News in 2010

January
WIT Architecture Students

Students in Architecture from WIT explored the Copper Coast in January.

25th January - 8th March Geology Course, Dungarvan

The Copper Coast Geopark ran its popular Geology Course in Dungarvan VEC,
Co. Waterford this year with 12 attendees.
More information about the course
can be found here.

Examining rocks samples in a relaxed environment.

Looking at thin section of rock under the microscope.

Applying theory in the field, a beautiful intrusion of igneous rock (grey) in mudstones (black and brown) at Benvoy strand.

4th February
Rev. Doudney's family member visits
Monksland

This morning we had the great great grandson of Rev Doudney in the
Monksland Geopark Centre. David (right on the photo below) and his
wife Rachel were very happy and excited to be in the centre. They were
given a copy of Des Cowman's book along with information about the
Copper Coast Geopark. They then went on a tour of the area with local
guide Jim Cullinane.

Rachel Doudney, Jim Cullinane, David Doudney in Monksland.

28th March Seaweed foraging on the Copper Coast

This year, in cooperation with the Copper Coast Tourism Group, Slow Food
Ireland had its annual “Foraging on the Beach” event. Held on Sunday
morning 28th March at Kilfarrasy Beach on the Copper Coast near the
village of Fenor in Co. Waterford. Over 80 people attended on a perfect
Spring morning.

Around the time of the equinox, spring tides are most favourable for the
collection of Dillisk, Carrageen Moss, Sleabhcan and other edible seaweeds.
They have a long history of use in Ireland and the industry was worth over
€12 million in 2003.

Bruce MacDonald of the Copper Coast Geopark met the group on the beach for
an initial 'show and tell' on seaweeds and how to gather and cook them. Then
it was off across the rocks and pools to find the real thing.

At 12:30 p.m. the group then went to the Ecopark in Dunhill to see a
demonstration of Dillisk bread making, wonderfully tasting healthy soups and
carrageen moss pudding with Paula McCarthy and Nancy O'Shea.

A family day out in a beautiful environment, with the added element of learning
about our seashore's bounty and how to gather and cook it.

Foraging for seaweed on Kilfarrasy beach

Led by Bruce MacDonald

Afterwards a select few moved to Dunhill Ecopark where Nancy O'Shea aided by Paula McCarthy cooked a delicious lunch using various forms of seaweed.

15th April
St John of God Primary School visits
the Copper Coast

St John of God Primary School, Co. Waterford, enjoyed a sunny outing on the
Copper Coast, exploring the geology and the marine biology of the coastline.

16th - 22nd May Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science

Copper Coast Geopark took part in Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science,
which was also celebrating 2010 as the International Year for Biodiversity.
The week was packed with events. The beach mosaic event in Annestown
was even shortlisted as the top 10 events for International Day for Biological
Diversity by the
Guardian.

Events of the week are listed on www.livingearth.ie website.

Eoin Gill, organiser of Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor science
posted thevideo of the beach mosaic on YouTube.

21st May 2010 Una Troy (1910-1993), A review of her life and work

Copper Coast Geopark organised a celebration of the Centenary of the birth
of Una Troy, Irish writer with guest speaker Donal Brady.

Born May 21, 1910 in Fermoy, County Cork, Una Troy was the daughter of
John and Bridget (Hayes) Troy. In 1931 she married Joseph C. Walsh,
doctor, and lived her married life in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and Bonmahon,
Co.Waterford. She began her writing career under the name of Elizabeth
Connor, publishing her first novel Mount Prospect at Methuen (London) in
1936 when she was 26. 

This event was made possible by a grant Assisted by Waterford County
Council Art Office.
Le cabhair ó Oifig Ealaíon Chomhairle Chontae Phort
Láirge.

22nd May 2010 Mary McPartlan National Tour 2010

Promoted by Rural Arts Network in Association with Mary McPartlan.
www.webjam.com/ruralartsnetwork

Copper Coast Geopark supports local traditional artists and are
host to Rural
Arts Network in association with Mary McPartlan.

The concert took place in Gealac Gorm Theatre, Kill, Co. Waterford and was
made possible by a Grant Assisted by Waterford County Council Art Office.
Le cabhair ó Oifig Ealaíon Chomhairle Chontae Phort Láirge

27th & 28th June 2010
Landscape Sketching Course

With local artist Sinead Driver, 2 day landscape sketching course along the
Copper Coast with exhibition and sale of all artworks produced.

Time: 2 - 5pm
Booking: essential as limited to 12 places
Fee: 2 days: €25, 1 day: €15
Meeting Point: Monksland Copper Coast Centre, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford

3rd - 11th July 2010
European Geoparks Week

European Geoparks Week is an annual event that occurs
throughout the European Geoparks Network.
The aim is to raise awareness of the
European Geoparks Network (EGN)
by celebrating both Europe’s common
geological history and the role that each individual
Geopark plays within this.
At the local level, this is an opportunity to explore the geology,
landscape, wildlife, archaeology and built heritage of the
Copper Coast.

See Programme

Heritage Week 2010

We had several successful evening walks everywhere from
Stradbally to the Fenor Bog.
The weather was usually quite kind to us!

European Geoparks Network
Co-ordination Committee Meeting.
28th & 29th September 2010.

Mike Sweeney and John Galloway represented Copper Coast Geopark
at the meeting on Lesvos Island, Greece.
Five new Geoparks were admitted to the network,
from Finland, Italy (2),
Spain and Greece.

Members of the network from Copper Coast, English Riviera, North Pennines and Fforest Fawr Geoparks on a field trip in the Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark.

Halloween 2010

There is hidden talent to be mined along the Copper Coast!
Organised by Paula, our Pumpkin carving competition was a
great success.

Some winning pumpkins with Paula!

And then there was the Halloween Party, back by popular request, and spooky fun was had by all!

And after three weeks the weather and the tide came together and on the night of Sunday 21st November, many Memorial Lanterns were launched in the Mahon River and floated out to sea carrying thoughts and memories of departed loved ones. Special moments.