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Launching a new educational map of the majestic landscapes
of the Burren, the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) has
heralded the fascinating geological history of the area as
well as the useful role the new map will play in its interpretation.
Speaking at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre, Minister
of State Tony Killeen TD - who officially launched the new
map - encouraged local people to join in the debate around
a potential application by the Burren region to acquire European
Geopark status.
The new map has been researched and designed by the Geological
Survey of Ireland (GSI) - the state’s earth science agency.
GSI’s unparalleled knowledge of the Burren landscapes is evident
in what is an authoritative - but accessible - work.
According to Dr. Peadar McArdle, GSI Director - “This map
celebrates a very special landscape and it is entirely appropriate
that it is the first in a new national series of geotourism
maps GSI is planning for areas of outstanding landscape and
geological heritage. In the series, GSI hopes to convey the
key message that geology underpins the physical basis of our
society - where we live, work and play.”
The physical evolution of the rocky limestone landscape of
the Burren has occurred over millions of years, across geological
periods when Ireland was situated in the tropics and lay under
a shallow tropical sea. However, it was during the last ice
age that the area particularly began to evolve its current
appearance. At that time, the removal of glacial soils and
deposits began to expose the underlying limestone pavement
to karstic solution processes and erosion began to take place.
Humans have had their say also. The felling of trees, which
protected the remaining thin soils, further accelerated the
erosion and solution of the limestone pavement. Today, changing
agricultural practices are also affecting the karst landscape
with the spread of hazel and blackthorn scrub due to a decrease
in cattle grazing in recent years.
Ms. Bernadette Kinsella, Director of Services, Clare County
Council, described the new map as a valuable addition to vast
array of information now available to local residents and
visitors to the Burren. Also welcoming the new map, Carol
Gleeson, Project Manager with the Burren Connect Project,
stated - “This is another tool for students and visitors to
use to learn more about the fascinating area that is the Burren.
The geological map will be available for consultation and
to purchase at the nine Information Hubs located around the
Burren.”
Minister Killeen noted that the Burren region is the latest
in Ireland to investigate the potential of European Geopark
status. “This UNESCO designation uses geology as a basis upon
which to explore the diverse fauna, flora, history
and archaeology of a particular region in an integrated way”
- he said.
He announced that a public meeting would be held in the Ennistimon
Falls Hotel on the evening of the 24th of July to discuss
the proposed designation and concluded that the “new GSI Burren
map can be an important element in the proposal for this special
part of County Clare to be designated as a UNESCO Geopark.”
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