SHERKIN COMMENT

Issue No. 49 Environmental Quarterly of Sherkin Island Marine Station 2010

Irish Lights – Two Centuries of Service Cocos (Keeling) – Paradise Found What can be learned from recent flooding 25 years of Gaisce – the President’s Awards John Gore-Grimes charts the history of Irish Pete Atkinson visits and photographs some events? John Murphy on the history of the national Lights since its formation. 7 fascinating islands in the Indian Ocean. 10 Brendan Devlin discusses flooding in Ireland. 20 challenge awards for young people. 30

Centre pages: Birds of the Irish Coastline

“Gannet with nesting materialial” Photography by Richarichard Millsills 2 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Contents Editorial EDITORIAL: Looking after the planet...... 2 Matt Murphy stresses the need to educate our young people on protecting the environment. Looking after the planet The Antarctic Peninsula...... 3 Oscar Merne’s third and final article on his trip what we have been doing. I role in the planning system and that the rise in water levels, pre- to Antarctica. By Matt Murphy believe even an extra hour a the other projects they are dicted to occur due to climate week on environmental care in organising, with schools and change, will not affect new Climate Change: What Now?...... 4 WHY is there a belief primary and secondary schools county councils around the housing? On a more practical Alex Kirby gives his views on the climate talks. amongst many people that if the would bring about more long- country. and local level, are farmers tak- big issues are addressed the Greening the Built Environment ...... 5 term change than dozens of One cannot mention plan- ing into account the highest environment will be saved? Second in a series of articles from Walter Mugdan. environmental laws introduced ning and education without past flood height on their land This is the great fallacy of the by governments, many of which remembering the massive when storing their bailed Frills & Gills ...... 6 environmental movement in are just “paper talk”. flooding throughout the country silage? Should they construct a Declan Quigley on Hexanchiform Sharks in Irish general. Every so often we have One of the most essential last winter. Undoubtedly some raised area above the level of nations gathering to strike a and North East Atlantic Waters. educational tools missing in of the flooding could not have the recent floods so that the deal on how to “save the envi- Ireland is a strong national non- been prevented as the continu- fodder is not affected in the Irish Lights - Two Centuries of Service 1810 to 2010 ...... 7 ronment”. Kyoto was to be the governmental organisation, ous heavy rainfall was future? In view of the rare John Gore-Grimes charts the history of Irish Lights great step forward in tackling that deals with the environment. exceptional and such events are nature of floods such as those since its formation. climate change, yet it failed The two biggest are An Taisce rare. However, could more have that occurred recently, are farm- amid a jungle of words. Copen- Kilmacurragh Arboretum ...... 8 and Birdwatch Ireland but each been done in the past to reduce ers recording, and even hagen was then to be the have only a few thousand mem- the impact and can we do more marking, the height of the The Head Gardener, Seamus O’Brien, on how the definitive way forward - it also bers. The latter membership is in the future? I am not going to recent flood so that this infor- OPW are securing the future of this great garden. failed. Unfortunately the next, solely for people with an inter- dwell on the Cork City flood, as mation is available for future and subsequent meeting of The Role of An Taisce ...... 9 est in birds and although it is the blame game has still not generations living and farming world leaders will end in failure Catherine McMullin highlights the work of the doing magnificent work, it is ended with regard to what in the area? We must learn and because to get consensus, specialised. An Taisce should should have been released at we must not forget! organisation. agreements will be watered have a huge presence through- the Inniscarra Dam. Instead, Climate change or no climate Cocos (Keeling) - Paradise Found...... 10 down. Of course, the PR spin out every county in Ireland but looking at the Gort-Ardrahan change, is not the issue. What is will tell us progress will have Pete Atkinson visits and photographs some unfortunately it doesn’t. In fact area in Co. Galway, there were vital is that we are good house- been made, but to what extent? fascinating islands in the Indian Ocean. it has little or no presence in recommendations made in the keepers of the planet we have The only way to make real many counties. The general Southern Water Global (1998) inherited. We cannot continue to Timber ...... 12 progress and protect the envi- public does not seem to under- and Daly (1992) reports on the destroy so much of what is irre- Daphne Pochin Mould discovers historical records ronment for future generations stand its function in the flooding in the area in 1990, placeable. If we continue to go of timber imports to Cork City. is through educating the masses planning system. They believe 1991 and 1995 and yet new on the way we are, future gener- to become its guardians. Before it objects to some developments housing estates, such as the one ations will have a planet devoid Floods and Fishes...... 13 the end of this century, without because an individual may have in Ballinasloe, were located in of so much. As the world popu- Dr. Martin O’Grady explains how floods affect input from everyone, the world a NIMBY gripe. An Taisce's areas prone to flooding. Why lation continues to increase, we our freshwater fish. will have decimated much of its activities with schools in recent do we so often ignore recom- will face vast starvation and natural resources, including Focus on Environmental Enforcements in Ireland ..14 years, including the Green and mendations such as these? Why wars between nations over groundwater, oil, iron ore and the Blue Flag schemes, have done does our innate ‘common water rights. Education is the Cormac MacGearailt outlines the findings of the rainforest – to name but a few. much to raise the organisation’s sense’ not apply in these cir- only way forward. Of course, it 2006-2008 report. The real way to change peo- profile in a positive way. How- cumstances – perhaps once will be a near-impossible moun- Birds of the Irish Coastline ...... 15/16/17 ple’s attitude to the environment ever much more needs to be again it is because our knowl- tain to climb but we must begin. can best be achieved by educat- Richard Mills and Jo Kerrigan highlight the rich done for people to regard it as a edge and awareness of planning Today’s young must be given ing the young, as it is they who positive, national organisation - and environmental issues have the ability to lead the way but and diverse birdlife around our coast. will introduce their parents to for people to see that it has not been developed by our edu- first they must be guided The New EPA Code of Practice for On-Site conservation. Even more impor- everyone’s interest at heart. In cational system. After the through education. Wastewater Treatment & Disposal Systems ...... 18 tantly, when they reach this issue of Sherkin Comment recent flooding throughout the adulthood, they will bring san- Margaret Keegan outlines new codes of practice. I have asked Ms. Catherine country, will local authorities ity to governments, as their Matt Murphy, Sherkin Island McMullin the dedicated volun- ensure that houses are only Marine Station, Sherkin Revealing Cork’s Rich Heritage of Wild Flowers...... 19 priority will be the protection of tary member from the Kerry located at levels sufficiently John Akeroyd reviews Tony O’Mahony’s new book. the environment. Many will say branch to outline An Taisce’s high above the recent floods so Island, Co. Cork. I am naive to think such aware- What can be learned from recent flooding events? ..20 ness is achievable. One must Brendan Devlin discusses flooding in Ireland. remember what has already Birdlife on the Scottish Solway Coast...... 22 been achieved in Ireland to date, SUBSCRIPTION FORM where each child is provided Anthony Toole on the richness of birdlife along with a primary and secondary SHERKIN COMMENT is a quarterly publication of Sherkin Island Marine Station parts of the Scottish coastline. education. Thankfully in recent aiming to promote the awareness of our natural resources, their use and protection. Recycling of Waste Fishing Nets ...... 23 years more emphasis has been SUBSCRIPTION: to receive a year’s subscription to “Sherkin Comment”, please Highlighting an important initiative from BIM. placed on educating children send a cheque or money order for €7.00 for Ireland and £6.50stg for the U.K. about the environment, and it (sterling cheques accepted from UK); send €11.00 for Europe and the rest of the Publications of Interest...... 24 has now been integrated into the Irish Seaweed Kitchen...... 25 curriculum. However, I feel that world (surface postage) – payable to Sherkin Comment, Sherkin Island Marine Prannie Rhatigan introduces us to the culinary even more emphasis needs to be Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork. Ireland. Tel: 028–20187 uses of seaweed. put on the environment in Fax: 028–20407 Email: [email protected] schools and that education on Captain Cockle ...... 26 the environment should nearly Please send a 1 year subscription – beginning with Issue No...... More exciting facts from John Joyce. be as important as teaching Please send a 2 year subscription – beginning with Issue No...... Dawn Chorus ...... 27 reading and writing. Can you Niall Hatch sings praise for early morning bird song. imagine the consternation if I enclose cheque/postal order to the sum of €...... governments decided there was Beetles – Puzzle pages ...... 28 no need to teach reading and Name ...... writing to children? That Lifetime Lab in Cork City ...... 29 Address ...... 25 years of Gaisce – The President’s Awards...... 30 instead they decided to save John Murphy on the history of the national money in the belief children ...... would learn to read and write as challenge awards for young people. Tel ...... Email Address ...... adults? Of course there would Nature’s Web – check it out online ...... 31 be hell to pay and the govern- Date ...... Signature ...... ment of the day would be swept The Cost of Environmental Protection ...... 32 STAFF: Editor, Matt Murphy; Editorial Assistant, Susan Murphy Wickens; Typesetting, Mike Ludwig discusses why we need to invest in out of power. By not educating our children adequately on the Susan Murphy Wickens; Publisher, Matt Murphy. ISSN 0791–2447 © 2010 the environment. environment, that is in effect Sherkin Island Marine Station website: www.sherkinmarine.ie SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______3 tion Island was in 1969 and By Oscar Merne Chilean and British Antarctic Survey research stations had IN the last issue of Sherkin to be evacuated and aban-

Comment (No. 48) I described Photos: © Oscar Merne doned. Some of the more the southward journey to the TheThe intrepid/foolhardy in our party Antarctic Peninsula, from dug a shallow hole in the Tierra del Fuego across the black sand, waited a few min- Drake Passage in a hurricane. utes for it to fill with hot We left our departure port of ANTANTARARCTICCTIC PPENINSULENINSULAA water, had a quick plunge in Ushuaia at 18.00 hrs on 6th the freezing sea waters of the December (2008), and, after a crater, followed by a warming rough crossing of the Drake dip in the hot pool. With chat- Passage, we sighted the first tering teeth and goose bumps Antarctic icebergs at 10.00 hrs they then evacuated to the MV on Tuesday 9th December. Table icebergs in Bransfield Strait Ioffe for hot drinks. Soon after I spotted land at The island has a major snow-covered Anvers Island, colony of Chinstrap Penguins, a large island on the west side penguin droppings), South on the Yangtse River in China base huts, and occasionally ing, black sand beach, from Polar Skuas, Kelp Gulls – but a lot colder! In the inquisitive penguins waddle where we spent several hours but when we were there many of the Antarctic Peninsula. of the birds had not yet started From then until we left (rather like yellow-legged evening some of us visited a inside. exploring the island. As on the Great Black-backed Gulls) former British Antarctic Sur- From the Antarctic Penin- north side of South Georgia, nesting. However, individuals Antarctica at 20.00 hrs on Sat- and small groups were walk- urday 13th December we and Antarctic Terns (very like vey base at Port Lockroy, sula we crossed the 180 km the rusting remains of an our Arctic Terns). which is now managed by the wide Bransfield Strait to abandoned whaling station ing about within the crater, spent our time cruising slowly and a group of c.1,000 were in the sheltered waters It was very early in the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. Deception Island, which is a “adorned” a section of the Antarctic summer for whales, It is an official Royal Mail large active volcano lying off shore inside the crater. It was a clustered on the seaward side between the islands and the of the island. Several Weddell peninsula, and we were lucky but some of us had a brief office, from which you can the south end of the South sad sight, especially when one view of a Minke Whale in one send your postcards home, Shetland Islands. Much of the thought of the thousands of Seals were hauled out on the enough to make eleven suc- beach, a flock of Pintado cessful landings on the islands of the sheltered channels. and has a surprisingly well- island is warmed by geother- great whale that had been ren- However, we had very good stocked shop selling mal energy and large areas are dered there, and whose oil Petrels was feeding actively and mainland. I heard after- on a swarm of copepods in the wards that a ship which views of seals, especially souvenirs, weather wear, snow-free. The caldera of the filled the enormous storage when cruising slowly in the books on Antarctica, etc. An volcano is linked with the tanks before being transported breakers, and several visited the area a few days Brown/South Polar Skuas earlier had managed just three Zodiacs, when we were able added bonus is that Gentoo open sea by a narrow cut all around the world. It was to drift quietly up to animals Penguins have a breeding (Neptune’s Bellows), and we also poignant to see a couple (one with rings on its legs) landings, because many of the were loafing by a freshwater bays and channels were hauled out on ice floes. Wed- colony around and under the were able to sail into the crater of simple wooden crosses dell Seals were most and drop anchor in sheltered marking the graves of whalers pool. I was somewhat sur- blocked by sea ice. prised to find large carpets of Our ship, the MV Ioffe, was numerous, followed by Crab- waters. We went ashore in the who had never returned home. eater Seals, and we also had Zodiacs, landing on a steam- The last eruption on Decep- moss growing in some areas, equipped with ten large having seen only lichens in Zodiac RIBs, which were excellent close views of sev- eral magnificent Leopard other exposed rocky parts of launched by crane from the the Antarctic Peninsula. stern of the ship, in an impres- Seals. Their streamlined grey shapes, baleful eyes and many- We then moved on to Half sively efficient and quick Moon Island, a low-lying operation by the crew. We too toothed snouts reminded me of a giant Conger Eel. stony island in the middle of soon became adept at “layer- the South Shetlands. Here we ing up” very quickly, so as not We sailed through the Lemaire Channel, also known spent several hours exploring to waste any time getting on half of the crescent-shaped board the Zodiacs for cruising as “Iceberg Alley”, which is one of the most spectacular island, concentrating on a among the icebergs and floes, large colony of Chinstrap or landing on the rocky landscapes in this part of Antarctica. With precipitous Penguins. Among these was a shores. It was a late spring and pair of Macaroni Penguins, there were still heavy falls of black mountains towering ver- tically 1,000 m from the possibly the most southerly snow. We discovered that little breeding pair in Antarctica. progress could be made on mirror-calm sea, I was reminded of the Three Gorges Gentoo Penguin coming ashore Leopard Seal on ice floe There was also a small colony land with us sinking thigh- of Antarctic Terns and a scat- deep in the snow at each step. tering of breeding Kelp Gulls However, the snow shoes and South Polar Skuas. On were brought ashore and, after the pebble beaches five Wed- a quick crash-course in their dell Seals were hauled out. use, we were able to plod Notable on Half Moon Island along several kilometres with was the extensive areas of little difficulty, and even bright orange lichens on the climb 200 m hills. This mobil- rocky cliffs. This was our last ity allowed us not only to landing in Antarctica and late explore the magnificent land- in the evening of 13th scapes of black mountains, December we set sail through immaculately white snow, the straits between the islands glaciers, blizzards, blue skies, and out into the Drake Pas- the midnight sun and icebergs, sage for the 64-hours voyage but also to visit a number of to Cape Horn. penguin colonies. In this part Midnight sun near Anvers Island South Polar Skua on Deception Island The above is a brief outline of the Antarctic Peninsula the of some of the things we did common penguins are Gen- and saw. Just being there was, toos, which were struggling to as our American friends maintain open rocky nesting might say, “truly awesome”. spaces in the unseasonably If possible, I would go again, late snow. Adele Penguins maybe on a longer trip, tak- were also common, while ing in the Falkland Islands other birds we encountered (Las Malvinas) and South were ghostly white Snow Georgia, as well as the Petrels, Wilson’s Storm- Antarctic Peninsula. petrels (rather like our European Storm-petrels, but with yellow webs on their Oscar Merne retired from feet), Blue-eyed Cormorants, Ireland’s National Parks & Snowy Sheathbills (scaveng- Wildlife Service in January ing disgustingly among the Mountains in Lemaire Channel Blue ice in Wilhelmina Bay 2004. 4 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Climate Change: What Now?

the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate By Alex Kirby Change had published a wrong and unchecked allegation – that Himalayan glaciers were at NINE WEEKS is a long time in climate risk of melting by 2035. The IPCC aims to be change, although it may take decades or even the gold standard of evidence that climate centuries for the true impacts of human influ- change is happening, that humans are at least Christianshavns Canal, Copenhagen, Denmark. ence on the atmosphere to become entirely partly responsible for causing it, and that it clear. At the beginning of December 2009, on matters. It claims that every line of its volumi- even more worrying for those of us who main- And that may well have several corollaries. the eve of the United Nations climate confer- nous reports is scrutinised minutely. Yet this tain that the IPCC is flawed but that the science One is that the decisions we take within the ence in Copenhagen, most scientists and glacier claim came originally from a scientist of climate change remains robust. The Copen- next decade or so may have impacts far into the politicians were confident that the facts were who says now it was “speculative”, and the hagen conference was intended to agree a new future. A power company planning how to largely beyond dispute, and that the world was IPCC simply lifted it from a report by the cam- global treaty on tackling climate change, a maintain supplies as oil and gas become more only days away from a radical agreement on paign group WWF. It had not been subjected to treaty with teeth, targets and timetables. Its job expensive, for instance, may decide that the how best to respond. By the end of January peer review by other scientists, and the likely wasn’t really very complicated. What it had to only option is to build a coal plant. That will 2010 that apparently robust consensus was date for the Himalayan glaciers to be doomed do was work out an agreement which would probably be designed to work for 30 or 40 crumbling: the London Times published a appears to be 2350. commit the industrialised countries to rapid years. But by mid-century those of us in coun- prominent comment piece entitled “Global The IPCC now faces other accusations: that it moves towards a low-carbon economy; commit tries like Ireland and the UK should – according Warming: the Collapse of a Grand Narrative”. knew before Copenhagen that the glacier claim the industrialising states to agree that they to the science – have reduced our greenhouse Collapse? Well, up to a point, Lord Copper. was wrong, but failed to correct it; that it has would soon have to do the same, even though gas emissions by about 80% below their 1990 Several things came to light in those nine also played fast-and-loose with the supposed poverty eradication remains their priority for levels (at the moment they are rising by about weeks, but it will take some time yet to judge links between climate change and damage to now; agree to provide substantial amounts of 3% a year – and the forecasts say energy use is whether they amount to the collapse of the sci- Amazonia; that it has suggested a very doubtful money to help the developing world to slow its going to grow by about half by 2030.) So we ence of climate change. The first revelation link with an increase in extreme weather. The contribution to climate change, and to adapt to have to take the right decisions now. was that leaked emails written by scientists at jury may be out still on some of these charges, its effects; and provide a trusted way of sharing Another conclusion about climate change the University of East Anglia showed they had but there is near-unanimity that the Panel has that money out. that seems hard to resist is this. It is just one decided to flout the Freedom of Information shot itself in both feet, and possibly also in the Instead, in a last-minute deal, a few countries part of the growing environmental crisis, but it Act by withholding data requested by people head. Can the IPCC survive, and should it? agreed a deal with no teeth – the non-binding is likely to intensify many of the other parts critical of their arguments and conclusions. Something else happened in Copenhagen – Copenhagen Accord. The United Kingdom, that threaten human society. World water sup- Then, and more damagingly, it emerged that or rather, failed to happen – which is probably which regards itself as a world leader in acting plies are coming under increasing strain on climate change, was not a prime mover in (inevitably, in a world where human numbers the process. What made the fiasco still worse are still increasing), and that means food is was the lacklustre speech by Barack Obama . likely to become scarcer and more expensive. There had been widespread expectation that he The world is rapidly losing many of the other would attend the final stages of the conference species which make up the web of life, of only if he thought there was a chance of a which we are part and on which we depend. meaningful result. Yet as he delivered his brief Climate change will not help us to find enough address there was an almost perceptible ebbing water or food, or to give biodiversity a sporting of hope among his hearers. One US journalist chance of survival. said his dilemma had been cruel: he was Those who argue like this – that there is a damned if he came to Copenhagen, damned if gathering storm of different but interlocking he stayed away. The harsh truth is probably that environmental crises, with climate change set no leader had a popular mandate for action, to intensify them all – are sometimes dismissed because no country thinks the problem is grave as naive, innocent, credulous people intent on enough to justify radical action and far-reach- terrifying ourselves and everyone else with ing changes in the way we live. Science is not shadows. Some of the hardest-headed and least going to tip the scales against boredom, apathy gullible people I’ve met have been in the armed and deep scepticism. forces. So if they think there are problems But there is another part of the story. Many ahead, I’ll listen to them. They do. The London critics of the IPCC say it is unreliable because Guardian reported on 31 January: computer predictions of future climate are The Pentagon will for the first time rank inherently untrustworthy. But what it reports global warming as a destabilising force, relies only partly on predictions. Much of it is adding fuel to conflict and putting US troops copper-bottomed science which has been prop- at risk around the world, in a major strategy erly peer-reviewed. Much of it consists not of review to be presented to Congress... The predictions of what may happen, but of obser- quadrennial defence review, prepared by the vations of what is happening. There may be a Pentagon to update Congress on its security case for a drastic overhaul of the IPCC. But to vision, will direct military planners to keep write off everything it has reported would be to track of the latest climate science, and to lose the baby as well as the bathwater. factor global warming into their long term Many people who doubt that climate strategic planning. “While climate change change is anything to worry about tend to alone does not cause conflict, it may act as underestimate the speed at which it is happen- an accelerant of instability or conflict, plac- ing. If it was something that made itself felt ing a burden on civilian institutions and mil- only gradually, and by a steady, even increase itaries around the world,” said a draft of the in temperatures and sea levels, the prospects review seen by the Guardian. of being able to adapt to it would be a lot The IPCC may not have all the answers, and stronger (though even then, if those of us who the UNFCCC may need rejigging. But if cli- live in prosperous temperate countries could mate change persuades the Pentagon, I’m cope with a warming world, there is much less heading for the hills. likelihood that the poor could do so – and vir- tually no prospect of the natural world Alex Kirby is a former BBC environment adapting in time). It is not just the fact of correspondent. warming that is daunting, but the pace of it. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______5

Photos courtesy of US EPA Greening the Built Environment The Second in a Series of Articles

can limit idling time. This should be equally obvious, and yet it is custom- ary for diesel engines to be left running for extended time periods even when not required. Both of these strategies will also lower GHG emissions and save money by reduc- ing fuel use and extending engine life. Next, operators can choose to use cleaner fuels. Diesel fuel typically contains significant quantities of sul- fur, which is emitted as fine The vast majority of existing diesel engines continue to be a significant source of air particulates and sulfur oxides pollutants in the US. (another troublesome air pollutant, a precursor of acid rain). EPA has 1 legitimate concerns for neighbouring recently required ultra-low sulfur By Walter Mugdan communities (not to mention the diesel fuel (ULSD) to be widely workers themselves). available in the U.S. for use in on- IN the previous edition of Sherkin EPA promotes voluntary reduc- road vehicles, and in 2010 it will also Comment I wrote about the evolving tions of air pollution emissions from be required for use in non-road Biodiesel burns significantly cleaner than conventional diesel. “green construction” movement, construction equipment through a engines. In the meantime, operators which seeks ways to make our “built variety of strategies, ranging from who are not yet legally required to and burns significantly cleaner than involved – the Metropolitan Trans- environment” more eco-friendly and the easy and inexpensive to the use ULSD can easily do so for at conventional diesel. A typical 20% portation Authority, the Port sustainable. That first installment somewhat more costly. First, and most a few cents per gallon extra, biodiesel blend (known as “B-20”) Authority and the developer who focused on the ways in which archi- most obvious, operators should prop- which will yield a reduction of 5% to yields reductions of up to 12% in holds the lease on the WTC – all tects and engineers are working to erly maintain their equipment. 9% in particulate emissions. particulate emissions. Use of agreed to require of their construc- reduce the “carbon footprint” – the Second, operators and site managers Biodiesel – diesel fuel made biodiesel also results in reduced tion contractors that any piece of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- entirely from renewable, organic GHG emissions. The Destiny mall, diesel equipment larger than 50 sions associated with a building materials such as soybeans or even an enormous shopping centre under horsepower would have to be retro- throughout its life. This second arti- used cooking oils – can also be used, construction in Syracuse, New York fitted with DPFs. None of the cle focuses on ways in which has required all diesel equipment on contractors resisted the requirement; traditional air pollutants associated the job site to use B-100 (100% there was no noticeable effect on with construction can be minimized. biodiesel), with over 100,000 gallons project costs; the equipment has run Nearly all heavy construction used to date. for years without difficulties; and equipment uses diesel engines – Finally, the best approach is to residents and workers have been excavators, cranes, trucks, front-end retrofit diesel engines with pollution very pleased. loaders, construction site generators control equipment. There are two Just over the horizon is one of the and more. In the U.S., the newest major types of retrofit equipment – most promising developments in diesel engines are subject to diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) diesel technology, the hydraulic recently-established, stringent emis- BEFORE . . . . and . . . . AFTER RETROFIT. The emission control device is the and diesel particulate filters (DPFs). hybrid. Invented and patented by sion control requirements but the cylindrical unit on top of the engine on UPS Truck with pilot Hydraulic Hybrid DOCs are relatively inexpensive, EPA scientists but available to any Technology. vast majority of existing diesel the right. ranging from $500 to $2,000 depend- and all manufacturers for free, it is engines continue to be a significant ing on engine size and configuration; expected to reduce diesel fuel use source of air pollutants. Chief among they will remove about 30% of par- and associated emissions by 50% - these are very small particulates ticulate emissions. DPFs are 70% when fully developed. The known as PM 2.5 – particulate matter somewhat more expensive, ranging technology has been in pilot use for smaller than 2.5 microns in size; by from $3,000 to $10,000, but remove over three years on a large United comparison, a human hair is about 70 90% or more of particulates. Costs of Parcel Service (UPS) truck. A further microns in diameter. These are the DOCs or DPFs for larger and pilot application involves a pair of soot particles that make up the famil- unusual engines will be higher, but yard hostlers (trucks that move iar black puff of smoke that is the cost will always be small by com- freight containers around port facili- associated with diesel engines. PM parison with the cost of the piece of ties). And UPS recently ordered 2.5 is particularly dangerous pre- construction equipment on which it several more hydraulic hybrids to cisely because the particles are so is being installed. continue its evaluation of this inno- small. Their tiny size allows them to These strategies are voluntary, but vative technology. be inhaled more deeply into the any developer interested in “green- Coming in the next installment in lungs, easily bypassing the body’s ing” a project can specify their use. this series of articles: Reducing natural defenses. Schematic Diagram of Diesel Hydraulic Technology. For example, the reconstruction of water consumption and pollution. Because diesel engines are downtown Manhattan after the dev- 1Any opinions expressed in this designed to be extremely durable, astation of September 11, 2001 article are the author’s own, and do they tend to remain in service for a involves a massive series of con- not necessarily reflect the position of very long time – much longer than struction projects extending more the U.S. Environmental Protection automobile engines. Consequently, than 15 years. The local community, Agency the benefits of EPA’s new emission which suffered the effects of pollu- control requirements will take tion from the collapse of the World Walter Mugdan, Director, decades to be fully realised. With a Trade centre (WTC), was deeply concentration of diesel equipment Emergency & Remedial Response concerned about being exposed to Division, U.S. Environmental working all day long, any major con- large amounts of extra diesel emis- Protection Agency, Region 2, New struction site will be a significant Diesel Oxidising Catalyst (DOC) Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) sions during such a long construction source of air pollutants, creating period. The various agencies York City, USA. (January 2010) 6 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Frills & Gills Hexanchiform Sharks in Irish & North East Atlantic Waters

By Declan T. Quigley are unique amongst sharks in demersal (0-2500m) species. that the first gill slit com- Although adults generally FRILLED Sharks, Sixgill pletely encircles the head on inhabit deeper (>91m) conti- Sharks and Sevengill Sharks the ventral surface whereas in nental and insular shelves and belong to a small order of all other sharks the left and slopes, juveniles are often primitive sharks (Hexanchi- right gill openings are clearly found close inshore. Although separated. The species also H. griseus is a widespread, formes) represented by two Irish rod & line record (480kg, lower jaw (compared with 6 anus) is a relatively large exhibits other unique anatom- highly migratory species, its families (Chlamydoselachidae 390cm T.L., Loop Head, Co rows in H. griseus), relatively (maximum T.L. 290cm), long- ical features: the mouth is circum-global distribution is & Hexanchidae), four genera Clare, 16.06.2009 [IGFA narrow head and mouth and lived (30-50 years), terminal (in most sharks it is rather patchy: Western Atlantic and six species (Table 1), four World Record 588.76kg, bigger eye. It is a relatively ovoviviparous species (apla- under slung beneath the head), (North Carolina to Florida, of which have been recorded Ascension Is., S. Atlantic, small (maximum T.L. 180cm) centally viviparous, producing the lower jaw is only loosely northern Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, from the NE Atlantic and 21.11.2002]). Specimens were ovoviviparous species (up to 67-104 pups per litter in shal- attached to the cranium and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, three from Irish waters. The taken throughout the year but 13 pups per litter). low inshore nursery areas), there are numerous widely Venezuela; southern Brazil to Chlamysoselachidae includes most (66.5%) were captured primarily inhabiting inshore spaced needle-sharp tricuspid northern Argentina); Eastern two species of Frilled Shark during winter and spring, with Sevengill Sharks teeth on both jaws. Atlantic (Iceland & Norway to waters at (<1-50m), with while the Hexanchidae (Cow February alone accounting for Namibia, including the (Heptranchias perlo adults ranging into deeper off- Sharks) includes two species almost 18% of the records. Mediterranean); Indian Ocean shore waters (>136m). It is of Sixgill Shark and two Over 90% of the specimens & Notorynhus cepedianus) (South Africa, southern wide-ranging, albeit patchily species of Sevengill Shark. were immature (<300cm T.L.) The Sharpnose Sevengill distributed in cool temperate The Hexanchiformes are Mozambique, Madagascar, suggesting that inshore waters Shark (Heptranchias perlo) is waters: Western South immediately distinguished by Aldabra & Comoros Islands); are probably important nurs- a relatively small (maximum Atlantic (southern Brazil to the presence of either 6 or Western Pacific (Japan, Taiwan, ery areas for juveniles and T.L. 139cm) ovoviviparous northern Argentina); Eastern seven gill slits whereas all Malaysia, Sumatra, Australia & species (9-20 pups per litter), New Zealand); Central Pacific sub-adults (Figure 1). South Atlantic and Indian other known sharks (c.500+ Photo Courtesy of Professor Keiich Matsuura primarily inhabiting deep- (Hawaiian Islands & Palau); Until the early 1960s, only Ocean (Namibia, South Africa species), bar one (the unre- Frilled Shark water benthic and epibenthic and Eastern Pacific (Aleutian one species of Sixgill Shark to India); Western Pacific lated Sixgill Sawshark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus) continental and insular (H. griseus) was known. (southern Japan, Koreas, Pliotrema warreni Regan, Islands to Baja California, shelves and slopes at depths However, in 1962, a second China, Australia & New 1906), have 5 gill slits. All Globally, C. anguineus is a Mexico and Chile). of 27-1000m, occasionally wide-ranging ovoviviparous species, the Bigeye Sixgill Zealand); Eastern Pacific Hexanchiformes have a single closer inshore. (6-12 pups per litter) mainly Shark (H. nakamuari), was (British Columbia to Gulf of anal fin and a single spineless H. perlo is wide-ranging, deep-water benthopelagic (50- confirmed from Taiwanese California, Mexico & Peru to dorsal fin set far back and albeit patchily distributed in 1500m) species but appears to waters. Since then, further central Chile). There are no originating over or behind the both tropical and temperate have a very patchy distribu- specimens of H. nakamurai known records from the North pelvic fins. These rare anatom- seas: Western Atlantic (North tion. Specimens have been have been recorded, albeit Atlantic. ical elasmobranch features, Carolina to Cuba and the recorded, albeit rarely, from rarely and diffusely, from H. perlo can be distinguished along with their unique denti- northern Gulf of Mexico; and the following geographical warm temperate and tropical from N. cepedianus by the fol- tion, have been observed in southern Brazil to Argentina); regions: Western Indian seas over a wide geographic lowing characters: 5 rows of some of the oldest known fos- Eastern Atlantic (Scotland to Ocean (South Africa); West- area: western North Atlantic comb-like teeth in the lower sil shark remains dating from Angola, including the ern Pacific (Japan to New (Bahamas, Cuba, Nicaragua & jaw of H. perlo (compared with the Devonian (c.410 million Mediterranean); Indian Ocean Zealand); Eastern Pacific Costa Rica); eastern Atlantic 6 rows in N. cepedianus), years ago, e.g. Frilled Sharks), (South Africa, Mozambique, (southern California to north- (Gibraltar, Mediterranean, acutely pointed head, narrow Mesozoic (250 million years Aldabra Island, and Quilon, ern Chile); Eastern Atlantic Ivory Coast, Nigeria); Indian mouth and large eyes. N. cepe- ago, e.g. Sevengill Sharks) and India); Western Pacific (northern Norway to northern Ocean (southern Africa, dianus is usually covered in Jurassic (205 million years (Japan, China, Indonesia, Namibia). There are no known Madagascar, Kenya & many small dark spots which ago, e.g. Sixgill Sharks). Australia & New Zealand); records from the Western Aldabra Island, India); west- are absent in H. perlo. Photo courtesy of Dr Simon Berrow Eastern Pacific (northern Frilled Sharks Atlantic. Only a handful of ern Pacific (Taiwan, It is possible that some Bluntnose Sixgill Shark Chile). There are no known specimens have been recorded Philippines, Australia & New Hexanchiformes species may (Chlamydoselachus anguineus (Hexanchus griseus) records from the Northeast from NW European waters to Caledonia). The species has be more common in Irish Pacific. The species is rela- & C. africana) date. During August 2000, H. griseus is the most fre- not been recorded from NW waters than the current paucity tively rare in NW European Until recently, only one three specimens were taken quently encountered member European waters to date. of records would suggest and o o waters (c.12 records north of species of Frilled Shark (C. off NW Ireland (55 N, 9 W) at of the Hexanchidae in Irish H. nakamurai inhabits con- it recommended that all speci- Biscay) and only two speci- anguineus) was known. How- a depth of 780m. and NW European waters. At tinental and insular shelves mens should be critically mens have been recorded ever, in 2009, a second least 265 specimens have been and slopes at depths of 90- examined in order to verify Sixgill Sharks from Irish waters to date: species, C. africana, was recorded from NW European 621m, usually near the identification to species level. described from southern (Hexanchus griseus waters since 1845, including bottom, but occasionally near 06.02.1984, ICES Division Africa (Angola, Namibia and about 110 from Irish waters. the surface and inshore, par- VIIg3, S Ireland, 70cm T.L. & & H. nakamurai) Declan T. Quigley, Dingle South Africa). Both species Although about 90% of the ticularly in tropical waters. H. 16.10.2006, ICES Division are elongated (maximum T.L. The Bluntnose Sixgill Shark specimens were taken by com- nakamuai can be distin- VIIj (31EO), 52o 43’N, 9o Oceanworld (Mara Beo Teo), 196cm, C. anguineus & (Hexanchus griseus) is a large mercial fishing vessels, the guished from H. griseus by 48’W, 108cm T.L. The Wood, Dingle, Co Kerry. 117cm C. africana) and ser- (482+cm T.L.) ovoviviparous remainder were captured by the following characters: 5 The Broadnose Sevengill Mobile: 087-6458485; Email: pent-like in appearance and (22-108 pups per litter) bathy- anglers, including the recent rows of comb-like teeth in the Shark (Notorynchus cepedi- [email protected] Photo courtesy of Dr Gordon Henderson Sharpnose Sevengill Shark (Heptranchias perlo) SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______7 CIL lighthouse to be automated in By John Gore-Grimes 1997. As technology improves, light ON the 22nd October 1707, an emitting diodes are now being used English Naval Fleet was returning which allow for an improvement in from the siege of Toulon during the range and conspicuity of aids to nav- IRISH LIGHTS igation lights while increasing War of the Spanish Succession. The fleet comprised fifteen line of battle- reliability and longevity. With no ships, five of lesser rank and one Images courtesy of Commissioners Irish Lights moving parts, the lifetime is in yacht under the command of Admiral Two Centuries of Service excess of ten years. Prior to the Sir Cloudesley Shovell. At mid-day 1980’s, the sextant was the primary the Admiral summoned all sailing instrument for navigating the oceans masters from the various ships to 1810 to 2010 of the world. To-day the navigator come on board his vessel, the Associ- relies on signals from satellites to ation. He consulted with them as to give the precise position, and all the the fleet’s position. The common guess-work and the charm of being opinion was that they were not too wrong has left the navigation table. far from Ushant, but one Captain dis- Inevitably less reliance is placed on sented and placed the fleet close to the warm and welcoming glow of a the Scillys. Sir William Jumper, light flashing from a lighthouse master of the Lennox estimated that a dome. Because more precision is three hour sail would bring them in always required by the mariner, the sight of the Scilly Isles. Unluckily General Lighthouse Authorities for the Admiral, he adopted the pre- operate and have operated a system vailing opinion. of Differential GPS since 1988 which offers an accuracy to within As darkness fell, a hard gale blew The S.S. Ierne standing of the Fastnet with hazy weather and rain and, five metres or better. E-Navigation unexpectedly, the roaring white 1169 but the ambitions of these Nor- ment was passed which transferred The power source for lighthouses and AIS have found their way into breakers of the Bishop and Clarks mans extended well beyond an the Irish lighthouses, then in exis- has changed radically over 1,500 the navigation system of all ships and were sighted off the weather bow. occupation as lighthouse keepers. tence, to the Corporation for years. It started with wood and pro- these now represent the demands of The Association (96 guns) was the Nevertheless, as they proceeded to preserving and improving Dublin gressed to coal. Later various types of the ships navigation system so that first ship to sight the myriad rocks gain political control they built what Port. By 1815 all agreements with oil-burners were used. By directing a the mariner now knows the position and islets which lie to the SW of the is the present lighthouse on the Hook private contractors were terminated, light beam through a lense the range of any other ship, or buoy in the area. Scillys. Shortly after the ring of eight Head. It is a masterly building the and the Corporation transformed the was improved from six to eight miles E-Navigation attempts to link all bells on the evening watch had died likes of which had not been seen in Lighthouse Service in to a unified (the range of a coal fire) to twenty these bridge systems in to a single away in the strong winds, the vessel Ireland before. The tower was con- service. The lighthouse keepers miles or more from oil lamps directed integrated coherent system to reduce struck the rocks and sank almost structed of local limestone and became the employees of the Corpo- through a revolving lense and emerg- the workload of the bridge crew. immediately. The Eagle (50 guns) burned lime mixed with ox’s blood. ration. The Dublin Port Act 1867 ing as parallel beams of light. AIS has been developed as a and the Rumney (70 guns) were cast Even to-day traces of the blood-lime ended the link between Dublin Port In the early 1890’s, gas flashers transponder system to enable auto- away on the same rocks. The smaller mix can be seen coming through the and the Irish Lighthouse Service. were introduced which enabled matic ship to ship communications Firebrand (a fire ship) under the paintwork. Since that date the provision and flashing lights without revolving and ship to shore communications command of Francis Percy struck the In 1665 King Charles II approved maintenance of all lighthouses in Ire- lense systems. Gas was made from with a range of 30 to 50 nautical same rocks and sank with the loss of the provision and operation of six land has been managed by the coal or acetylene from carbide. miles. AIS on buoys and light- all hands. From the four vessels, a lighthouses on the Irish coast which Commissioners of Irish Lights. To-day Electric lamps introduced another houses can provide automatic number in excess of 2,000 were lost. included the already built Hook the statutory remit of the Lighthouse step forward which reduced the work information to ships on the position There was but one survivor, George Head and added Howth Head, the Service in Ireland is derived from Dail of keepers considerably. Inevitably and status of the light. Providing Lawerence described in a contempo- Old Head of Kinsale, Charlesfort Eireann for the Republic of Ireland and electricity also enabled the automa- this information on the position and rary account as follows:- (then Barry Oges Castle) and the Isle from the House of Commons for tion and de-manning of stations with status of physical aids to navigation “Lawerence was Quarter Mr of of Magee. In 1810 an Act of Parlia- Northern Ireland. the Baily lighthouse being the last directly to the bridge via AIS ye Rumney a North countryman enhances the use of these aids to navigation and helps integrate the near Hull, a butcher by trade, a Clockwise from left: A survey team on Skelligs Rock in 1905; Coningbeg Buoy, which lusty fatman but much battered by electronic e-Navigation bridge dis- in 2007 replaced Coningbeg Lightship off the Saltee Islands, Co.Wexford; The play with the physical world outside ye rocks” Blackrock Sligo Lighthouse; J.J. Doherty, attendant at Tory Island in 1997; Howitzer The Admiral and his captains had Cannon Fog Signal Gun (Cannon guns entered the service in 1865 and were the bridge window. As the Irish failed to establish their longitude. operated by retired admiralty gunners). Lighthouse Service moves forward, The lights on the islands had been it recognises a requirement for observed but, in the hazy conditions, renewable energy. Starting with it was too late for the four vessels wind generators in the early 1980’s which were wrecked. Some of the the Lighthouse Service has now other 17 vessels had close encounters moved towards low maintenance but with great skill they managed to solar power with no moving parts ware ship and avoid disaster. and the first solar lighthouse was When the Association and her sis- installed on Rathlin O’Birne in ter vessel sank on the pinnacle rocks 1989. Twenty-one of the forty-two of the Scillys (SW England), there offshore stations and two of the were just 13 lighthouses in Ireland thirty-seven headland stations are which, although in public ownership now solar powered. All of our 142 since 1704, were individually con- navigational buoys are also solar structed, managed and operated by powered. private contractors. The standards of As e-Navigation develops, the reliability and therefore of availabil- importance of lighthouses dimin- ity of a light in the hours of darkness ishes. Buoys marking channels and varied from place to place. The old- waterways will continue to be impor- est lighthouse, which is also one of tant in assisting navigation in the oldest lighthouses in Europe, was confined waters. The slow but pro- operated, for a time, by most reliable gressive rise in tidal levels may make private contractors. Hook Head the marking of new dangers an lighthouse has been warning the important part of the Irish Light- mariners since the 5th Century when house Services work in the future. St. Dubhan set up a fire beacon on The Lighthouse Service will con- the headland. Dubhan and the Broth- tinue to move forward with the times ers were followed by their holy and it will continue to honour its successors and they kept the Hook motto – “In Salutem Onmium” – (In Head light shining for 600 years. the service of all). New contractors arrived at Bannoa Bay, Co. Wexford, on the 1st May John Gore-Grimes, Cavendish House, Smithfield, Dublin 7. 8 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 friends. Exciting new plants contin- By Seamus O’Brien ued to be supplied from the nursery at Glasnevin including the Chinese Photos: © OPW LOCATED in east County Wick- collections of E. H. Wilson, George low, Kilmacurragh Arboretum is the Forrest and Frank Kingdon Ward. centrepiece of an 18th century estate Alas, Kilmacurragh’s heyday was that once covered almost 5,500 acres short-lived. With the outbreak of the (2,226ha). Seat of the Acton family Great War the Acton brothers headed for three centuries, Kilmacurragh for the battlefields of Europe. On Sep- House was built by Thomas Acton II tember 25th 1915, Charles, while (1665-1750) in 1697 to the design of trying to assist a fellow soldier, was the noted Irish architect Sir William mortally wounded by an explosion at Robinson (1643-1712) who’s most Loos. His brother, who then inherited noted work is the Royal Hospital Kil- Kilmacurragh, was killed at Ypres just mainham. eight months later. Thus in just eight Kilmacurragh, formerly Kil- years Kilmacurragh had three consec- macurra, is the Anglicised Cill utive owners inflicting death duties Mochurra meaning the church or cell Rhododendrons and Monkey Puzzles by the main estate gates. amounting to 120% of the value of the of Saint Mochorog, an English saint estate. By the 1920s the Acton family of royal birth who established a had left Kilmacurragh, by the late monastery on the site of the present 1940s the house was vacated and the Chinese garden in the early 7th cen- arboretum, once the finest in Ireland, tury. It was from stone salvaged from was left to its own devices and slowly the ruins of a 13th century abbey that grew into a wilderness. Thomas Acton II built Kilmacurragh The National Botanic Gardens, House. This perfectly proportioned, Glasnevin had always retained an five-bay Queen Anne style mansion interest in Kilmacurragh because of was one of the first unfortified the estate’s historic ties and the houses of its time in County Wick- arboretum’s luck took a turn in 1996 low and is one of the few remaining when it was purchased by the Irish (albeit in a ruinous state) early pan- State to be used as an annexe by elled houses in Ireland. Glasnevin. Thus Kilmacurragh By 1712 the formal Dutch-style became a sister garden to Glasnevin Landscape Park and outer Deer Park and part of the National Botanic Gar- were completed and elements of this, dens of Ireland. such as great avenues, vistas and the Since 1996 the collection has been ruins of a pond side summer house, saved from near loss by removing a survive in the present garden. A Californian giant redwood on the Pond A view of the Queen Anne House from the 7th century fish pond. Vista. crippling tangle of cherry laurel, Thomas’ eldest son, William sycamore and Rhododendron pon- Acton (1711-1799) married Jane Par- ticum. In 2006 a management plan sons of Birr Castle in 1736 and to was devised to take the arboretum celebrate the occasion they planted a into the 21st century. The arboretum two mile long Beech Avenue. A cob- is now being replanted using mate- bled courtyard was built south of the Kilmacurragh rial raised at Glasnevin from various house in 1762. collaborative expeditions to many William and Jane were succeeded parts of the globe, most notably by their second son Thomas Acton III China and Chile. No doubt Thomas (1742-1817) who inherited the estate Acton would be pleased to know that in 1779. His wife Sidney earned pre- Arboretum his garden is now securely in the mia from the (Royal) Dublin Society hands of the Office of Public Works The late 19th century enjoyed a survived to the present day and have by the French missionary and plant for establishing oak plantations oppo- and that Glasnevin continues to use golden era of botanical exploration formed giant trees that give a daz- hunter Père Jean Marie Delavay who site the present estate gates. With this the grounds as a safe haven for and through the Moore family the zling floral display every spring. was actively exploring in western money she bought rare and exotic trees endangered plants. thus laying the foundations of Kil- latest discoveries of these famous Through the nurserymen, Messrs. China during the 1880s and ‘90s. macurragh’s famous tree collection. plant hunters reached Kilmacurragh, Veitch of Chelsea, came the Chilean Following his father’s death in June Lt. Col. William Acton (1789- forming a remarkable collection of (1840s) and Californian (1850s) col- 1879, Sir Frederick Moore continued Seamus O’Brien, Head Gardener, 1855) succeeded to Kilmacurragh mostly wild-origin plants. It was lections of William Lobb. The the role of garden advisor at Kil- Kilmacurragh Arboretum, Kilbride, following his father’s death and dur- through David Moore that Sir Joseph arboretum is particularly famous for macurragh and by the time of Thomas Co. Wicklow. ing his time several rare trees were Hooker’s collections from the its success with his Chilean introduc- Acton’s death in August 1908 the planted in the Arboretum, many of Sikkim Himalaya (1849) reached tions, partially his conifers which arboretum contained the finest private which were supplied by Edward here and formed the basis of what have always remained rare in Euro- collection of rare plants in Ireland. Hodgins, who founded his famous was to become Europe’s most com- pean gardens. Captain Charles Annesley Acton nursery at nearby Dunganstown in plete collection of Rhododendrons Acton also received plants from (1876-1915) succeeded his uncle to 1780. A number of trees supplied to from Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal. the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Kilmacurragh and both he and Sir the estate by this nursery between Many of these Rhododendrons have including Rhododendrons collected Frederick Moore became close 1820 and 1840 still exist and are among the largest specimens of their kind in cultivation. It was in 1854, when Thomas Acton IV (1826-1908) inherited the estate, that the gardens at Kilmacur- ragh became internationally famous. Thomas and his sister Janet 1824- 1906) greatly benefited from the advice and support of Dr. David Moore and his son Sir Frederick Moore, Curators of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin in Dublin. David Moore soon realised that the mild, coastal climate and deep, rich soils at Kilmacurragh pro- vided a more advantageous situation for growing plants from the Himalaya and the Southern Hemisphere and Glasnevin became a major supplier of Captain Charles Acton planted many A family gathering outside Kilmacurragh House in April 1932. Kilmacurragh’s Oak Avenue is the finest plants for the next seven decades. newly introduced plants supplied by in Ireland. Glasnevin. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______9 applicants who had been refused planning per- mission In short, An Taisce appealed only 0.24% of Local Authority decisions, compared to 5.26% appealed by the general public. In many cases, An Taisce’s appeal supported local The Role of An Taisce communities to fight undesirable development in their area. Building houses in rural areas has been a con- Spring Clean, Green Schools, Blue Flags for protection. Over the years, many of its sugges- tentious issue in recent years. Up to about ten By Catherine McMullin beaches, Clean Coast and initiatives in sustain- tions have been incorporated into development years ago, many sites in scenic coastal areas were able transport. Projects are carried out in plans and have helped protect the natural and RECENTLY, the oldest, and one of the sold for holiday homes, and the new buildings partnership with local authorities or other built environment. Decisions on planning appli- largest, membership based environmental had a significant negative effect on the land- organisations and have proven very successful. cations must be based on the policies and organisations in Ireland celebrated its 60th scape. A survey by An Taisce has shown that, in An Taisce’s first President, Robert Lloyd objectives laid down in the Development Plan. birthday. An Taisce, The National Trust for some townlands, up to 80% of the houses are Praeger foresaw in 1948 that ‘carelessness, Local authorities are obliged to consult An Ireland, was founded in 1948 with the follow- holiday homes. Aside from the visual impact, ignorance, selfishness or ruthlessness could Taisce on planning applications in amenity ing aim: ‘The conservation of the physical which is very damaging to the tourist industry, create a conflict between the pursuits of eco- areas or which affect protected structures or the heritage of the Irish nation subject to the com- there are other issues raised by these rural nomic progress and the protection of Ireland’s natural environment. This is probably the most mon good’ An Taisce, translated, means houses, such as pollution from effluent treatment inherited riches.’ Unfortunately, that threat is misunderstood part of An Taisce’s functions. ‘Treasure’ and the treasure to be protected is systems, traffic hazards, cost of providing serv- with us to the present day. He realised that, The organisation can assess and comment on the Irish Environment, its landscape, air, ices etc. It is now generally recognised by apart from ancient monuments, there was no proposed developments (as can any member of water, wildlife, buildings, which all add up to planning authorities that rural houses should be legal protection at that time for other aspects of the public) but cannot make planning deci- Ireland’s heritage. permitted for local people only, with a genuine our heritage. He noticed particularly the disfig- sions, i.e. the right to grant or refuse permission One way to provide this protection is to hold need to live in the countryside. urement of towns and countryside by is confined solely to the local authority and An property (usually donated) in trust for the Irish injudicious development, including ribbon In recent years, the need for sustainable Bord Pleanala. nation. At present, An Taisce holds and main- development along rural roads. development so as to prevent climate change tains 16 diverse properties, including Mongan An Taisce’s right to appeal a planning deci- The introduction of the Planning and Devel- has been recognised. Transport is a major pro- Bog (Co. Offaly) Kanturk Castle (Co. Cork), sion is basically the same as any other objector. opment Act 1963 was a great step forward ducer of carbon dioxide and journeys can be Booterstown Marsh (Dublin), the Boyne Canal There is a misconception that objections are because, as well as regulating future develop- reduced by planning settlements so that people (Co. Meath), 6,500 acres of wild mountainside only permitted from neighbours, who may be ment, it required planning authorities to can live close to work and the services they in Co. Donegal and 34 acres of the Burren, directly affected by the development. In fact, identify landscapes, buildings etc. to be pro- need. The proper planning of an area can lead (Co. Clare). tected. The Act lists certain Prescribed Bodies, anyone may object if a development would have An Taisce represents Ireland on the Interna- an adverse impact on the ‘common good’, e.g. to a better quality of life for everyone. including An Taisce, to provide information to An Taisce’s Central Office is in the Tailors’ tional National Trusts Organisation and, last the planning authority in relation to certain traffic hazard, pollution, intrusion in the land- September, hosted its International Conference scape, etc. which are matters of concern to all. Hall in Dublin but most of the work is done by planning matters. members around the country on a voluntary in Dublin Castle. Delegates came from all over As part of the planning process, a Develop- Exaggerated claims have been made that An the world to speak on the challenges they Taisce has stifled development by objecting to basis. There are local committees in most coun- ment Plan is drawn up and reviewed every 6 ties and membership is open to all. Further faced, particularly in the light of climate years. The public are invited to make submis- large number of planning applications. In the information may be obtained on the website, change and sustainability. sions and express opinions on how their area year 2004, Local Authorities dealt with 87,547 www.antaisce.org or by telephone 01-4541786 Education obviously plays an important role should develop (or not develop!) in the future. planning applications, of which 4,810 were in environmental protection and, in 1993, An An Taisce finds this is a very good opportunity to appealed to An Bord Pleanala. 206 of the Taisce set up its Educational Unit to initiated a request changes that give better environmental appeals were made by An Taisce and the rest Catherine McMullin is a member of An variety of projects, including the National were made either by the general public or Taisce in Killorglin, Co. Kerry.

An Roinn Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe Teileafón: 091 503700 agus Gaeltachta Facsuimhir: 091 503750 Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Glao Áitiúil: 1890 201 401 Web: www.pobail.ie Na Forbacha, Gaillimh E-phost:[email protected]

Ag obair ar son na nOileán

Ag maoiniú seirbhísí iompair, oifigigh forbartha pobail agus oibreacha infreastruchtúir ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta.

Working for the islands

Funding transport services, community development offices and infrastructural works on the offshore islands.

10 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Photos: © Pete Atkinson Photos: © Pete

Cocos (Keeling) lagoon at uninhabited Direction Island at the north end of the atoll.

North of Horsborough Island at the north end of the lagoon is one of the richest dive sites, "Eden". Here the coral slope is covered with sea fans and has big schools of fish. Cocos (Keeling) – Paradise Found

hundred Cocos Malays, origi- nally brought in by John Clunies-Ross in the nineteenth century to work the copra (dried coconut flesh) planta-

Maps courtesy of CIA-WFB tions. Most are Muslims and they have a fascinating cul- ture, a mix of Malay and Scottish. Although Queen Vic- toria gave the islands to John Clunies-Ross in 1886 in per- petuity, the Australian government managed to force his descendent, John Clunies- Ross to sell the island to Cocos (Keeling) Islands are located in the Indian Ocean, halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia in 1978 for A$6,250,000. gos Archipelago in the Indian (Keeling) is a small, forgotten Through yachtie friends we By Pete Ocean and the second best atoll, halfway between Perth contacted the owners of the place was Direction Island in in Australia and Sri Lanka. By dive business on Cocos Atkinson Cocos. You can only get to quirk of fate it belongs to Aus- (Keeling). After much corre- Chagos by boat, but Cocos tralia. spondence we agreed to look I MET a yacht in Cocos has regular flights twice a The largest island on the after their house, a duck, four (Keeling) and the people week. But not many visitors atoll rim, West Island has 120 cats and a pigeon for seven Coconut crabs, Birgus latro, are very rare in Cocos (Keeling).This one aboard said that the best place take them; not much more Australians; on the windward weeks. Meanwhile, they was photographed at nearby Christmas Island (900km away) where on earth was uninhabited Cha- they are protected and common. than a dozen a week. Cocos side, Home Island has a few would visit Cairns and live in

Horn-eyed ghost crab, Ocypode cerathopthalma frequent all the sandy beaches and live in burrows in Batfish, Platax orbicularis, school over the reef slope outside the lagoon at Cocos (Keeling). the sand. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______11 Photos: © Pete Atkinson Photos: © Pete

Pete Atkinson

Cocos (Keeling) is beautiful, Manta ray, Manta birostris at 40m outside the lagoon. fascinating and has a couple of flights a week. So what are you waiting for?

Pete Atkinson blames Sherkin Island Marine Station This is the usual amount of traffic on West Island, population 120.You might think that road signs such as director Matt Murphy for his this are unnecessary where there are so few cars. idyllic lifestyle. Thirty years lagoon. Depending on the tide sary signs telling people their they only wore them the days ago, during several visits to this clear water is travelling taxes has paid for this slipway, the policeman from West Sherkin to take underwater from zero to four knots. or they were entering the Island was on the island. photos, Matt encouraged and (Which means that finning as cemetery, a beautiful, quiet Trade-winds blew many inspired Pete enough that he fast as possible, you can easily spot at the north end of Home days, 15-25 knots clattering bought an old yacht and go two knots backwards!) So Island where many of the Clu- through the palms. It rained sailed off to the Pacific, where you walk along the beach, nies-Ross family are buried. I some days. But we were there he spent 20 years sailing, leap into the gully, get swept kept wishing the island for the few perfect days when Black tip reef sharks, Carcharhinus melanopterus hunt in very shallow writing and shooting photos water along the edge of the lagoon. along past sharks, coral, a belonged to the descendents we could shoot pictures under huge barracuda, bump-head of Clunies-Ross who still live ideal conditions. Nature, left in beautiful locations. More our house for two weeks. crystal clear water, clean sand parrotfish and end up in the there, or to Malaysia, or to its self, is often perfect, and recently, Pete married the After a week on Christmas and small islands clustered lagoon. Swimming cross-cur- France... On Home Island sits comfortably in harmony Thai photographer Darin Island 975 km to the ENE, we with palms just like in car- rent takes you to shore where where the Cocos Malays with the soul. To coexist Limsuansub and they arrived on a plane that looked toons. As so few visitors make you can do it all over again. lived, most got around on peacefully with nature we currently live in Cairns, like a child’s toy at Cocos the effort to get there, you can It’s a blast! ATVs, those four-wheel farm need to deface it as little as Australia. You can see more of (Keeling). The atoll is about 9 have an island to yourself any West Island, where we bikes. The few roads are good possible and avoid state spon- their work at km across and has 24 islands day of the week. lived, is 16km long. We had but Australian law dictates sored graffiti in the form of on the rim, of which only two Direction Island at the north www.peteatkinson.com and the use of a car, so we they must wear crash helmets, signs for everything. www.darinimages.com are inhabited. The south end end of the lagoon is used for explored all we could. The as you must on a bicycle. But Nowhere is perfect, but of the lagoon is shallow, but camping and day trips. The beaches had horn-eyed ghost the north is deeper and has ferry calls in there twice a crabs, Ocypode ceratoph- great diving. Apart from week. It has safe swimming in thalma, higher were wrecks, old cannons, pieces of the beautiful lagoon, and the Coenobita hermit crabs. Black the old telegraph station, best snorkelling from the tip reef sharks hunted in the there’s a resident dugong shore anywhere. “The Rip” is shallows in the evenings, their called Kat, manta rays and lots a deep gully of ocean water black dorsal fins cutting the of sharks. What I love best, is constantly pouring into the surface. Land crabs, Cardis- oma carnifex, lived all over and were the most common road-kill. Coconut crabs, Bir- gus latro, common on Christmas Island are very rare on Cocos, as are many seabirds, eaten to virtual extinction. Local guidelines claimed Tridacna clams were protected; however we found huge piles of newly opened shells in the southern part of the lagoon. Traditional prac- tices are simply unsustainable with larger populations with better equipment like out- Darin Limsuansub snorkelling near Prison Island in the clear ocean water coming over the reef. board motors. In some ways Cocos (Keel- ing) felt like a microcosm of the world; what’s the point of saying “Take only what you can eat” when we are creating too many people for the world to sustain? The island has trade-winds blowing much of the year, and endless source of power. There were four wind turbines, two erected, none working. You might think that so far from the real world, you might escape the idiocies of bureaucracy. Some govern- Empty clam shells, Tridacna maxima which are supposed to be protected in Cocos (Keeling). ment department managed to erect many ugly and unneces- 12 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 in pots and baskets; crab and whitethorn By Daphne Pochin Mould quick, with upwards of three hundred different, kinds of flowering shrubs and WE forget. So many new materials, so many evergreens. As he has a greater ways of making things, so much that’s novel assortment of these than any in this and exciting. At the end of World War II, nylon province, and a vast array of other stockings were an almost priceless gift. Go articles he apprehends he can sell upon back a hundred years and such things were the most reasonable terms. N.B. He has undreamed of. Back in time, into that most just imported from London and Holland, colourful, fashion conscious 18th century and new garden seeds, flowers roots &’c. fabrics were all of natural fibres: wool, hair, silk, flax, hemp, leather, furs and fleeces, Timber February 12, 1770 ostrich plumes etc.. And timber – wood – was And for information on how to grow all involved everywhere. these things, James Garton had just published Step back in time, into the pages of Cork’s “The Practical Gardener, and Gentleman’s first newspapers, the “Hibernian Chronicle” Directory”, which included the Physic Garden, (from 1769) and its continuation the “Cork and the management of vineyard, Pine apple, Mercantile Chronicle” (from 1800). It greenhouse and hot house. It cost 3s 3d and describes how every day a multitude of sailing would have been a big volume. ships came in and out of Cork Harbour, having The 6 inch to the mile First Edition Ord- sailed the world and carrying cargo from near nance Survey maps show numerous, and far. Cod fish and blubber came from New- “Osieries”, “sally gardens” where willow foundland, garden bulbs and flower roots from was grown for rods to make baskets and Holland, and from elsewhere, wines and rum, twigs for barrels (to make them water tight tobacco, tea and coffee, oranges and lemons, and to secure the joints). “Twig gardens” and timber – always timber. At that time, all the appear frequently in advertisements and ships were made of wood and always had been seven town houses in Cork city had gardens since the first young fellow straddled a floating AUCTION OF QUEBEC STAVES and “orchards in full bearing”. Field and gar- log and found he could guide it along a river. den mingled with the increasing number of The best of wood, old and seasoned, is needed John Cogan will sell at Auction on new houses. to build a big ship and many oaks are needed to MONDAY NEXT, at the Custom House make a battleship, as the old English song Quay, “Mr Dunscombe will this Year, sell the, boasted: “Hearts of oak are our ships, Jolly tars FRUIT of his Orchard, at Carrigrohane 8000 Puncheon Staves are our men”. By the 18th century, with the and Mount Desert” oceans crowded with the big mercantile and 1000 Ditto Hogshead June 24 1784 naval fleets of the European and American Terms at sale The nurserymen sold farm seeds and the nations, timber was then like oil is today – January 27, 1815 cowslip is included in some pasture mixtures. likely to run out. Even one British admiral And some landowners were making very large planted an acorn wherever he could, but even- DRAM TIMBER & DEALS plantations. tually it was steam and iron ships that would In the 18th century the oceans were crowded with fleets of mercantile and naval ships and timber was John and Joshua Carroll are Landing save the day. then like oil is today – likely to run out. CHEAP PLANTING TWO CARGOES Then Cork was a city of coopers, maker of MICHAEL Murphy thousands of barrels. The narrow wooded laths, packed in good, strong, substantial They have oak, elm FIT FOR MILL AND For Gentlemen who intend Planting which make the side of a barrel, are called Tierces of Barrels full wood bound and SHIP BUILDING Nurseries of their own, he has several “staves” and were imported by the million. trimmed, with six good and substantial July 15, 1805 millions one and two years seedling Cork’s great butter market, drew its supplies iron hoops on each. Tierce and four on along the “Butter” roads of Munster. The each Barrel – to be delivered to these The 18th century was the time of the great Larch Fir Beech mountain farms of Cork supplied Australian stores in the space of two months. gardens on the great estates and of the eager Spruce ditto Birch tables with butter that was rigidly graded, November 9, 1812. introduction of new species. To Ireland came Scotch ditto Alder checked and exported in wooden casks. These the lovely spreading Deodar cedar; the long, Salt beef was equally carefully packed and to were not any old casks, but ones checked by lanky Wellingtonia (a redwood), named for the Silver ditto Sycamore last at least a year. Salt was the universal pre- inspectors sworn in for the job. The specifica- military here of the day; the gaudy rhododen- Balm Gilhead do Apple and servative of meat and fish. Cork had its own tions for the butter casks were: drons, very much the invader of the new land, Oak Thorn, Quicks &c&c salt pans making it from sea water but also “Whereas by several Laws in relation to suppressing all else; and the elegant fuchsia imported large quantities. Having grown them on a very large scale Butter and Butter Casks, it enacted that no from South America, which has become more The city also imported mahogany for cabinet this year, he can offer them considerably Person shall make, buy or sell any Butter Irish than the Irish themselves. makers and the like, and timber of all kinds was under former Prices. Printed catalogues Cask, or shall make up or pack Butter in Of the ancient, natural Irish woods only needed for the gentry’s carriages and farm of which may be had. any Cask for sale, unless each Cask shall place names remind of what has been lost. carts. Tree felling went on fast enough, with the be made of good seasoned Oak, Ash, Where are the oak forest of Derry and the yew careful saving of the bark for the tanneries. CONTRACT PLANTING Cycamore, Beech, Bird, Willow or Sally, woods of Youghal? Mankind indeed is very whereof no part to be Big-timber and destructive of trees, often without a thought of Being, often applied to by Gentlemen to made tight to, hold pickle, with head and TO BE SOLD AT CASTLE OLIVER replacement. plant by the Acre, induced him to establish bottom equally dooled, and set to the FIR, ASH, OAK, ELM, BEECH AND But in the 18th century there were large a NURSERY in a very exposed situation cross with twelve good fresh sufficient BIRCH TIMBER of superior quality and nurseries at Cork, and the by the Mile Stone on the road to Hoops on each Cask, well twigged with Ballincollig, that the trees may bear on moderate terms. Purchasers of large “nobility and gentry” as well as ordinary good fresh Osier Twigs, under the Penalty removal to the most bleak situations – quantities will meet good encouragement folk could get planting, both for of five Shillings for each such offence.” thus, with his very extensive Assortment of and Gross Timber delivered. N.B. A Man landscaping and as a crop. Farmers May 6, 1784 Forest Trees of every size and age, will who understands the saving of Bark, and enclosed more and more land, making who can be well recommended wanted. enable him to execute orders on the very Cork was the great slaughtering house of fields hedged with “quick” (hawthorn, best terms. Munster, killing great numbers of cattle. Application to Castle Oliver wood, or blackthorn) and also furze. Here for “Wanted by the Committee of Merchants, JOHN FITZGIBBON, Mallow Lane. instance is GARRET AHERN, Nursery N.B. The most careful Men employed in and Seedsman, Cats Lane, Cork who a few trusty Persons to remain at the April 25 1719. Planting and no money required until the different Avenues of this City, during the “aquaints the Nobility and Gentry, that whole is planted. he has for sale at his nurseries, a choice Slaughtering Season to ascertain the CORK WOOD TO BE SOLD BY Cork. Castle – street. Sept 11, 1815 number of Cattle daily drove to market, by collection of the following articles, AUCTION at Jennings and Bickerton’s peach, nectarine, apricot, almond, which their time of standing previous to Stores, Coal Quay at 1 o’clock on So new woodland was being established, killing will be known.” plumbes, cherry, and pear trees, formed even if most of it is now gone. Timber was the Monday, 12th instant. About 13 tons of to the walls and standards; dwarf, cyder November 7, 1796. very fine Cork Wood. Just landed out of basis of life and trade. The wooden ships and table fruit, apple trees, English, made settlement of new lands, trade and war- Most of the meat was salted down in wooden the HOPE from Oporto. Terms at sale and French, Dutch and Irish fethere elms; fare possible. When people began to explore barrels and exported. The naval Victualling Earnest required. oak, ash, beech, walnut, chesnut, the great ocean of air above us, wood took Office in Cove [Cobh] advertised for the sup- March 1810. hornbeam, quickbeam, sycamore, them there. Even early aircraft were “rag and ply of: (Presumably this cork made stoppers for plananist, birch, alder, popular and lyme stick” framework of light strong wood, with a Eighteen Thousand Pounds of Salted beef the glass bottles into which the many trees; European and America silver fir, fabric covering. suet. The said Suet to be good, sound, barrels of fine French and Spanish wine black, white and red spruce ditto; Scotch, sweet Suet of this Season’s cure, to be would be decanted.) larch and Weymouth pine ditto; arbutus’s SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______13 cial role in eroding a certain ing to age these fish when I amount of gravel and cobble returned to the laboratory. from river banks, which When I examined the scales I Photos: © CFB deposit out in riffle areas, found that every scale from Floods and Fishes replacing material which has every fish were what biolo- been washed downstream. gists call “replacement Without this “top up” system scales”– if a trout or salmon many riffle areas would cease looses a scale they grow a new to function as salmonid or replacement scale. How- spawning areas. ever the growth pattern The movements and distri- recorded on the original scale bution of fish in rivers and is lost and the replacement lakes can be influenced signif- scale cannot be used for age icantly by flood events. In analysis. This discovery made Irish lakes, following a major me realise that fish living in flood event, large numbers of torrential streams, like the trout will, temporarily, leave Shrah River, are “battered and the lake moving into flooded bruised” during flood flows. callows to exploit new feeding In contrast, it is unusual to opportunities. Once lake shore find any replacement scales areas flood some of the earth- on trout living in lowland worm population wriggle to spring fed channels in the the surface, drown, and pro- midlands. vide a feast for the trout. The Some years ago there was a fish will of course consume very extreme localised any other unfortunate crea- thunderstorm in the tures such as slugs and snails Owenmore Catchment in that have the misfortune to be County Mayo. Some minor The Clare and Abbert rivers confluence point west of Tuam. caught up in the “Tsunami”. I tributaries were “blown out” have even observed Irish lake by this event with thousand of trout feeding on newts that did tonnes of rubble, gravel and ago. So, quite clearly, the fish song says – “old man River, the “ecological drivers” in our not “retreat” quickly enough silt being dumped out on the By Dr Martin have evolved to cope with just keeps movin along” – this freshwater systems. Once in the rising flood waters. flood plain. The following day even more extreme condi- is indeed a truism. Floods play there is a plentiful natural sup- Flood events in rivers sig- thousands of young trout and O’Grady tions. a crucial role in maintaining ply of these materials in rivers nificantly alter the distribution salmon were found dead, It is worth examining the this continuum. How? and lakes then a rich flora and of trout. I first realised this, as scattered over the flood plain THE unprecedented floods impacts of floods on fishes at While much flood water runs fauna, including fish stocks, a child, while fishing on the – an unexpected bonanza for in Ireland last autumn caused several different levels. off as surface water to the sea will be present. Recent River Fergus during a big the local seagull and grey a great degree of hardship for Firstly, in morphological a significant proportion of research by the Fisheries flood. At the time I could not crow populations! This was families in many parts of Ire- terms, flood events were obvi- rainfall seeps down into Boards has shown that, in access my usual haunts the only occasion in a long land. Many anglers, reflecting ously crucial in the first place groundwater reservoirs and/or some stream catchments , up because of high water levels. I career as a biologist that I on the floods, are wondering in forming the river basins is retained in the soil, particu- to 90% of the phosphorous was largely confined to dan- witnessed significant fish how our freshwater fishes that we have today. Over mil- larly in peat land areas. It is load from the stream, over the gling my humble worm in mortalities following a flood managed in these extreme cir- lennia major floods would the gradual release of these course of a year, can be dis- backwaters (flooded cattle event. It is noteworthy that, cumstances. have scoured out channels water supplies, subsequently, charged downstream to a lake drinking areas).To my aston- today, despite this event, the In reviewing the impacts of across the countryside form- back into river channels which in as little as a five-day period. ishment I caught large Owenmore is still a high floods on fishes it is worth ing the rivers we have today. maintain summer water levels Surprise, surprise the five-day numbers of trout in places quality salmon fishery. remembering that our native So, clearly, flood events were in our channels and ensure the period in question coincides which I knew would be “bone Floods must be regarded as fishes, Atlantic salmon and crucial in creating suitable survival of our fishes. with the largest flood event of dry” in low flow conditions. a natural phenomenon – a part Brown trout, successfully col- habitat for our fishes in the Minerals, particularly cal- the year – clearly flood flows These trout had been feeding of the hydrological regime in onized and have lived in Irish first instance. cium, and nutrients, especially have a critical role in “driv- on earthworms and other this part of the world. They rivers since the last ice age, As the old Paul Robson phosphorous and nitrogen, are ing” our aquatic ecosystems. grubs which had been have helped to shape the land- some 10,000 to 15,000 years Floods are particularly “ripped” from the banks dur- scape, feed our aquatic valuable to salmonid fishes in ing the flood – an unexpected systems with minerals and terms of reproduction. How? feast for the trout and the nutrients, ensure the continu- Both salmon and trout lay angler. ing availability of salmonid their eggs in the loose gravel In very spaty, high gradient spawning areas and provide WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT deposits in shallow riffle channels flood flows can occasional “feasts for the fish. areas. The cobbles and gravels physically damage and some- On balance they are both an on river beds are not a perma- times kill significant numbers intrinsic and valuable feature nent fixed feature of the river Is your company of trout. I first realised this as of our aquatic ecosystems. bed. While the downstream a young biologist while carry- mobility of these materials is interested in ing out a fish stock survey on variable, depending on the Dr Martin O’Grady, Senior the Shrah River – a stream gradient and hydrology of par- Research Officer, Central advertising in which “tumbles down” the ticular rivers, this Fisheries Board, Swords mountain in Lough Mask on phenomenon is evident in all Business Campus, Swords, its western shore. I took scale catchments. Floods play a cru- Sherkin samples from 30 trout intend- Co. Dublin. www.cfb.ie Comment?

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www.sherkinmarine.ie Gillaroo Trout. 14 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Focus on Environmental Enforcement in Ireland 2006 – 2008

By Cormac MacGearailt THE EPA recently published its ‘Focus on tion we would not see many of the environmen- Environmental Enforcement in Ireland’ report tal outcomes highlighted in the report. covering the years 2006 – 2008. This is the Examples of some of these positive environ- second such report from the EPA’s Office of mental outcomes are as follows: Environmental Enforcement. It assesses Ire- 1. WASTE land’s enforcement of environmental standards All municipal waste is now landfilled in and highlights the challenges we face as a lined cells with gas and leachate collection. country in complying fully with European air, Odour complaints from waste transfer stations Figure 1.1: The national enforcement approach. water and waste legislation. It covers the envi- licensed by the EPA are down by 66%. ronmental enforcement activities of local 2. WATER The EPA adopts and promotes an prosecutions in this area. authorities and the EPA. There was a reduction in the number of enforcement approach best represented by Industry: Following the introduction of The report shows that the amount of environ- water monitoring stations seriously Figure 1.1. This strategic approach involves IPPC licensing in 1995, total pollutant mental legislation has increased dramatically in polluted by 10 – from 39 stations to 29 a combination of enforcement tools to emissions from the pharmaceutical/ recent years, and it is being matched by a sig- stations. manage compliance with environmental chemical sector2 to the year 2007 decreased nificant level of 3. AIR legislation and deliver outcomes for the by 59%. enforcement activ- Air quality monitoring for Ireland indicates environment. The public play a significant part in high- ity. This level of good compliance with current EU and Enforcement tools comprise supporting lighting risk and are a vital source of regulation is a national air quality standards. measures (below the surface) and visible meas- information for regulators. Almost 70,000 driver for improved Emissions from power stations have fallen ures such as sanctions and national reports complaints came to local authorities last year enforcement and a in the period 2001-2007. Sulphur oxides (above the surface). The tools are selected and across the spectrum of environmental issues. cleaner environ- (SOx), nitrous oxides (NOx), and heavy applied on a risk basis. This shows the level of public awareness of ment. As a country metals emissions have all dropped. Supporting measures include activities environmental issues, and a willingness to take we have less pollu- 4. LARGE INDUSTRY such as audits and inspections, emissions mon- action on the environment. tion entering the Complaints received in 2008 relating to itoring, and complaint investigations. These The increase in legislation and enforcement environment; and large industrial activities were down by ~ are complemented by guidance documents, activity also drives new approaches to the tasks without this regula- 60% on 1998. meeting with licensees, residents, NGOs and of monitoring and enforcement. For example business groups, and network events. the EPA now uses risk-based approaches to Administrative sanctions are generally enforcement. This means we align our used to secure compliance as a result of audits resources to where they are needed most. and inspections, including warning letters, Additionally, the EPA’s drive for higher stan- enforcement notices and directions. In 2008 dards and better use of enforcement resources the EPA issued in the region of 450 administra- has resulted in Ireland becoming the first EU tive sanctions and local authorities issued over member state to have comprehensive inspec- 10,000 in the same period. tion plans across all local authority areas. Criminal sanctions are pursued where seri- A continued emphasis on risk assessment ous non-compliance is detected or inaction and the prioritisation of available resources persists. Criminal sanctions consist of sum- will be required to deliver intermediate and mary prosecutions at the District Court, long-term environmental outcomes for Ireland. prosecution on indictment at the Circuit Court, This emphasis will necessitate sustained infra- and High Court injunctions. The EPA has pros- structural investment along with collaborative ecuted over 150 cases at District Court level approaches between regulators and the regu- since 2000 and submitted ten files to the Direc- lated community. This risk-based approach is tor of Public Prosecutions on indictment for all the more important now given the increas- more serious cases of environmental crime ing complexity and volume of environmental since 2000. The number of local authority legislation at a time of reduced or negative criminal sanctions reported has also increased, growth in the economy. with over 770 cases initiated in 2008. Finally, future EPA reports will assess the The statistics in this report show that this performance of environmental regulators in approach is working. The Report highlights: dealing with the enforcement challenges iden- Enforcement Actions: The EPA and local tified and discussed in this report. There is a authorities carried out over 130,000 need to close the infrastructural gap that exists inspections leading to 10,000 enforcement between our current waste, wastewater and actions and 750 prosecutions in 2008. drinking water infrastructure, and the infra- Drinking Water: Following new structure required to meet environmental legislation in 2007, the EPA issued 45 standards. Inextricably linked to this is the step legally binding directions to local change in expertise that is required at a local authorities to meet drinking water standards. level to operate and manage these assets along Water Quality: There has been a 20% with improving risk management and pollution decrease in emissions of polluting matter1 prevention techniques. to waters from the food and drink sector The report is available on the EPA web site during 2004–2007. at www.epa.ie/NewsCentre/ReportsPublica- Waste: There was an increased use of tions/ or from the EPA’s Publications’ Office, higher courts (Circuit and High Courts) in McCumiskey House, Richview, Dublin 14 on waste prosecutions e.g. securing High 01-2680100. Court orders against unauthorised waste 1 as measured by Biochemical Oxygen Demand) 2 facilities or submitting files to the Director expressed as a single pollutant index of Public Prosecutions. Air and Noise: Local authorities issued Cormac MacGearailt, Inspector, Office of 1,200 warning letters following noise and Environmental Enforcement, EPA, Johnstown nuisance complaints and undertook 27 Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______15 Birds of the Irish Coastline

effectively from predators, ing ledges on which they are ocean throughout the year. By Jo Kerrigan while the cormorant, another laid. Kittiwakes nest in When they nest, they choose year-round resident, dives for colonies, each bird always steep crags away from the WE have a wonderfully rich fish or stands motionless on unerringly returning to its own mainland, and gather together and diverse birdlife along our rocks for long periods, drying spot amid the confusion, while in enormous colonies where deeply indented and varied its wings, and posing quite shags – very similar to cor- the noise (and, it must be Irish coastline, with something obligingly for the camera. The morants in appearance – admitted, the strong smell) different to attract the keen brent goose, in contrast, only guillemots and razorbills offer make for a dramatic scene. photographer every day of the comes here in winter, when pleasing contrasts in darker Wintertime can bring unex- year. Whether winter or sum- exhausted migrating flocks plumage to the soft white and pected or unusual visitors to mer, rain or sun, it’s an welcome open fields near the grey of the kittiwake. our Irish coastline too, and Sandwich Tern feeding young ever-changing perspective, shore where they can feed and In spring and summer the often wrapping up warmly and and you simply never know rest from their long travels. slim and elegant terns leave braving an icy blast can reward what you will discover forag- Ducks too – teal, wigeon, mal- their sea wanderings and come the photographer. Seawatch- ing among the seaweed, lard – gather in flocks in ashore to nest on sandy ing during a storm can reward soaring over the cliffs, or wintertime, before separating beaches and small rocky islets. you with the distinctive wing building its nest on a safely out in spring to start the season The common, arctic, roseate, pattern of a Sabine’s gull, the inaccessible crag. of nesting, laying eggs, and sandwich and little tern are all white wingtips of a glaucous It’s not just seabirds that fre- raising young again. easily distinguishable from gull, or even the snowy quent our shores: you will find plumage of a rare Ivory gull. many land-based species there The water’s edge is always a one another, but all share the place to watch, be it a sandy common features of slim light You simply never know what too, taking advantage of feed- you will see, and that is half the ing opportunities or simply beach or muddy estuary, since bodies, long pointed wings, here the smaller waders run and an amazing grace in flying pleasure of going out with making use of the updraught camera and binoculars. from cliffs to display their fly- constantly up and down, dodg- and diving for food. They are ing the wavelets and probing vulnerable while on land, Our Irish coastline provides ing skills. Ravens and choughs a rich source of information are particularly adept at aero- the mud as they search for always keeping a sharp eye out food. Timing your visit to for predators like the ever- too, on bird feeding habits, batics, tumbling and swooping migration patterns, mating coincide with the incoming hungry herring gull or greater in sheer delight and calling rau- and breeding. Often the pho- tide will ensure that they get black-backed gull who will cously to each other. The tograph you take can throw Little Tern at nest. closer and closer – a car makes seize any opportunity to snatch south-west of Ireland is one of light on some aspect of avian a useful hide for observing an unguarded egg and make the last stronghold of the splen- behaviour that has been puz- them without disturbance. off with it. did chough with its vivid red zling researchers, or even Sanderlings, ringed plovers Puffins, those enchanting, bill and legs, as here it can still suggest an entirely new possi- and dunlin can be seen, while dumpy little birds who seem as find unspoiled, uncrowded bility, hitherto unsuspected. the turnstone, true to its name, brightly painted as a circus toy, cliffs and headlands on which That’s where quick reactions is always searching through the choose inaccessible cliffs for to forage and breed. Although and an ever-ready lens are pebbles and seaweed, probing their colonies, making bur- normally nesting in inaccessi- invaluable. You simply never with its bill for what it may rows deep into the ground to ble sea caves, choughs will know when bird life is going find. Larger species like oys- raise their young. It’s a fine often make their nest in an old to surprise you. abandoned house or barn, tercatchers, lapwings, curlews sight to see a parent bird head- building high up in the rafters and godwits are easier to spot. ing for home across the sea, its Centre pages by Richard near a convenient exit hole, or And of course the cliffs beak full of tiny fish for the even in a chimney. offer myriad nesting sites for fledglings in the nest. Gan- Mills, who has been The little rock pipit is a local, so many different species. nets, in contrast, are splendidly photographing birds and always to be found flitting from Sometimes you wonder how huge birds, their vast black- wildlife in Ireland and rock to rock, its inconspicuous eggs survive to hatch at all, tipped wings bearing them abroad for over forty years. Arctic Tern brown colouring concealing it when you see the narrow slop- countless miles across the

Roseate Tern Photos: © Richard Mills Common Tern 16 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______17

Cormorants Greater Black-backed Gull Ivory Gull Gannets courting. Birds of the Irish Coastline Photos: © Richard Mills Photography by Richard Mills

Glaucous Gull Brent Geese Redshank and Wigeon.

Sanderling wing stretching. Puffin

Arctic Tern Razorbills Guillemots

Sabine’s Gull Ringed-Plover Turnstone in summer plumage.

Black Guillemot 18 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49

The New EPA Code of Practice for On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems

and installation of conven- wastewater disposal regard- By Margaret tional septic tank systems; less of the type of system filter systems and mechan- used. Unsuitable sites lead Keegan ical aeration systems. to pollution of surface and • Information on tertiary ground water and/or pose THE 2006 census indi- treatment systems. an unacceptable risk to pub- cated that around 40% of the • Maintenance requirements lic health. Any selected sys- population of Ireland lived for the above systems. tem should comply with the outside of the main cities and It is important that home- EPA Code of Practice, towns. Unlike other more owners have the correct which incorporates the re- urbanised European coun- on-site system for their home. quirements of the European tries, around a third of the If not, problems can arise in Standard EN 12566 Small population of Ireland lives in the future, such as contamina- Wastewater Treatment Sys- the open countryside in indi- tion of water supplies, streams tems for up to 50PT. vidual dwellings not and/or ponding on the surface, Installation and connected to a public sewer. which may lead to a potential Maintenance of Wastewater The wastewater from such health hazard. It is in the best Treatment Systems dwellings is treated at or near interest of the homeowner and The homeowner is legally the dwelling by wastewater the environment to install an responsible for the opera- treatment systems often appropriate on-site waste- tion of their wastewater called on-site systems. water treatment system. All treatment system accord- When on-site systems new on-site systems should ing to Section 70 of the such as septic tanks fail to comply with the EPA Code of Water Services Act, 2007 operate satisfactorily they Practice for Wastewater (S.I. No. 30 of 2007). Cor- threaten public health and Treatment and Disposal Sys- rect installation and main- water quality. When the tems Serving Single Houses tenance are critical in Gift Ideas wastewater is not absorbed (2009). ensuring correct operation by the soil it can form stag- Three important aspects of all wastewater treat- nant pools on the ground relating to wastewater treat- ment systems. The home- surface. In such failures, ment for homeowners are: A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Seashore humans can come in contact owner is advised to obtain Site Suitability Assessment relevant documentation A pocket-sized guide, suitable for beginners of all ages. with the wastewater and be A site suitability assessment from the installer/manu- With the help of this book you will be able to explore the exposed to pathogens. Inade- is an assessment of site con- facturer in relation to in- wonders of marine life on the shores around Ireland. quately treated wastewater may lead to contamination of ditions in relation to the stallation and maintenance Price: €7.00 plus €1.00 p&p our groundwaters and sur- suitability for wastewater including ongoing costs. ISBN-10: 1-870492-96-X ISBN-13: 978-1-870492-96-6 Softback 208pp face waters, which in many treatment and disposal. All It is also essential that Published by Sherkin Island Marine Station areas are used as sources of sites for proposed single maintenance contracts be drinking water. It is essen- houses in un-sewered rural renewed. Certification by A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Wild Flowers tial therefore that these areas will require a site suit- a competent person of in- on-site systems are properly ability assessment. This stallation may be required Have you ever wanted to put a name to the wild flowers you designed, operated and needs to be undertaken by a in planning conditions and see about you every day, or while on a walk, or on holiday? maintained. competent person in accor- should be checked with With the help of this pocket-sized guide, you will be able to The EPA recently published dance with the EPA Code of the local planning author- do just that. Beginners of all ages will be introduced to the a code of practice in relation Practice (Consult with the ity. All installation and many common wild flowers found around Ireland. on-site systems for protection local authority for informa- maintenance documenta- Price: €7.50 plus €1.00 p&p of our environment and tion on competent persons). tion should be retained for specifically drinking water. A full site suitability assess- future reference. ISBN-13: 978-1-870492-23-2 Softback 208pp Published by Sherkin Island Marine Station The EPA’s code of practice ment report is required to sets out the following: be submitted as part of an A copy of the Code of • An assessment methodol- application for planning Practice: Wastewater On the Water’s Edge ogy for the determination of permission and in many Treatment and Disposal site suitability for an on-site cases where a house exten- This DVD promises to give children (and adults!) an Systems serving Single Houses wastewater treatment sys- sion is applied. introduction to life on the water’s edge.With hours of (paper edition €10) may be tems and identification of interactive material, the DVD will help you learn about the Selecting a Wastewater the minimum environmen- downloaded from the EPA’s animals and plants in a fun way. Treatment System tal protection requirements. website at www.epa.ie or Site conditions, as deter- Price: €12.00 plus €1.30 p&p. • hard copies are available from A methodology for the mined by the site suitability selection of a suitable on- our Publications Office, Published by Sherkin Island Marine Station assessment, govern the se- site wastewater treatment lection of the wastewater McCumiskey House, system for sites in Available from: treatment system and are Richview, Dublin 14 on unsewered rural areas. Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co Cork site specific. Some sites 01-2680100. Tel: 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 [email protected] www.sherkinmarine.ie • Information on the design may not be suitable for SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______19 Revealing Cork’s Rich Heritage of Wild Flowers

Cork City plant and one more typical of the Mediterranean region, Little Robin (Geranium By John Akeroyd purpureum), which Tony refound in 1969 after it was thought lost for over a century. It occurs IT is Ireland’s largest county, but Cork has at one other place in Co. Cork, on Long Island received too little botanical study over the in Roaringwater Bay, and in recent years Ian years. Its impressive flora, especially in the Green has relocated it in Waterford City. mountains, peninsulas and islands, includes a Other chapters include accounts of the floral substantial element of the Atlantic- and riches of the far south-west, the coasts and Mediterranean-type wild flowers for which Ire- land is famous. County Cork covers rivers, the still relatively unexplored moun- Wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a common tains, and the famous Mediterranean-Atlantic spring-flowering species in acidic woodlands wildflower-rich mountains, moorlands, bogs, in particular. lakes, rivers and wooded river-valleys, old plants. Chapter 15 presents a concise checklist hedgerows, and unspoiled coasts, peninsulas of the conservation challenge for botanists and stimulating, inspiring book – always imbued and islands. Even Cork City itself, despite the decision-makers. Notable rarities and botanical with a strong conservation message – will not ‘Celtic Tiger’ years of urban and suburban specialities are highlighted, such as Strawberry only inform the public about Cork’s rich heritage expansion, remains a refuge for wild plants. Yet Tree (Arbutus unedo), Irish Spurge (Euphorbia of wildflowers and ferns, but also it is bound to casually occurring species and subspecies of Co. Cork has never had a ‘County Flora’: the hyberna), Spotted Rockrose (Tuberaria gut- lead to many new and exciting discoveries. It flowering plants, conifers and ferns recorded Revd Thomas Allin’s The Flowering Plants and tata) and Pale Dog-violet (Viola lactea). This publication is a triumph and sets a new standard since 1745. An extensive bibliography brings Ferns of County Cork (1883) is an indispensable last rare species of rocky heaths, featured on for books about our native wild flowers. together a miscellany of published scientific source of plant records but is only a checklist – the cover of the book, has its Irish headquarters *Wildflowers of Cork City and County. Tony and other sources. There is also a glossary and and it is rare, expensive and out-of-date! in West Cork, including Sherkin Island. Indeed, O’Mahony. Pp. 456pp. The Collins Press, general and botanical indices. The main text Botanists and anybody interested in plants Tony frequently refers to the islands of Roar- Cork. 2009. Hardback. £26.99, €29.99. ISBN brings common and rare wildflowers and their and nature should therefore welcome Wildflow- ingwater Bay: a tribute to a rich flora and to 978-1-84889-020-6. habitats to life, looking at them throughout the ers of Cork City and County*. It is a treasure more than thirty years of recording by young year and providing plentiful detail on topics for both native and visitor to enjoy, and a credit botanists from Sherkin Marine Station. such as their uses for food or medicines. We Dr John Akeroyd has studied the Irish flora to Cork City Council and Cork County Council Tony takes us through the hills, rivers and follow Tony on easily accessible excursions for 30 years. He edited The Wild Plants of who supported its publication. The author and coasts, over slopes, screes and rock outcrops, or such as the public amenity walks along the Sherkin, Cape Clear and adjacent islands publisher should be proud of what they have just to hedgerows, roadsides and waste places, track beds of the old Carrigaline-Crosshaven of West Cork (1996) and is author of achieved, also Matt Murphy of Sherkin Island or around the edges of farmers’ fields. He railway and the Old Cork-Crosshaven railway Marine Station, who initiated the idea and A Beginner’s Guide to Ireland’s Wild at Blackrock; to wetlands and sand or shingle teaches, explains, illuminates, makes useful sug- pressed hard for it to become reality. Flowers (2008). strands along the much-indented coast; on gestions and encourages us to look further. This Tony O’Mahony’s fine book shows how rougher moorland hikes to mountain lakes and wild flowers are important and why we must crags; or along rivers and streams, sometimes conserve them. Knowledgable and enthusias- in woodland such as near Dunmanway. tic, he draws on four busy decades of field Tony’s account of his home patch is partic- botany in his native Cork, and also documents ularly fascinating. Chapter 2 on Cork City, and three centuries of botanical study in the county. Chapter 3 on Cork Harbour, show just how Each chapter profiles a habitat or group of Eli Lilly S.A. – Irish Branch many fragments of natural and semi-natural plants such as orchids, ferns or aliens. Tony habitats survive within the city and its suburbs, takes us around each habitat, pointing out key Pharmaceutical Manufacturers supporting some 570 plant taxa. These habitats wild flowers and ferns, showing us in detail the include rocky places, always good for special places to look and what we might find. He plants, including the city’s many old walls, repeatedly draws attention to little-known Mount Desert Wood on a sandstone escarpment places that would repay investigation. above the River Lee, and limestone outcrops The text is lavishly illustrated with evocative such as Little Island in Cork Harbour, where photographs of plants and (superb aerial shots) Tony discovered tiny white-flowered Dense- spectacular scenery, which greatly enrich the flowered Orchid (Neotinea maculata), well botanical narrative. A checklist at the end Eli Lilly wishes “Sherkin Comment” south of its main distribution in the Burren. includes some 1200 native, naturalized and Stone walls especially are home to a classic continued success.

Eli Lilly S.A. – Irish Branch Dunderrow,

Images courtesy of Tony O’Mahony Tony Images courtesy of Kinsale, Co. Cork Telephone: 021-4772699 Fax: 021-4775152 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lilly.ie

The often gregarious Irish Spurge (Euphorbia Hyberna) is a magnificent adornment to the Irish flora.This beautiful plant is virtually confined to southwest Ireland, where it is of locally common occurrence on Answers That Matter acidic hedgebanks and woodlands margins and flowers in April to May. 20 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 WHAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM RECENT FLOODING EVENTS? the environmental and financial costs of the By Brendan Devlin options investigated did not identify a viable solution, despite the property damage being DESPITE what might be thought from the caused by that flooding. The most recent flood- media reports in November/December 2009, ing in South Galway has prompted renewed flooding occurs fairly frequently in Ireland calls for drainage to be undertaken there but the affecting the lives of many people, in one way environmental impacts of that work would still or another. Hydrologists classify a flood by its have to be addressed. Flooding in the River return period, or the statistical period within Photo courtesy of Central Fisheries Board Shannon basin has again led to calls for it to be which a flood of a similar scale could recur. drained, but the fact there is little fall available This does not mean that floods of a similar between Lough Ree and the Shannon Estuary scale cannot recur in “back to back” years, they makes meaningful drainage of the Shannon can do so and still satisfy the statistical data. impractical. Generally its floods with a return periods of 30 Calls have also been made for an overall years and upwards that cause most disruption “authority” with responsibility to manage river to people in Ireland, but infrequent flooding systems so that flooding could be better con- affecting towns and villages usually results in trolled, it being suggested that there were too more sustained demands for remedial action by many bodies presently involved in responding “the Authorities”, and generates more contro- to flood events with no clear lines of overall versy, than that coming from the more regular responsibility to “manage” flooding situations flooding of large tracts of agricultural land, set down. It is true there are no “River Authori- which is often a frequent occurrence in many of ties” as such in Ireland and that there are a the Irish river basins. number of statutory authorities and agencies Ireland is saucer shaped with mountain areas with inputs to river management activities, e.g. Widespread flooding occurred around Ireland in the winter of 2009. around its maritime rim and with a relatively principally Local Authorities, Regional Fish- flat central plain so that most Irish rivers, rising eries Boards, OPW, ESB, Waterways Ireland, on the inland side of the maritime mountains, occurred along the Shannon river basin. It is Environment, Heritage and Local Government. not surprising then that the scale of flooding These will require a detailed assessment to be Coillte and EPA. However, it is debatable must follow a roundabout route on slack gradi- whether the setting up another authority or ents to reach the sea, giving them sluggish experienced in many parts of Ireland in 2009 undertaken on any future proposals in such was well beyond what had happened in more locations and will reinforce the procedures now agency, as now being called for, would of itself flows and a tendency to easily flood in wet lead to better management of flood events. weather conditions. There are more than 300 recent years where previous flooding events being required by many planning authorities had occurred. for storm water management design to be based There are issues of access and ownership to be areas throughout Ireland known to be at serious addressed since lands adjoining and under most risk of periodic flooding but the effect of this Historically most flood remedial works con- on sustainable urban design strategies (SuDS). centrated on river drainage to alleviate flooding However these new Guidelines, or the use of rivers are privately owned, and issues of fishing flooding varies widely and includes damage to and water rights have also to be considered, if a houses, other property and roads; leads to road of agricultural lands. The 1945 Arterial SuDS as a design tool, will not address the Drainage Act gave responsibility to the Office problems arising where developments have new authority to manage and maintain Ireland’s closures, isolation of houses, businesses and waterways is to be established. Despite the per- farms; causes disruption to services, waterlog- of Public Works (OPW) to design, construct already been constructed on flood plains or in and maintain drainage works on river systems other inappropriate wetland locations. A signif- ceived fragmentation between the existing ging of lands and damage to habitats and can agencies, centralisation of decision-making can instill fear into individuals and communities. where the extent of flood damaged land justi- icant number of residential developments were fied the cost of undertaking a drainage scheme constructed throughout Ireland in locations often result in actions being taken which do not Flooding can be caused by a number of fac- reflect local knowledge or local inputs of what tors but most frequently follows prolonged by the economic return from the lands benefit- where recent flooding events showed they ing from the proposed drainage scheme. Those should not have been built in the first place. might be required on the ground. In recent years rainfall, or rainfall events of high intensity, the setting up of a new authority or agency has which increases run-off of surface water into schemes involved a design extending from How possible remedial actions for these prob- source to sea so the consequences of modifying lem locations might be addressed has yet to be become a frequent response to whatever crisis streams and rivers that eventually can no longer has developed, whereas if existing authorities or contain the increasing flow within their chan- the channels could be properly assessed. Prior considered but the problems in those areas can- to the 1945 Act individual drainage schemes not be ignored. agencies were better tasked and resourced many nels or normal flood plains. Once the ground is of the perceived inadequacies could be no longer able to absorb moisture from rainfall, could be promoted for specific sections of a The design philosophy used in design and river system, such schemes are known as construction of the various Arterial Drainage addressed as effectively and at a lessor overall by either being already waterlogged or when financial outlay on personnel and offices. the intensity of falling rain is too high to allow “Drainage Districts (DDs)” and are still in exis- Schemes undertaken from 1945 to the 1970s, tence in various Counties. However experience and also in the DDs of the 1920/1930 period, Responding to the widespread flooding in absorption to take place, then the time within many urban and rural areas, particularly in Gal- which flooding occurs can be significantly in the 1930s showed that, while the lands assessed possible improvements to channel drained within a DD after completion of the hydraulic capacity by “dredging” with only a way in the early 1990s the 1945 Arterial shorter than would otherwise be the case. Drainage Act was amended in 1995 to allow Blockages in river channels and at bridges due drainage work were no longer being flooded, cursory consideration being given to the envi- flooding was usually worsened on the lands ronmental consequences. Many fishing the OPW undertake drainage schemes to allevi- to debris becoming lodged can also cause flood ate localised flooding, as distinct from only waters to over-spill from channels during downriver of the DD. In effect all the drainage interests suggest that rivers drained as part of work did in individual DDs was to move the Arterial Drainage Schemes took years to drainage schemes for entire catchments as was severe flood events, which may then divert part their previous remit. Since the adoption of the of the flood flows away from their natural flooding onto somewhere else and it was for recover from the damage caused to fishing that reason the 1945 Act was introduced so the habitats and some say they never returned to 1995 amendment, the OPW have prepared channel and onto different and unexpected Flood Protection Schemes for a number of directions. There is a saying that “water finds entire, or arterial, river system was examined to their pre-drainage status, the River Moy being produce an overall design. a case for such comments. With the need for towns where flooding of houses and commer- its own level” and while doing so it may have cial property has been a recurring feature, such disastrous consequences for anything, or any This has relevance for calls for immediate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) drainage works to remedy specific flooding since 1989 for all major infrastructural as Clonmel, Mallow and Fermoy among other persons, standing in its path. locations. Work on constructing flood protec- Many of the recent flooding events followed problems. Regulating flows in streams or rivers schemes, it is doubtful that some of the Arterial without fully assessing the hydrological conse- Drainage Schemes undertaken during the tion schemes is progressing in these locations from those factors being present, as is borne and the Government has committed to continue out by Met Eireann’s statistics for 2009. That quences may only result in shifting the area of 1950/1970s period could have met the EIA cri- flooding to other localities. Equally, construct- teria needed for approval to proceed, if they investment in further protection schemes that year was the wettest on record in some parts of have already been identified. During the recent the southwest, west and midlands, had an ing structures on areas that normally function were to be considered now. as a flood plain during times of rivers over- Recent flooding events lead to calls for reme- flooding on the River Blackwater, the protec- exceptionally wet summer for the third time in tion barriers installed in Mallow proved very a row and heavy rainfall in July, August and spilling their banks can also be a cause of dial drainage works on rivers or in wetland flooding being shifted elsewhere by being dis- areas in affected localities. However, the poten- effective and the residents in Bridge Street, November. 51.2 mm of rain, the year’s highest who usually were badly affected in previous single day’s rainfall, was recorded at Cork Air- placed from its normal storage area. tial effects on aquatic environments and habitats Unfortunately there were several examples of as a result of any such drainage, as well as the flood events, were now kept “in the dry” for the port on November 19th. During the last week first time ever in living memory. The success of of November 2009 the River Shannon reached flood plain displacement causing flooding downstream hydrological consequences have to problems for many people in the recent floods be assessed before any drainage work could be the Mallow flood barriers shows that, over the highest levels recorded by the OPW since time, the OPW program can provide appropri- records began in the 1940s where some loca- throughout Ireland. New Planning Guidelines initiated. Following the flooding in South Gal- requiring “Flood Risk Management” principles way in the mid-1990s a possible drainage ate protection against flooding of properties in tions were 500 mm above those recorded in the urban areas where this recurs. However, 1954, when very extensive flooding also to be considered when building in flood plains scheme to provide an outlet to the sea for tur- are being introduced by the Minister for the lough-based flooding there was considered but since the preparatory planning for these SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______21 schemes is time consuming involving several for the Mallow and Fermoy areas has been stages of design and public consultation, as used for over 25 years to give sufficient time well as an EIS and property/access issues, there for residents in the affected areas to make nec- can be a 3 to 5 year period at a minimum from essary preparations to minimise flooding the time the OPW initiates a scheme before effects on their property. The OPW Flood Pro- actual construction could be commenced. This tection Scheme at Mallow has now overtaken suggests many of the urban areas affected by the need for the Council’s warning plan of the recent flooding may have to rely on some 1980s, and will do so for Fermoy in due course. means of advance warning being provided The early warning system is also being auto- while they await the provision of a flood pro- mated, making use of improved technology not tection scheme for their locality, assuming such available to the Engineers in the 1980s. a scheme can be planned for their locality. There are established procedures in place for In November 1980 the Bridge Street and Spa many years to deal with “major emergencies” Walk areas of Mallow were inundated by a but flooding events typically take time to very rapid rise in the River Blackwater with develop from minor to major proportions and depths of more than 2.5 metres being reached procedures can often be overtaken by events. on the streets in the space of a few hours result- Rivers which regularly flood are major natural ing in substantial losses to house and business hazards, a fact that is often not realised by owners. Fermoy was also badly flooded but those living in their vicinity, or sometimes even had the benefit of Mallow’s experience to allow by “the Authorities”. Considerable investment for premises to be cleared in good time. While has been made by the Office for Emergency there was a history of flooding in those areas in Planning in inter-agency staff training and co- Mallow, the scale of the 1980 flooding had not ordination in recent years and no doubt lessons been experienced since 1946 and led to calls can be learned by all involved from the flooding for preventative action to prevent a recurrence. events of 2009 on how responses can be Following from a meeting between the then improved. While exercises in emergency plan- Minister for the Environment and a local depu- ning can be undertaken on simulated major tation and a subsequent inter-departmental incidents, it is unfortunately true to say that noth- meeting, Cork County Council were directed to ing beats the real thing in finding out how real-life prepare a local plan to co-ordinate the local incidents can be dealt with more effectively. agencies response in the event of future flood- The OPW has published a number of docu- ing along the Blackwater. ments giving advice on flood protection for From previous flood events in the 1960s the householders, business and farming interests Council’s Engineering Staff had gathered con- and for planning authorities which are available siderable amounts of data on flood depths and on www.flooding.ie and many Local Authori- associated rainfall durations and it was clear ties include similar advice on their websites. All that preventative measures were impractical in this is useful and readily available information the context of 1980s finances. Since arterial but may not be reaching those likely to be drainage works by the OPW on the River affected in flood events like those of November Blackwater were not seen as likely for many 2009. It is clear from media reports that some years, if ever, the Council’s Engineers decided people were unaware of the risk of flooding that the Plan would concentrate on providing affecting their property until the flood waters flood warnings to facilitate self-help and were on their doorsteps, and in some cases had mutual aid in the areas likely to be affected. come inside their houses. While we live in the From this the Blackwater Valley Flood Plan information age, it should not be assumed that was developed by the Council’s staff with everyone will constantly be checking their com- assistance from the then SHB’s Chief Ambu- puters and reading Local Authority websites for lance Officer and technical staff from the OPW, flooding updates. One of the more obvious les- Meteorological Service, Department of sons to be learned from recent flooding events Forestry & Fisheries and the Fire Services sec- is that a more structured advance warning pro- tion of the Department of the Environment. cedure needs to be put in place for people living The Plan became operative by mid-1982 and in areas known to be at risk. To be effective relied initially on two flow monitoring stations those procedures must include defined arrange- on the Blackwater located 20 km and 35 km ments for their initiation and for liaison with the upstream of Mallow. These monitoring stations people likely to be affected. were linked to the telephone network and their As it is likely to prove impractical to provide status could be remotely interrogated and they flood protection facilities for all rural areas could also give a warning message to a number affected by recent flooding and it will also be of pre-defined phone numbers. some years before all areas with commitments During 1982 to 1986 a number of daily and for flood protection can be fully attended to, automatic rainguages were installed at strategic advance warning in flood-prone areas becomes locations within the Blackwater catchment. all the more necessary so people get some From the rainfall records it was possible to opportunity to attempt to minimise the effects devise a prediction methodology based on a of flooding on their property. Providing for that combination of previous flood levels and rain- opportunity was the rationale used in develop- fall duration. This enabled the Council’s ing the Blackwater Flood Warning Plan in the Engineers to predict with reasonable accuracy early 1980s. the likely timing and expected levels of flood (Details of the Blackwater Flood Warning events on the river Blackwater that might affect Plan’s development are given in a Paper pre- the Mallow and Fermoy areas. By the time of sented by the writer to a Seminar organised by the October 1988 floods the Blackwater Flood An Foras Forbartha in June 1987 – Bridge Warning Plan as it had become known relied Collapse, Causes, Consequences & Remedial more on rainfall records than on the two moni- Measures – ISBN 1 85053 091 2 ) toring stations, but local observation of the rising river levels was still an integral part of Brendan Devlin, former Cork County the prediction process. The early warning plan Engineer, Co. Cork, Ireland.

We need your support Subscribe to Sherkin Comment See page 2 for details. 22 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 benefit to the local community. Merse (salt marsh), near Caerlaverock. Wigtown Bay is of interna- tional importance as a wintering site for pink-footed

Photos © Anthony Toole Anthony Photos © geese, and nationally impor- tant for pintail ducks and whooper swans. Rare fish, such as sparling and shad migrate through the bay toward their breeding grounds upriver. Waiting for them are the otters that hunt around the estuary. Behind Wigtown har- bour, former fields have been turned into freshwater wet- lands by the installation of Whooper swans and other water fowl on a pond at Caerlaverock sluices to control water flow. Wetlands Centre. While cattle still graze here, the frequent shallow flooding encourages the feeding of waders and ducks. A Visitors’ Room in the County Buildings in the centre Birdlife on the Scottish of Wigtown gives a compre- hensive view over the bay. In spring, breeding ospreys can be watched with the aid of a Solway Coast CCTV link. Continuing around the headland from Wigtown Bay By Anthony Toole Close to the land, and cov- spiders, which are plentiful is the larger Luce Bay, ered by the high tides, are during summer. enclosed at its western limit large areas of salt marsh, A short distance outside the THE coastline of Dumfries by the Rhins of Galloway, a known in this region as merse. reserve boundary is the and Galloway follows a tortu- long, slim peninsula that Whooper swans. Here, the mud has been Caerlaverock Wetlands Cen- ous route from Gretna to Loch reaches down to the Mull of colonised and trapped by tre, which was founded in Ryan. The direct distance is Galloway, Scotland’s most hardy plants like glasswort. 1970 by the Waterfowl and less than 150 kilometres, but southerly tip. In complete The gradual build up of sand Wetlands Trust. This covers the meanderings to north and contrast to the rest of the and silt allows the establish- 1400 acres and is a haven for south more than double this. coastline, this is a region of ment of other salt-tolerant ducks, waders, whooper Around a backbone of low high cliffs. In spring and early species that include thrift, sea swans and Svalbard barnacle hills, the rivers Annan, Dee, summer, upward of 2000 pairs aster and sea spurrey. Where geese. Birds of prey include Cree, Bladnock and the waters of guillemots nest on tiny the tideline has been pushed peregrine, merlin, hen harrier of Urr and Fleet, as well as ledges, competing for space back, grasslands are able to and short-eared owl. In the numerous smaller streams, with hundreds of kittiwakes, develop behind the merse. well-equipped visitor centre, a have filled the valleys with shags, razorbills and fulmars. Caerlaverock was declared CCTV link allows visitors to alluvium. Since the retreat of This is also the only part of a National Nature Reserve in watch the progress of a family the Ice Age glaciers, eleven the Galloway coast where 1957. It is an internationally of barn owls. Pathways from thousand years ago, tiny parti- puffins can be seen. important wintering site for there lead to a series of hides cles of sand and clay have been On the heathland above the ten species of waterfowl that which combine birdwatching carried incessantly from the cliffs, flowers such as sea come here in their thousands. at close range with excellent north, and deposited where the pinks, vetches and sea campi- In addition to waders are views across the varying envi- Wigtown Bay mud flats. rivers meet the weaker sea cur- ons attract many butterflies, whooper swans, pink-footed ronments of farmland, pond, rents. And the process while the nesting birds include geese and pintail ducks. In saltmarsh and meadow that continues, creating an ever- wheatears, stonechats, twites 1957, fewer than 1000 barna- make up the centre. shifting sequence of mud flats and linnets. Dolphins, por- cle geese wintered here. This Moving west from the Nith that extends in some places as poises, seals and otters swim number has now swelled to estuary, further stretches of far as 5 kilometres from the in the waters around the Mull over twenty thousand that fly merse, mud and sand take one land. of Galloway. Even the occa- to the Solway coast from Arc- past Southerness to the more South-east of Dumfries, the sional minke whale has been tic Norway’s Svalbard rocky headlands of Colvend sands of Powfoot face across recorded here. archipelago, more than 3000 and Balcary Point, where the the narrowest part of the Sol- About seven miles to the kilometres away. cliffs provide nesting places way Firth toward the east, at the southern limit of In one small area of merse, for cormorants, shags, guille- Cumbrian coast and the moun- Luce Bay, the Scare Rocks about 3 kilometres long by mots, kittiwakes, razorbills, tains of the Lake District. provide a sanctuary for grey half-a-kilometre wide, wild- fulmars and herring gulls. Buried in the mud are rag- seals, more guillemots and fowl shooting is allowed Continuing westward, the worms, snails, crabs, shrimps some 1000 pairs of gannets. under controlled conditions. coastline recedes again into and shellfish that in turn pro- Beyond are the deeper waters Adjacent to this is an area Wigtown Bay, where, the allu- vide food for large numbers of of the Irish Sea, with the Isle twice as large, which is vial deposits from the Cree and birds. Throughout the year, of Man to the south and the Pink-footed and greylag geese. reserved as a wildlife sanctu- Bladnoch have built up another waders such as golden and coast of Northern Ireland to ary, and from which visitors extensive region of mudflat, ringed plover, lapwing, the west, both clearly visible. are excluded. saltmarsh and freshwater wet- curlew, oystercatcher and dun- On a particularly good day, Cattle graze the salt land. Until the early 1970s, lin can be seen here. These are even the Cumbrian coast and marshes and grasslands during wildfowl shooting and fishing often joined by shelduck, and the hills of the Lake District the summer. This is important, were carried out here without in winter, scaup. may be picked out on the east- as it keeps the vegetation short restriction. The concern of West of Powfoot, the ern horizon. And on these are and so aids the feeding of the local wildfowlers and conser- boundary of the Caerlaverock whole new colonies of birds. geese. vationists, over the National Nature Reserve The edge of the merse is deterioration in the wildlife led stretches along the coast for Anthony Toole, 65, Cheswick the only place in Scotland to the creation of what is now 14 kilometres, past the estuar- Drive, Gosforth, Newcastle where the rare natterjack toad the largest Local Nature ies of Lochar Water and the is found. These amphibians Reserve in Britain. Wildfowl- upon Tyne, NE3 5DW, U.K. River Nith. It then moves hibernate in the sand during ing and fishing are still E: [email protected] south to Carsethorn, before winter, breed in shallow allowed, but under strict con- W: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/ turning back east along a line pools in spring and live on trol, to ensure the bay’s anthonytoole some 6 kilometres out into the beetles, worms, snails and long-term future and economic waters of the Solway. Salt marsh,Wigtown Bay. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______23 Recycling of Waste Fishing Nets

THE introduction of man-made fibres to the marine sector in 1948 created a huge waste problem. Along with the various petro- leum by-products, solvents and acids that has since become commonplace; disposal of fish- Photos courtesy of BIM ing sector generated waste has reached enormous proportions. This waste material includes monofilament gillnet which when used irresponsibly or disposed of by means of discarding/dumping into the sea can cause irreparable damage to marine life and the sur- rounding environment. As an example, in the port of Dunmore East alone, the approximate cost in 2006, of disposal of fishing gear including landfill costs was in the region of €15,000. In addition, landfill operators were and still are increasingly reluctant to take this type of material due to the damage it causes to waste handling machinery. Loading the bales for transport to the UK. In 2006, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board along with the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources and PETLON UK Recy- cling Group initiated a state funded project (W.I.R.E.D.) based in Dunmore East whereby monofilament waste was collected, baled and eventually recycled into various products. PETLON UK had the ability to re- Removing nets from the pier. constitute this material into a range of useful materials for use in engineering compounds being sent to landfill sites. dependent on material quality. Despite a A review of the operation suggests that it number of difficulties encountered, a total of would be economically viable particularly if 6,000kg of nylon waste was recovered from some small charge for transport costs were the industry and successfully recycled into passed on that other waste materials associ- PA35MY coloured grade nylon pellets. ated with the fishing industry could also be In 2007, BIM decided to press forward recycled. The extension of the service offered and build on the expertise gained in the proj- is a very worthwhile initiative, removing as it ect and develop a more permanent and has almost 100 metric tonnes of nylon waste economical transfer centre. A dedicated bal- material which otherwise would have gone to ing centre was set up in Tramore, Co. landfill or have been dumped at sea. There is Waterford and to date a total of 89,000kg of also evidence of a change in attitude to waste nylon waste material has been collected from disposal by the fishing industry when offered the industry with approximately 30% of the a route for recycling, which again is a posi- volume already having gone through the tive outcome. recycling process in recycling plants in the Monofilament netting bales in storage at Tramore, awaiting delivery to recycling facilities. UK and China. This represents a sizeable For more information on this project and the reduction in the amount of waste fishing gear services provided by BIM, visit www.bim.ie 34 full sets of SHERKIN COMMENT Impact Modified Black Pellets (magnified) which can be moulded into products such as cable ties, nylon wheels, sockets etc... still to give away!

Editor’s Comments We have surplus copies of Sherkin Comment to give to good It is important that BIM extend this collection of waste fishing nets to all homes (Nos. 1 – 48). A set is free to anyone who will cover the fishing ports around our coast. If so, it could mean some fishing vessels postage of €15 in Ireland and €20 outside of Ireland. from other countries, such as France and Spain, could also use this facility. There is some deliberate dumping of damaged gill nets off our shores, which leads to ghost fishing, whereby lost nets continue to fish Contact us for further information at: and kill stocks unnecessarily. It is hoped the Irish fishing industry and the Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co Cork. relevant local authorities will row in behind BIM’s innovative project and [email protected] develop it further. Available on a first come first serve basis. 24 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 Dublin Zoo An Illustrated History By Catherine de Courcy, The Collins Press www.collinspress.com UBLICATIONS OF NTEREST ISBN: 9781848890084 P I Price: €20.00/2009 Dublin Zoo that is often hotly debated. It draws on the bible for any business, whether it wants to is a household The Iveragh Peninsula Climate Change and Arctic personal papers of Prof. MJ O’Kelly, the be green or not. The bottom line is that the name in Ire- A Cultural Atlas of the Ring of Kerry Cork Archaeologist who led the archaeo- Sustainable Development tips will help save money and of course land. It attracts logical investigations in 1961, as well as Scientific, Social, Cultural and the environment will gain. The most nearly one Edited by John Crowley & John incorporating the results of more recent telling words in this practical book must million visi- Sheehan Educational Challenges and as yet unpublished excavations. The be quoted: tors annually. Cartographic Editor: Mike Murphy reconstructed quartz wall we see today is Edited by Peter Bates “It is no exaggeration to say that our This book based on the professional interpretation of natural world is in crisis. Climate change traces its his- Cork University Press Unesco Publishing Prof. O’Kelly and one is left in no doubt has dominated the debate in recent years, tory, from its www.corkuniversitypress.ie www.unesco.org that his views prevailed. The authors give but there are plenty of other pressing en- opening in September 1831 to the present ISBN: 97801859184301 a fascinated account of this period and ISBN: 978-92-3-104139-6 vironmental concerns: the hole in the day. In the early years the Zoo had just six Price: €59.00 (hb)/2009 also the counter view of some to those of € ozone layer, acid rain, accumulation of mammals and seventy-two birds. The first Price: 22.00/2009 the Professor. The authors give their un- toxins in the food chain, loss of biodiver- elephant and rhinoceros arrived in 1835, The Iveragh This book on derstanding of various aspects of the mon- sity, loss of topsoil, pollution of seas, with the first lions arriving in 1857 - a pair Peninsula often the Arctic has ument, including how the three ton lakes and rivers and the unsustainable ex- named Natal and Natalie. This began what referred to as the 35 papers in kerbstones for Newgrange were quarried ploitation of renewable, but depletable, became known as the "Irish Lion Indus- "Ring of Kerry" eight sections: at Clogher Head and transported by boat resources such as forests, fish stocks and try", with the sales and swapping of many is one of Ireland's “Ice Oceans and some thirty kilometres by water. The super fresh water. cubs, becoming an important factor in the most dramatic Atmosphere” carving on the many stones at Newgrange The facts are staggering. If the popu- solvency of Dublin Zoo in the 19th cen- and beautiful documents re- are beautifully illustrated in many photo- lation of the whole world were to live tury. Throughout its history the zoo was landscapes. This cent trends with graphs. It also contain a superb photo- like citizens of the UK, we would need constantly threatened by severe economic cultural atlas respect to cli- graph of the winter solstice sunlight three planets to support that lifestyle. If hardship yet the voluntary management comprises over mate change; reaching the burial chamber, illuminating we all lived like the average US citizen, council, visitors and staff somehow man- fifty individual “Biodiversity the innermost recess and its iconic triple we’d need five. We only have one. It is aged to keep it going. chapters and case studies from prehistoric and Ecosystem Services” turns to the bi- spiral. One thing is certain, the book only the poverty in which the majority of In the chapter Radical Change 1980- times to the present day. The editors in ological and ecosystem impacts of Arctic would inspire you to visit the site, if you humankind lives that stops the planet 2000, the author tells how this period was their introduction tell us that "The moun- climate change, with a focus on monitor- haven’t done so already. giving up the ghost right now. But with the most difficult in the Zoo's history. In tains in many respects, are Iveragh's most ing and response strategies. “Community the economics of India and China boom- the 1980s the Zoo had fallen so far behind distinctive features…. The remarkable – Level Impacts and Adaptation” high- ing, it is imperative that something is modern zoo development it was in danger mountain peaks, the valleys, the water lights the direct effects of climate change Islands done to make human life on Earth sus- of closing and without funding could not filled corries, the ice-fretted crags and the on local and indigenous communities; A Survey of British Natural History tainable.” modernise. These years of crisis shone a narrow mountain gaps… are the legacy of “Health and Well-being” focuses on key This book has down-to-earth informa- harsh spotlight on the operation of the a landscape sculpted by ice thousands of By R.J.Berry health issues for Arctic communities; tion and guidance on nearly every page. Zoo, eventually lead to massive state aid years ago." The book combines many dif- “Economic Development and Social HarperCollins Publishers The author does not preach. It is a book of IR£15 million. This funding trans- ferent approaches to understanding the Transformations” examines how society www.collins.co.uk that should be in every school library and formed the Zoo in all aspects, from hous- multi-layered landscapes of Iveragh. It as a whole will respond to a dramatic re- is a must for businesses. ing for animals to facilities for visitors, all uses a range of visual materials to assist in ISBN: 978-0-00-726738-5 (PB) duction in sea ice cover. “Education” interpreting the story of the peninsula, places the crucial need for assessable and of which helped to bring the zoo into the Price: £30.00stg/2009 21st century. This book is a thoroughly wonderful photographs, paintings and culturally appropriate education to gener- I feel in love Water in a Changing World fascinating historical account of this 180 archival material and as well as a series of ate sustainable development in the Arc- with an island The United Nations World Water year old institution. historical and beautiful, newly commis- tic; “Ethics, Responsibility and sioned, maps. The true colour landsat over 57 years ago, Sustainability” asks where the weight of Development Report 3 image of the Peninsula is stunning. The after a week’s hol- responsibility should be for climate Unesco/Earthscan The Burren & The Aran Islands photographs are many and spectacular, es- iday, and 14 years change impacts and response. “Monitor- www.unesco.org pecially the one at Puffin Sound, St. later came to live ing Systems” examines who monitors A Walking Guide www.earthscan.co.uk Finan's Bay with the purple and green on Sherkin Island and manages the rapidly evolving envi- By Tony Kirby banded siltstones of the Valentia Slate with my late wife ronmental and biological and socio-cul- Price: €45.00/2009 Formation. So all are the photographs of Eileen and our The Collins Press tural landscapes of the Arctic. The 35 This report Skellig Michael. The masterpiece of Ken- then 5 children. www.collinspress.com papers each address the above issues in a comes in two vol- mare Lace --the Kenmare tabernacle veil Two more are is- short concise way and are easy to under- umes "Water in a ISBN: 9781905172979 is breathtaking. The industry prospered in land born. Since stand, especially for the lay person. Any- Changing World" those early days I have been fascinated by Price: €14.95/2009 the 19th and 20th century and went into one interested in the Arctic and climate and "Facing the decline around the time of World War I. the history of Ireland’s offshore islands The Burren and change should read this book. Challenges - Case This magnificent book is a wonderful and saddened and annoyed to see them the Aran Islands Studies". The achievement. It contributors include so being depopulated and neglected over the are amongst the Secretary General many people: local historians, academics. years. This book has been a joy to read. It The Three Secrets of Green most distinctive of the UN Ban One hopes at least that every school in the is a wonderful journey through many of Business landscapes in Eu- Ki-moon in his Iveragh Peninsula has this book in their li- the islands around Britain and Ireland. The rope. Limestone Unlocking Competitive Advantage in foreword states brary. The people of the Iveragh Peninsula first chapter discusses various definitions pavement abounds a Low Carbon Economy "It is well known are privileged to have such a book, high- of what is on the island. The author give a in these two re- that water is life: what this report shows is lighting the beauty and history of their area. guesstimate of about 5,000 islands, some By Gareth Kane that water also means livelihoods. It is a gions. They make just isolated rocks. The main ones are some of the finest Earthscan route out of poverty for individuals and listed in tables with area, height and pop- communities. Managing water is essential walking routes in Newgrange ulation – Lewis and Harris is the largest www.earthscan.co.uk Ireland. The au- if the world is to achieve sustainable de- with 220,020 ha. ISBN: 978-1-84407-874-5 thor describes By Geraldine Stout & Matthew Stout velopment." The chapter “The Inhabitants of the Volume 1 has four parts: They are: some of the best trails these regions have Cork University Press Price: £16.99stg/2010 British and Irish Islands: Distribution” Understanding what drives the pressures to offer, assisting those that want to enjoy www.corkuniversitypress.com shows how important the flora and fauna This book provides one with the three walking in these majestic landscapes. He secrets of a Green Business: on water; Using Water; State of the Re- ISBN: 978-185918-431-8 is on an island. Britain’s bird islands are sources; and Responses and Choices. outlines 15 walks, 11 in the Burren and 4 especially notable – some are home to 1. understand the business case: be on the Aran Islands. The walks are di- Price: €19.95 (pb)/2008 proactive, grasp the opportunity, but These issues are discussed in depth in six- 80% of the world’s Manx Shearwaters, teen chapters, with the key messages vided into three grades to help the reader Newgrange is don’t forget you are a business, not a 60% of the world’s Gannets, and 60% of highlighted. There is no doubt that unless to select the walks best suited to his or her the most visited ar- charity; its Great Skuas. Various other records of the water crises worldwide are resolved ability – casual, moderate and strenuous. chaeological site 2. follow the ecological model of wildlife are highlight. [As an aside, the is- they will lead to political insecurity and Each walk has a map with the route, dis- in Ireland. Every sustainability, or where you can’t, be lands of Roaringwater Bay (including conflict at various levels. The report tance and time taken. Walks vary from year around eco-efficient by a factor 10; Sherkin and all the other islands) now points out that the various crises in cli- two-hour strolls to the longer Burren 250,000 people 3. take huge leaps and small steps. have over 640 species – the richest 10 km mate change, energy and food supplies Way, a six-hour walk from Lisdoonvarna come to see this The author sq in Ireland.] The later chapters take one and prices, as well as troubled financial to Ballyvaughan. There is wonderful Neolithic passage has tried to on a wonderful journey to the islands markets are linked to each other and to “commentary” with detailed access infor- tomb, which was structure this around Britain, such as Orkney, Mull, water resources. mation, including geology, flora and constructed some book to give Bardsey, the Isles of Scilly and the Farne The case study volume compliments fauna, history, archaeology and folklore. time between 3370 one the knowl- Islands, and onwards to the islands of Ire- and compounds the analyses provided in Nearly 50 years ago I spent a week of BC and 2455 BC. edge and tools land. We get short but wonderful glimpses the report by taking a critical look at the my honeymoon on Inis Oírr and always Though Newgrange is Ireland’s best needed to cre- of the islands. state of water resources in 23 countries. had a desire to visit the other two is- known ancient site, there are many aspects ate a genuinely The island romantics, of which there These two volumes are most important lands, Inis Meáin and Inis Mór. When I of it that are not clearly understood and green business. are many, dream of wanting to visit many guidelines for the whole freshwater do, this walking guide will certainly be others that are just taken for granted. In The section islands, but there never seems to be crises debate. my companion. the book, the authors present their own enough time. Well, the book should give a “Small Steps” personal interpretation of an intricate story push to realising part of that dream. should be a SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______25 Irish Seaweed Kitchen ing organically, since childhood. She begins the book with a quick guide to the health benefits and culinary uses of seaweed and then goes on to show how to prepare the various species. In the first chapter Stock and Soups, she gives a basic sea and land vegetable stock which can

be used for any recipe requiring vegetable Photo courtesy of www.prannie.com stock in the book. The chapter also features delicious-sounding recipes, from “nettle soup with Alaria seaweed”, to “roasted red pepper and red lentil soup” to “herb and vegetable broth with Duileasc and cheese”. The chapter on Starters and Light Lunches, includes “Memories of Sleabhac”, the author’s wonderful childhood memories of harvesting this seaweed. Sleabhac is described as the per- fect boost to the system and a great way to help the body fight off infection during the winter months. In the chapter Salad and Vegetables, Reviewed by Matt Murphy the recipes “beetroot and sea lettuce salad” and “popeye’s gratin” highlight Sea Lettuce (Ulva the various species, as well as details about cooking with seaweed, this recipe book will lactuca), 100g of which can provide up to 35% IN my early years on Sherkin we collected where and when you can find them. The author take the trepidation out of it. It’s a beautiful of vitamin B12 for adults. What about a basic seaweed from the beach to fertilise our land. publication and would make a wonderful gift seaweed smoothie, with Alaria, banana, also provides nutritional charts/range of values of Believe it or not we also experimented with for anyone interested in cooking with these nat- pineapple and honey to give a great green boost each seaweed. Being a medical doctor, the author ural ingredients. feeding it to pigs – they loved it. However, in in one glass. Other chapters show that seaweed gives sound advice that the book is not intended my 40 years on the island we never used sea- can be used in many other fascinating recipes to substitute any treatment or advice given by weed in the kitchen. This wonderful book, with including breads, cakes, desserts and puddings. your medical practitioner. She also states that if Irish Seaweed Kitchen by Prannie Rhatigan. its many recipes shows what we have missed. If you are unfamiliar with the names of the you are on thyroid medication to consult your Published by Booklink (2009) and available The author is a medical doctor who has been various seaweeds you can eat, the final chapter practitioner before consuming seaweed. online at www.prannie.com ISBN: 978-1- harvesting and cooking seaweed, and garden- “edible seaweeds” has wonderful photographs of For all those who have always wanted to try 906886-22-6. Price: €35.00.

A new publicationlication onon Echoes from Cape Clear A year in the life of an Irish island and its Bird Observatory SHERKIN Tom & Stephanie Green Wren Publishing, 4 Heath Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8JH, UK. ISLAND’S www.echoesfromcapeclear.com [email protected] ISBN: 978-0-9542545-4-4 Natural History Price: €25.00 (inc. p&p)/2009 This book is a wonderful adventure story. It begins in 1961 when sixteen-year-old Tom This new publication is an introduction to some of the wonderful wildlife and flowers on this beautiful Green from England and his two friends volunteered for a two-week stay at the newly estab- island – and it contains much more ..... lished Bird Observatory on Cape Clear Island, southwest Ireland - 7 miles from Baltimore Village and 4 miles from the famous Fastnet Rock. In Chapter 2 he describes his 11-hour journey to Ireland by boat from Fishguard, being too cold to sleep, getting sea sick, travel- ...including a map of Sherkin Island, information on local geology, climate and population ling on the bus to Skibbereen and the various fellow travellers including two live chickens in a cardboard box. Eventually they arrived on the island, staying in the Observatory’s rented house, sleeping PLACES OF INTEREST in ex-army camp beds with ex-army blankets. Cooking on a paraffin primus stove, mostly · The Abbey · Kinish Harbour heating up tins of beef and veg or cooking eggs. As they were there to records the bird vari- · Dún na Long Castle · The Dock eties they struck “gold” with recording Ireland’s first corded Bonelli Warbler. · The Beaches · The Lighthouse Over the next seven years Tom returned often to the island. He gives wonderful accounts · Horseshoe Harbour · St. Mona’s Church of the work that needed to be undertaken to the now permanent observatory, which had been purchased near the North Harbour. Back home in England, Tim became a teacher and during Perhaps you haven’t been to Sherkin Island before, or maybe you’re coming back again, as many the Easter holidays in 1967 brought a group to the island to refurbish the house. He brought people do.This book will introduce you to some of the wonderful wildlife and flowers on this his then girlfriend, Stephanie (a nurse), who was to be his soul mate and heroine. When they beautiful and peaceful island, which lies just 10 minutes by ferry across the busy little harbour of Baltimore,West Cork.We hope the island’s natural history brings you as much pleasure as it brings us. went to the island in late July 1968 for a 12-month stay, he was the first resident warden.

Stephanie was expecting their first baby and the obstetric consultant where she was a nurse ISBN-13: 978-1-870492-38-6 Softback: size 208 mm x 98 mm - 72 pp in Oxford insisted she return in October to have the baby. Somehow I doubt if he would have Published by Sherkin Island Marine Station left her go to Cape Clear if he realised the boat journeys and the work she would undertake at the observatory – to me she was the bravest of women. Order Form Clare was born on 9th November in Oxford and was taken to Cape Clear 5 weeks later to I enclose € ...... for...... copy(s)of the book Only a house without electricity and the only running water flowed intermittently from an open €4.95 spring on the hillside into an old wooden cider barrel beside the house. The Natural History of Sherkin Island, West Cork, An Introduction plus €1.00 I have just given a “taste” of the 12 months of many adventures this young couple spent @ €4.95 plus €1.00 p&p. p&p on the island. It took courage, determination and above all a love for each other to leave city Name ...... life in England and take up the challenges of living on an island, especially over the long win- ter period. Event today, many people that live permanent on island around Ireland’s coast can Address ...... find these long dark winter days difficult. It is a book for everyone, and yes to all those bird- watchers that have been to or want to visit the Cape Clear Observatory, there is much about Telephone ...... Signed ...... Date ...... birds also! A wonderful story of adventure. Order from: Sherkin Island Marine Station, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork, Ireland. Tel. 028-20187 Fax: 028-20407 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sherkinmarine.ie 26 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 JUNIOR PAGES What is Ocean Acidification?

he sea is a complex chemical soup containing proteins, salts and Tminerals – all held in balance or “buffered” between being too acid and too alkaline by naturally occurring chemical reactions. These buffering reactions allow the sea to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the tiny plants living in the oceans to break it down into sugars to feed their own bodies and into oxygen. In fact, the sea is the largest converter of carbon dioxide to oxygen on this planet – many times more powerful than all the plants in the rain forests of South America put together.

When too much carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water (H2O) it converts the carbonate (COÕ) that animals and tiny marine plants use to make their shells to bicarbonate (HCO„) reducing its availability for shell-building. It also releases hydrogen ions (H+) flooding the buffering system and increasing the acidity of the seas. This is what is known as ‘ocean acidification’. In October 2008 a meeting of distinguished marine scientists meeting in Monaco signed “The Monaco Declaration” expressing their concern about ocean acidification. One of their concerns was that ocean acidification could slow down or even stop the process whereby marine animals build their shells. The shells of marine animals are mostly made from calcium carbonate, the same material found in chalk and limestone rocks. Calcium carbonate dissolves in acid. So if the seas become too acidic, then animals (such as the Captain Cockle’s Log tiny single-celled coccolithophore algae pictured on the left or the Copyright John Joyce 2010 wide range of corals, crabs, oysters, clams and shellfish of all Log onto www.captaincockle.com kinds pictured on the bottom right) will find it much harder to build shells and protect themselves.

As yet, the oceans of the world are still alkaline, but scientists have noticed minute changes that show the seas are becoming more acidic. The Monaco scientists believe that this is due to the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere produced by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels such as gas, coal and petrol, although volcanoes – both above and below the sea – produce huge amounts of carbon dioxide as well. To guard against ocean acidification, the human race needs to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide it releases into the atmosphere. You can play your part in this by using less plastic and USEFUL LINKS recycling that which you throw away, by reducing the amount of petrol you use by cycling to www.ocean-acidification.net/ work or using public transport, and by switching to ‘clean’ types of electricity generation such http://bioacid.ifm-geomar.de as wind, wave and tidal power. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_acidification SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______27

lookout for predators and other dangers when they are loudly giving their location Learn about birds with away to any creature that is in earshot. The birds with Photos: © BirdWatch Ireland Photos: © BirdWatch small eyes have to wait BirdWatch Ireland DawnDawn longer until they can see well enough to know it is safe for them to sing. Makes sense Feeding Wild Birds Leaflet when you think about it like Download this leaflet from the Learn about Birds that, doesn’t it? Certain very common section on BirdWatch Ireland’s website at species, such as Wrens and www.birdwatchireland.ie ChorusChorus Dunnocks, are often over- looked in parks and gardens, Learn how to identify the birds in your garden as their very secretive with our Free Garden Bird Charts. Send a SAE habits make them difficult land park or even a well- to hear them is in the twi- to: BirdWatch Ireland, P.O. Box 12, Greystones, to see. These birds have By Niall Hatch wooded garden are often light period just before the Co. Wicklow. very distinctive songs, how- astonished by how many sun comes up. We call this ONCE again BirdWatch ever, and when they birds seem to be involved. natural phenomenon a chorus Ireland is holding its Na- participate in the dawn cho- You might think that you because, to our ears, all the tional Dawn Chorus Day and rus it gives us a chance to BirdWatch Ireland has have a lot of birds in your different species of birds this year it is on Sunday locate them and check just garden or local park, but singing their different songs over 10,000 members and 16th May. This is the day how many of them there are. until you hear the dawn cho- at the same time sounds like has branches throughout when birdwatchers of all It is also often the case rus you honestly have no idea a beautiful choir. As in a the country which ages will set their alarm that the bird species with how many are there. So why choir, it seems to us that organise events and clocks a little earlier than the dullest, drabbest are the birds so busy at this each bird has its own part to usual and go out to listen to plumages have the most outings in your area. Why seemingly unsociable hour, play and its own melody to a morning of beautiful bird- complicated and musical not get your school to and why does the chorus contribute, and it perfectly song. In fact some bird- songs. Brightly coloured and join? Write to us or visit stop once the sun has risen? represents the harmony and watchers will be out conspicuous birds, such as Well, the most important balance of nature and the our website for details: listening at 4 o’clock in the Great Tits and Blue Tits, can thing to every bird is to joys of spring. www.birdwatchireland.ie morning!! demonstrate how fit and make sure it has enough The birds themselves, But what is the dawn cho- healthy they are by showing food to eat. Very early in however, don’t see it this rus anyway? Birds sing off the condition of their the morning, before the sun way at all. The male birds BirdWatch Ireland has two educational web throughout the day, so why feathers, so their songs are is out, the insects and other (and in most species it is the not just listen to them then often quite simple and basic, sites, catering for learning about birds in schools. creepy-crawlies that they male who does the singing) instead of getting up so serving just to identify their like to eat are not up and are singing to advertise that early? territory. The dull, shy 0 about yet, and it is too dark they are defending a certain Visit the Working with Birds web site to You can certainly do that, birds, such as the Wren, for the birds to go looking patch of territory from learn about watching and feeding birds but the most amazing thing can’t do this, so they convey for food anyway. They need other birds and to attract a about the period just before all this information in their to advertise themselves and mate by showing that they Simply go to www.birdwatchireland.ie and go to dawn is the sheer number of complex and vigorous songs, their territories on a daily are fit and healthy and able birds that are singing and and that is why they sound the ‘learn about birds’ section basis, so it is thought that to provide well for chicks. In the high volume of their so pleasant to us humans. they just get most of it over fact, as far as we can tell songs. People who have Perhaps the most famous BirdWatch Ireland, P.O. Box 12, Greystones, and done with at a period they are completely oblivious never before experienced a songbird of all is the when it won’t use up valuable to the sounds of the other Co. Wicklow. full dawn chorus in a wood- Nightingale, a bird that is feeding time. They can then birds around them, and what Tel: 01-2819878 Fax: 01-2819763 only a very rare accidental Chaffinch use the rest of the day for we perceive as beautiful Email: [email protected] visitor to Ireland but that is foraging, perhaps with a bit singing is really just them widespread in parts of of singing thrown in every shouting at the top of their Britain and continental now and again for good voices: “Hey, look at me. Website: www.birdwatchireland.ie Europe. To look at it is noth- measure, just to remind This tree belongs to me, and ing special, just a small plain everyone who’s boss. the rest of you males better brown bird that likes to hide Of course, that isn’t the keep away. By the way, in thick bushes, but when it only day on which you can ladies, aren’t I in good condi- opens its beak to sing it pro- experience the marvel of tion? Look at all the nice duces a song so exquisite the dawn chorus; the birds territory I own. Wouldn’t I that it has inspired poets will be in full voice through- make a great dad?” and authors for centuries. out late spring and early We are learning new The most celebrated song- summer, and the best time things about the dawn cho- ster amongst Irish birds is rus all the time. For probably the Blackcap, a Blackbird example, it has long been drab member of the warbler noticed that some species of family that, because of its birds, such as Robins, Song beautiful song, has some- Thrushes and Blackbirds, times been called the ‘Irish start to sing much earlier in the morning than others. In Nightingale’. fact, it might take up to an hour and a half for birds like If you or your families would be Blue Tits and Chaffinches to interested in hearing the dawn join in the chorus, but until chorus for yourselves, with experts recently no-one knew why on hand to tell you all about the this was the case. A couple birds that you are hearing, then of years ago, however, scien- why not take part in one of the tists realised that it was the free dawn chorus events (open to species of birds that had members and non-members the biggest eyes that start alike) that are being run by to sing the earliest, and BirdWatch Ireland branches their research indicates across the country on 16th May? that this is the case with To find out details of an event songbirds all over the world. near you just visit the BirdWatch Bigger eyes mean better Ireland website at www.bird- eyesight in the low pre-dawn watchireland.ie, give them a call light, meaning that birds at 01-2819878 or email them with big eyes can be on the at [email protected] 28 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49

By Stuart Munro Beetles are EVERYWHERE, they are to be found all over the world; from the tropical rainforests to the deserts and even in the cold BEETLES arctic regions. They live in trees, on the ground (hiding under logs and stones or in the bushes), some live in the nests of bees/wasps/ants and birds, or burrow into wood and some even live in the water of ponds and rivers (but not in the sea). Beetles have a hard outer shell, called an EXOSKELETON, they do not have bones inside them like we do. This limits the maximum size they can grow to; but there are still some very large beetles in the world. As with most insects, beetles have 3 main body sections; head, thorax and abdomen. Most beetles have 2 pairs of wings and can fly, however their wings are usually not visible because they are protected under the hard case which covers their abdomen; this covering is called the elytra and is actually made from the first pair of wings which have become hardened in beetles, these elytra then protect the more delicate flight wings from damage as they run around on the ground – sometimes the elytra are fused together in some ground beetles which are then unable to fly. Beetle Babies or The young beetles (called a LARVA), look nothing like the adult beetles and A W ld are usually not seen by us, preferring to hide under stones or burrow into of Beetles the ground or dead wood where they will change first into a PUPA (quite like butterflies) and then hatch out into the fully formed adult (called an There is thought to be between 330,000 and 500,000 (or more) species of IMAGO). These larvae often look like caterpillars, and quite often eat beetle in the world. New species are being discovered all the time. Try a little different foods than they will as adults. Can you help the Ladybirds find detective work to reveal the identity of just some of these beetles. Answers below. their larvae? Answers below.

a. b.

c.

2. 1. 3.

IN OTHER WORDS... A Coleopterist studies beetles. How many four-letter words can you make from the word:

coleopterist a=2; b=3; c=1. b=3; a=2;

ANSWERS BABIES: BEETLE

trio; trip; trot. trip; trio; We can find 96 four-letter words. Can you ort; tote; tree; tote; ort; t tore; toot; tool; toil; tits; tire; tilt; tile; tier; test; teet; stop; stir; stet; step; spot; spit; sort; sore; soot; solo; lop; slot; soil; sole; soil; slot; lop;

reel; rest; rice; riot; ripe; rise; rite; role; root; rope; rose; rote; sect; seep; silo; silt; sire; site; slip; slit; sloe; s sloe; slit; slip; site; sire; silt; silo; seep; sect; rote; rose; rope; root; role; rite; rise; ripe; riot; rice; rest; reel; find more? Why not make it even harder and ort; pose; post; pose; ort; p pore; poor; pool; polo; pole; poet; plot; pile; pest; pert; pelt; peer; peel; lost; lose; lore; lope; loot; loop; list; lisp;

cite; clip; clop; clot; coil; colt; cool; coop; coot; cope; core; cost; crop; else; epic; isle; leer; lest; lice; lips; lice; lest; leer; isle; epic; else; crop; cost; core; cope; coot; coop; cool; colt; coil; clot; clop; clip; cite; WORDS: OTHER IN

Chaper; g. Soldier Beetle; h. Water Beetle; i. Vine Weevil; j. Green Tiger Beetle. Tiger Green j. Weevil; Vine i. Beetle; Water h. Beetle; Soldier g. Chaper; find as many five-letter words as you can? a. Dor Beetle; b. Stag Beetle; c. Seven-spot Ladybird; d. Ground Beetle; e. Burying Beetle; f. Rose f. Beetle; Burying e. Beetle; Ground d. Ladybird; Seven-spot c. Beetle; Stag b. Beetle; Dor a.

A WORLD OF BEETLES: OF WORLD A (See our list of four-letter words in the box on the left.) SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______29 from the school. As well as being an accredited Discover Primary Science centre Life- time Lab has linked up with

Photos: © Lifetime Lab An Taisce, Sustainable Energy Ireland and Engineers Ireland to offers briefing and training events throughout the year as well as numerous open days linked with national events such as Heritage Week, click on www.lifetimelab.ie for reg- ular updates and events. Due to the high demand for workshops and events, a school tour has been devel- oped where children take on the role of water scientists and go through the stages of water treatment and conservation, identifying how much water Lifetime Lab entrance at Old Cork Waterworks. we use everyday and also what happens when it runs out. Besides providing informa- tion on renewable energy and energy conservation, the centre offers itself as a working exam- ple, with geothermal under Lifetime Lab floor heating, a hydro-powered electricity supply to provide green electricity from nearby River Lee, solar panels running the outdoor lighting and a At the exhibition “How to Save Energy at Home” windmill now installed to gen- Admission to Lifetime Lab is in Cork City erate electricity to pump water as follows - Family €7, Adult as a demo model. In fact 80% €3, Child/Student/OAP €2 or of the required energy is pro- yearly pass for €30. Summer By Mervyn Horgan ment being one of the pillars world. Visitors are then vided form renewable opening - Monday - Friday of Lifetime Lab, great care encouraged to make an envi- resources available on site. By 9.00-17.00 with Saturday and was placed during the restora- ronmental pledge which will operating under Best practice Sunday 11.00-17.00 THE award winning Life- tion in re-using as much of the be on permanent display in the guidelines the electricity con- For further information, time Lab is located in Cork original buildings as possible, coffee dock. sumption has been reduced by please contact Lifetime Lab City’s Old waterworks along almost 80% of the materials After the hard detective a further 36%,similar progress at: Tel -021-4941500 E-mail the scenic banks of the River were reclaimed and the results work, a laneway leads visitors has been made in waste to land- [email protected] Web- Lee. Following a massive are evident as one explores. from the courtyard passing fill and water consumption. www.lifetimelab.ie conservation project the cam- Keep an eye out for the minia- along the way a giant chess- Lifetime Lab is suitable for pus was transformed into an ture steam engines and images board, up to the scientific all interests and offers a wide Mervyn Horgan, interactive visitor centre and of the working conditions of themed playground and sen- range of activities catering for Lifetime Lab, Lee Road, Cork. offers a fun and enjoyable the old employees. sory garden, which provides all ages, perfect for a family Tel: 021-4941500 way to learn about environ- Lifetime Lab will entertain, splendid views across the river. visit or any corporate event Fax: 021-4941519 Email: mental issues and Cork’s inform and captivate. Chil- The main education focus including family fun days, Old Triple Expansion Steam [email protected] Industrial Heritage. dren investigating the of Lifetime Lab is the primary meetings or product launches Engines at Lifetime Lab. As you journey through the interactive exhibits transform school workshop programme and boasts a 1000sq ft. mar- Victorian architecture explor- into environmental detectives, to promote the uptake of sci- quee for BBQ’s and outdoor ing the machinery used in the the mission is to solve clues ence, maths and engineering, events. Keep a special eye out age of steam, the history of the themed around water, waste over 140 schools participate for our new science clubs and old water works is revealed. and energy and to discover each year and they will even science camps which will With Sustainable develop- how daily choices impact our send a bus to collect a class operate throughout 2010.

THE AWARDS November 2009 Cork Better Building Award 2009 - Conservation & Heritage February 2009 Lifetime Lab receives ISO 14001 accreditation (Environmental Management System) December 2008 Finalist National Green Awards 2008 November 2008 Cork Better Building Award 2008 - Tourism Building October 2008 Lifetime Lab receives Vodafone Innovating Government Award September 2008 Lifetime Lab short listed through NTR main private sector sponsor for Chambers Ireland President Award The playground at the Lifetime Lab. April 2008 Lifetime Lab receives Public Service Excellence Award from An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD for schools science programme June 2007 Lifetime Lab chosen as one of five exemplars of on site best practice for the European Shining Example programme. May 2007 Lifetime Lab receives Double Gold from Cork Chamber Green Failte programme for onsite best practice covering themes such as water, waste and energy. November 2006 Lifetime Lab short listed for REPAK Recycling Award October 2006. Lifetime Lab received the prestigious IVCA Clarion Award at the BAFTA headquarters in London for its positive contribution to the modern society through the development of a unique concept of a permanent interactive educational exhibition. June 2006. Lifetime Lab received the special award for “Best conservation/Restoration Project” from the Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland (R.I.A.I.) November 2005. Architects Jack Coughlan Associates and Contractors, John F. Supple Ltd. receive award in the Heritage Category of the Opus Architecture and Construction Awards for the conservation and adaptation of the complex. Children finding out about energy at the Lifetime Lab. 30 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 25 Years of Gaisce – The President’s Awards

O’Reilly who was then President of By John Murphy Heinz. The other members included rugby legend Ray McLoughlin, Alex GAISCE had a humble enough Spain accountant, Niall Greene target in its first year back in 1985. (then CEO of the Youth Employ- Back then 300 hundred was the tar- ment Agency), the late John get number of participants in the Meagher and Fergus O’Ferrall (spe- first year. That was surpassed and cial Adviser to the Minister). Their the numbers grew to 670 partici- first task was to employ John Mur- Photo: © Shane O’Neill, Jason Clarke Photography pants in 1988. In 1992 the number phy a native of west Cork as CEO. of participants exceeded 4,000 and There were just two other staff in today there are over 16,000 par- those early years – John T Murphy ticipants per year. A youth Award (not to be confused with the other like Gaisce exists in 129 countries John) who was in charge of Devel- worldwide. Gaisce is recognised as opment, Training and PR and Mary one of the leading awards in the Lyons who ran the office. world now. The late President Patrick Hillery Gaisce is of course the Award of was the first Patron of the Award. the President of Ireland. It is also Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny and known as the national challenge Monaghan were the initial pilot award for young people between 15 areas and President Hillery pre- and 25 years of age. To earn an sented awards in each area. He was award participants must complete a very happy with the development of challenge in each of four different the award as was evident in his areas of activity. They are commu- address in Galway in 1989. “Since nity involvement, a personal skill, its inception the success of the physical recreation and an adven- scheme has been phenomenal” he ture journey. stated. President Mary McAleese presents Gold Awards in Dublin Castle in 2003 to the Special Olympics Group from Kanturk, Co Cork. The idea of starting an Award Mary Robinson of course suc- like Gaisce was doing the rounds in ceeded Paddy Hillery as Patron of most important of which was find- is also indebted to a large group of munity. It is this balance of activity the corridors of power for many the Award and she was patron dur- ing a formula to make the Award Irish leaders and personalities who that makes the Award an unselfish years. In 1985, the then Minister ing some years of rapid growth of available in Northern Ireland, side gave of their time freely present- “rounding” experience for partici- George Birmingham (now a well the Award. Next we have our cur- by side with the Duke of Edin- ing Awards and helping in many pants. This year as Gaisce known barrister) sought the assis- rent Patron Mary McAleese. burgh’s Award. other ways. Gay Byrne was one of celebrates its Silver Jubilee you tance of an esteemed group of President McAleese spearheaded There were many others who the early Award presenters and he can look out for lots of initiatives individuals to start the award. The many new initiatives in the Award, played an important role in its was followed by many other well like a Gaisce stamp from An Post, group was chaired by Sir Anthony development. The late Charles known names like Darina Allen, Adi Commemorative coins from the Cen- Haughey was credited with coming Roche, the Saw Doctors, PJ Culli- tral Bank and a Family Race Day in up with the title Gaisce which is a gan Garda Commissioner and of Leopardstown on Sunday May 30th. very special word – it means ‘a great course Jack Charlton. Over the achievement’ or a proud moment’. years there has been almost If you are interested in entering for The Gaisce offices are based in 300,000 participants. a Gaisce Award please contact: Dublin Castle. During the first twenty five Gaisce – The President’s Award, The Central to the success of the years participants have pushed State Apartments, Dublin Castle, Award is the army of voluntary themselves to the limit and climbed Photos: © Gaisce - The Presidents Award Photos: © Gaisce - The Presidents leaders known as President’s Award some of the most challenging peaks Dublin 2. Tel: 01 4758746. Email: Leaders or PALs who agree the of the world. Those achievements [email protected] or check out their challenge with the participants and however are matched by equally website: www.gaisce.ie monitor their progress. The Award tough challenges serving the com-

Majella Killeen of Mervue in Galway receiving the very first Gaisce Gold Award from President Dr. Patrick J. Hillery in 1989. Executive Director John Murphy from Aughadown,West Cork in the background.

President Mary Robinson presents a Gaisce Award to a worthy recipient. John Murphy with Award participants at an Army Survival Training with The Defence Forces. SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 ______31

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18 issues of Nature’s Web – each with 16 pages – are now available online. The Summer issue will soon be uploaded. Why not check it out? 32 ______SHERKIN COMMENT 2010 Issue No 49 changes in their environment. Seafood is still one of the cheapest sources of nutrition Our environment is quite literally a single The Cost of boat swirling through space. And, our “boat” has limited space (dry land covers less than thirty percent of the earth’s surface). The boat passengers have embarked on a science project known as global climate change. Regardless of Environmental what the actual human input to the experiment is, the current read of the evidence indicates that the climate is changing faster than we have ever experienced and it is unlikely to return to the “good old days” anytime soon. And, sea Protection level seems to be rising faster than expected. Does it matter who is causing the problem or got laws passed to start the process. The only that society can make changes, is capable By Michael Ludwig changes in the law cost money but the public of doing so, and the results may lessen the felt their environment was worth the price. results of the experiment? I’d like to think that ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT is a term That opinion remains valid today. In both just as petroleum changed the world, so too can often used for any social or political faction thinking and spending Americans continue to the next great energy sources. We can’t do that directed towards the preservation, restoration, believe and fund environmental protection or efficiently if popular opinion and funding are or enhancement of the natural environment improvement as their goals. Funding environ- focused on protecting the past. I had an unforgettable discussion with a mental protection has never meant more than it Now, just when we need to focus on making speaker at one of Matt Murphy’s Sherkin does in the age of excessive use of natural changes, the world gets pulled into a financial Island Environmental Conferences about a resources and global climate change. However, crisis and economic needs exceed supplies. But decade ago. The discussion focused on the those situations are not as clear as the one Ms. wait a minute, if the old ways are causing part importance of environmental protection. My Carson wrote about. These uncertainties are of the problem is it wise to keep using them or counterpart said that Americans had the luxury causing many people and governments to hesi- is it time to discover and develop new ways to December revealed that situation. We often hear of environmental protection because they had tate. But, passing laws and spending money to provide energy, food production, housing, that change means uncertainty and differences the money to afford it. I have thought about that make changes are what governments are sup- clothing and a new lifestyle? The idea of change that can be disruptive. Look at Chesapeake Bay statement regularly. It is wrong. Luxury has posed to do. is catching on in some areas but apparently, (USA). It is being degraded by too much fertil- nothing to do with it but money has everything It doesn’t matter if you are the King or the even though sticking with the past may limit izer. They have known this for more than to do with it. help, if you are not living in a healthy environ- your future, there is a reluctance to change. The twenty years but the people charged with “sav- In the United States, Rachel Carson’s book ment chances are that you and others around Obama Administration recognizes that the way ing” the Bay have been unable to correct the Silent Spring, published in 1962, is often con- you are going to pay dearly for problematic forward is through change and has implemented problem. Maybe it is time that we recognize sidered the start of our environmental conditions. The earth needs environmental pro- funding to help use the environment in a more that saving these environments is likely to be movement. The book describes the “costs” of tection if it is going to continue to provide us sustainable way. Unfortunately, with limited difficult and costly but it could save us in the continuing to use pesticides that last long after with a place to live. Does that mean that human- available funds and a majority of the population process. Is that a worthy investment? they had been applied and they effected ani- ity can live in peace with our environment and worried about unemployment, health care and mals that are not the target of the use. the species sharing the earth? We continue to war, the “luxury” of protecting the environment Americans concluded that the environment over harvest the ocean’s seafood species even as is not high on most lists of importance. The cli- Michael Ludwig, OCC 35 Corporate Drive, deserved protection from these materials and some species are relocating in response to mate change discussions in Copenhagen in Trumbull, CT USA 068811.