Ireland exhibition is due to open in Collins Barracks, Dublin, at the end of 2020, and a series of events including a television series celebrating Ireland’s rich geology being planned.

Geoscience Ireland is a business network programme supported by Geological Survey Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://i0.wp.com/www.geoscience.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/175logogsi.jpg?fit=845%2C304&ssl=1 304 845 GSI Editor 1 https://www.geoscience.ie/wp-content/themes/master/images/geoscience-logo-v1.png GSI Editor 12020-07-31 13:30:062020-07-31 13:30:06From pencil and paper to drones and satellites – Geological Survey Ireland Celebrates its 175th Birthday

Latest Projects

  • Mincon – Crown Bridges Light Rail Project, Heksinki, FinlandJanuary 15, 2023 - 8:18 pm
  • Celtic Interconnector; Onshore Investigation by RubiconNovember 26, 2022 - 8:08 pm
  • Dam Site Investigation by Mincon in FinlandNovember 26, 2022 - 7:27 pm
  • GDGeo – EUROPEAN PORT FUNDING STUDYNovember 1, 2022 - 4:19 pm
  • NICHOLAS O’DWYER – Lusaka to Ndola Dual Carriageway, (T002/T003)September 1, 2022 - 3:15 pm
  • NICHOLAS O’DWYER – NEOM Reservoirs and Water Distribution Complex (WDC)– NEOM Circular City Water Storage Reservoirs and WDCAugust 25, 2022 - 4:53 pm
  • J.B. Barry & Partners Irish Water Solar PV ProgrammeAugust 11, 2022 - 3:15 pm
  • ByrneLooby – Al SahelJuly 7, 2022 - 5:27 pm
  • ByrneLooby – Hawar Island Submarine CableJuly 7, 2022 - 5:20 pm
  • Rossaveal Deep HarbourMay 18, 2022 - 8:34 am
All Projects

Latest News

  • Strong Performance by Geoscience Ireland (GI) Members in 2022January 30, 2023 - 4:02 pm
  • Irish Drilling joins RSKJanuary 13, 2023 - 3:48 pm
  • First Geo-Driller Graduates from SETUJanuary 13, 2023 - 3:06 pm
  • GI member QME Develops EV Kits for Mining EquipmentDecember 16, 2022 - 12:10 pm
  • John Barry joins Geoscience Ireland (GI) Panel of ExpertsDecember 15, 2022 - 10:34 am
All News

GSI Logo
DFA Logo EI Logo
  • Home
  • Expertise
  • Projects
  • About
  • News
  • Contact
© Copyright Geoscience Ireland
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Privacy
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our privacy policy in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy
Accept settingsHide notification only
Open Message Bar