Which Geological Survey Ireland programme do you work in?
Geoheritage and Planning
What do you do?
My role involves the protection and promotion of sites of national and international geological importance in Ireland. Within Planning, my role is to support the planning process by responding to groups and stakeholders engaged in EIAs (Environmental Impact Assessments) and planning applications for a variety of developments in particular road schemes, quarries, windfarms, major developments etc.
I contribute to outreach by co-leading geology fieldtrips such as 'Geology of Bray Head' and 'Geology of Greystones' for the public as part of Heritage Week.
Why does your programme do the work it does?
We gather data and create maps and reports so that our geological heritage is accessible to as many people as possible.
When do you do fieldwork and what does it involve?
Field work involves identifying and auditing CGSs (County Geological Sites) of geoheritage importance and documenting and recording the geology of the site which are then mapped and photographed.
Where does your work take you?
Throughout Ireland documenting CGSs (County Geological Sites). I participate in Heritage Week field trips and the National Ploughing Championships and BT Young Scientist Exhibition events to promote Geological Survey Ireland.
Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be met by the work your programme does?
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life below water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
Skills involved:
- Geology
- Planning, environmental assessment
- Project management
- Research
- Design
- Photography
^Greystones, Co Wicklow. Geology fieldtrip as part of Heritage week.
^A map of the all of the curret audited County Geological Sites (CGSs), as of November 2020.