 |
| The Boyne Valley in the Ice Age |
Driving from Newgrange to Newry, to pick up
the latest edition of ES2k magazine from a colleague at the Northern Ireland branch of the
British Geological Survey, our meeting in the very large car park of an out of
town shopping centre was quite memorable.
With a mobile phone, to give directions – and
sticking our hands high into the air – we finally found each other and, as
always in Ireland, this brief encounter was full of good humour.
During my previous visit to Northern Ireland,
I had been very conscious about crossing the border and, laughing to myself
now, I could imagine what the security cameras might of thought of
this meeting during the time of “the troubles” - if they had seen such an
exchange of heavy boxes from van to van.
With this transaction between the Republic of
Ireland and Northern Ireland successfully negotiated, I headed off to Monaghan
- crossing this border again. I had set off from Dublin in one of the small Renault Kangoo vans,
having been assured that it was capable of carrying the load that
I was about to collect.
Driving up and around some remarkable drumlins, on roads that were not always in the very best condition, I am very
sure that the back axle was given a comprehensive
mechanical test.
 |
| Caves and Limestone Scenery in Northern Ireland |
Having safely delivered my cargo, I returned to Dublin by the quickest route. I have since reflected
on the way that an interest in the geology of the island of Ireland has no
political boundaries and there is much collaboration between the south and north
- which has resulted in very many good publications and other initiatives that
are aimed at the Geotourist.
When Finnian O’Connor – the student intern
who shared my office – asked me to photograph some of the very many Geotourism booklets
and leaflets held in the basement of the GSI, to include in his final report to
the head of the Heritage and Planning section, I was more than happy to help.
 |
| A selection of Geotourism leaflets held at the GSI |
