Geology is the foundation of society; without earth resources - rocks and hydrocarbons - there would have been no development of society and culture as we know it today. We depend on geological resources for all the material things we use.

Our cultural heritage is underpinned by geology just as the biological world is dependent on the physical earth. Biodiversity and geodiversity are intimately linked.

To many people nature conservation means protecting the plants, the birds, the animals and the habitats they need to survive.

When you have explored this exhibition we hope that you will see that nature conservation includes looking after our best sites for seeing and understanding the geology and landscape of Ireland.

Geological heritage is more than just looking after sites. It includes the complementary fossils, minerals and archives in museums and collections.