Type	Source
Data Download	Zip file – Download Dublin Data Zip file – Download Wicklow Data
Map Viewer	Link to viewer
Web Services	Rest service Dublin Rest service Wicklow

INFOMAR

INFOMAR is the INtegrated Mapping FOr the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s MArine Resource Programme.

It is a twenty year programme to map Ireland’s seabed. INFOMAR is funded by the Department of the Environment, Cliamte and Communications (DECC), and delivered by joint management partners Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute.

Official website

Type	Source
Data Download	Link to portal Note, you may need to hard reload the Portal in your browser following recent maintenance.
Map Viewer	Link to viewer
Data.gov.ie	Link to Data.gov.ie website keyword ‘infomar’
Web Services	Rest services Image Services
The Real Map of Ireland	Download PDF

EMODnet Bathymetry

EMODnet is the European Marine Observation and Data network.

Developing and providing a harmonised Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the seabed for European sea regions.

Official website

Type	Source
Map Viewer	EMODnet Map Viewer
Products	Access the Products Catalogue

EMODnet Geology

EMODnet is the European Marine Observation and Data network.

Developing and providing a harmonised Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the seabed for European sea regions.

Official website

Type	Source
Map Viewer	EMODnet Map Viewer
Products	Access the Products Catalogue

Backscatter

A Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) also measures the strength of the sound returning from the seabed, known as backscatter. Each seabed type (mud, sand, gravel, rock) is given a backscatter value, depending on the strength of the sound returned to the sonar head. Rocky areas have high returns. Soft sediments like sand absorb energy and have low backscatter returns. These values are used to make a grey-scale image with a dark colour for high returns (rocks) and a bright colour for low returns (sand).

Backscatter data formats.

Image	Format	Software	Instructions
	PDF chart	Free Adobe	Download Charts
	Geotiff (.tif)	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data or Download Entire Area Tab

Bathymetry (shaded relief, water depth / underwater terrain)

We use a Multibeam Echosounder (MBES) on a boat to determine water depth. The depth is calculated based on the time it takes the sound to be emitted from the sensor, hit the seabed and bounce back. The water depth maps are known as “Bathymetry Maps”. We use software called Fledermaus to get the 3D effect. By using vertical exaggeration, artificial sun-shading (mostly as if there is a light source in the northwest) and colouring the depths using colour maps, it is possible to highlight the subtle relief of the seabed. These are known as “Shaded Relief Bathymetry Maps”.

Bathymetry data formats.

Format	Software	Instructions
PDF chart	Free Adobe	Download Charts
Google (.kmz)	Free Google Earth	Download KMZ See Google Earth Column
Grid XYZ	ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Select Download Survey Leg Data – Select Download XYZ
Shaded Relief Bathymetry GeoTiff	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Select Download Survey Leg Data -Select Download Shaded Relief Geotiff
Floating Point Geotiff Grid	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Select Download Survey Leg Data – Select Download Bathymetry GeoTiff

Sub-bottom (SEGY)

The SBP family includes various types of systems including ‘Pinger’ systems which transmit a single frequency (~4 kHz) and ‘Chirp’ systems which transmit a sweep of frequencies (e.g. 2-10 kHz) in a single pulse. These systems use lower sound frequencies that penetrate further into the sediment and examine sediment layers and the extent of bedrock.

Format	Software	Instructions
SEGY	Seismic data softwares	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Survey Leg Data Tab – Select Download Survey Leg Data – Select Download SEGY
Online	Any browser	INFOMAR Data Viewer See Sub-bottom Profile Availability and Sub-bottom Profile Tracklines layers.
Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Vector Datasets Tab for Sub-bottom Tracklines Shapefile.

Geology

The Onshore Geology map is the Bedrock Geology 1:1 Million scale map. The Seabed geology 1:1 Million scale map was compiled for the EMODnet Geology project (lithology).

Geology data formats.

Image	Format	Software	Instructions
	Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Vector Datasets Tab for offshore shapefiles
	Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	Bedrock For onshore shapefile see ‘Bedrock Geology 1 Million’

Lidar

This method of surveying emits two laser light beams from a sensor on-board an airplane. The red beam reaches the water surface and bounces back, while the green beam penetrates the water hits the seabed and bounces back. The difference in time between the two beams returning allows the water depth to be calculated. Digital photographs can also be taken using a downward looking geo-referenced digital camera. We use software called Fledermaus to get the 3D effect. By using vertical exaggeration, artificial sun-shading (mostly as if there is a light source in the northwest) and colouring the depths using colour maps, it is possible to highlight the subtle relief of the seabed/landscape. These are known as “Shaded Relief Lidar Maps”.

Lidar data formats.

Format	Software	Instructions
PDF chart	Free Adobe	Download Charts
Geotiff (.tif)	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Type ‘LI_’ into search to see LiDAR Survey Legs
ESRI ArcGIS GRID	ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Type ‘LI_’ into search to see LiDAR Survey Legs
Grid xyz(.dat)	ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Survey Leg Data Tab – Type ‘LI_’ into search to see LiDAR Survey Legs

Maps

Maps available for download

Format	Software	Instructions
PDF Map	Free Adobe	Download PDF The Real Map of Ireland
PDF Map	Free Adobe	Download Charts
Online	Any browser	View Story Maps

Seabed Habitats & Substrate

The seabed substrate map is created by grouping seabed areas that are alike. We use the bathymetry, backscatter and seabed samples data to select these areas.

EMODnet Geology WP3 Seabed substrate map. This is a broad scale map (1: 250 000 scale) collected and harmonised by the EMODnet-Geology partners. It is classified using the Folk schema (7 classes).

INFOMAR have produced more detailed Seabed Classification maps for some areas around the Irish coast.

Seabed Habitats data formats.

Image	Format	Software	Instructions
	Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Vector Datasets Tab for Sediment Classification Shapefile.
	Online	Any browser	EMODnet Map Viewer See EMODnet Geology – Seabed Substrate Layers. Shapefiles can be downloaded from layer info.

Seabed Samples

We collect sediment samples from the seabed.

Looking at the samples along with the bathymetry and backscatter maps allows us to group seabed areas of similar nature, and create seabed habitat maps.

Seabed Sample data formats.

Image	Format	Software	Instructions
	Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Vector Datasets Tab for Sediment Samples Shapefile.
	Online	Any browser	Seabed & Sediment Viewer See Sample Points layer

Shipwrecks

We map shipwrecks.

Shipwreck data formats.

Image	Format	Software	Instructions
	Shapefile	ArcGIS Earth (Free) ArcGIS PRO QGIS	INFOMAR Marine Data Download Portal Select Download Vector Datasets Tab for Shipwrecks Shapefile.
	Online	Any browser	View 3D Models

Survey Coverage & Reports

Download the Survey Coverage polygons & track lines.

You can also download the Survey Leg Reports.