OPEN UNIVERSITY
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
 
 Ireland Branch Newsletter
 2005 No.3
Calendar
Branch events 2005
April
w/e 30 -       Field trip to the Silurian Red Sequences in Finny, Co. Mayo, leader Sadhbh
  May 1       Baxter (NUIG)  Details below    
July
w/e 23-24    Field trip to West Cork/Kerry leader Pat Meere (UCC)
August
tba    One-day field trip to Silvermines, Co. Tipperary, leader Ed. Jarvis, OU Tutor
23-4 Sept.    Field trip to Iceland. This trip is now booked out.
September
tba    One-day field trip to the Co. Down Coast, leader Tony Lee

2006 April
w/e tba    Field trip to Metamorphic and Igneous rocks in Connemara, leader Martin Feely, (NUIG)     

Other events 2005
April
w/e 16-17    IGA Field trip to the Copper Coast, Co. Waterford, led by Sophie Preteseille.
May
w/e 7-8    IAEG Weekend course: Copper Deposits: genetic studies and case histories, Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare, Co. Wexford.  
Sat 28    CGA geo-walk to Coumshingaun, Co. Waterford.
June
w/e 10-12    IGA field trip to the Belfast area (provisional)

BGS Belfast Geologists' Society; CGA Cork Geological Association; IAEG Irish Association for Economic Geology; IGA Irish Geological Association; NUIG National University of Ireland Galway, TCD Trinity College Dublin; UCC University College Cork


 

EDITORIAL
Geology is a very hands-on subject and to get the most out of your studies you should see as many rocks in the field as possible.  I say this because in a very short time there is a Branch field trip to Silurian red bed sediments in the beautiful surroundings of County Mayo.  There is no requirement to answer CMAs or TMAs, there is just the enjoyment of being in the fresh air and seeing wonderful geology, in the company of enthusiastic and friendly OU students and graduates.  If you are interested in going to Connemara please let Phyllis know NOW!

The trip by Martin Feely that was advertised in the last Newsletter has been postponed to next April (provisionally.)
Susan

Hello all,
Our next field trip is to the Silurian Redbeds with Sadhbh Baxter from NUI Galway, it is the weekend of Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2005.  The accommodation has been booked in Tourmakeady and we have received a very favourable price, but more of that later from Susan.
If anyone wants to come as a day visitor that can also be arranged, but you need to contact me for further details.  I know we have some new members in that area and it would be lovely to meet you.
The next field trip is on 23/24th July to Kerry, we will be based in Kenmare, and that promises to be a good trip also.  Again day visitors will be welcome.
I have received a message from the National Membership Secretary, at this date 550 members from all the branches have not yet renewed. She is urging everyone to please send their membership fees in now otherwise the next Newsletter you receive will be your last.  Apparently this also has to apply to the local Newsletter.
Please stay with us this year we have some good trips lined up and also, all the field trips advertised all over Ireland, UK and Europe are open to every member.
I look forward to seeing you at our next trip.
Phyllis

FIELD TRIP DETAILS
Silurian red-beds in Finny, eastern Connemara led by Sadhbh Baxter

Finny (OS 1:50,000 Sheet 38, GR: 010 590) is just in Co. Mayo.  Accommodation for this trip will be in Máire Luke’s south of Tourmakeady (GR: 096 679) on the western shore of Lough Mask.  (More info on their website.)  Remember this is the west of Ireland in spring; you should bring stout footwear and warm, waterproof clothing, though we hope that you won’t need them!  Note: jeans and trainers are not suitable clothing in bad weather.  You will also need a packed lunch each day.  These are usually available, for a small charge, from the B&B or by buying provisions in a local shop.

The cost of accommodation is €60.00 (£42.00 Stg) per person, and for single room occupancy the price is €70.00 (£49.00 Stg) per person for two nights B&B.  There will also be a small additional cost to cover the leader's expenses (the more people that come the less this will be.)



ALL-CLEAR ON ASTEROID

Astronomers have ruled out any threat from asteroid 2004 MN4, which was regarded last year as the most threatening object around.  New radar observations show that the 400-metre asteroid will miss us by about 30,000 kilometres as it flies by on 13 April, 2029.
New Scientist, 10 March 2005.
Just thought you would like to know.  Ed.

BRANCH MATTERS

The Branch AGM in the Department of Geology in UCD was a very straightforward and useful meeting attended by the faithful few who do an enormous amount of work on your behalf.  There is no change in the officers, Phyllis is still Branch Organizer, Sheila is still Treasurer and I, for my sins, am still Newsletter Editor.  There are, however, some changes in the make-up of the Committee, see below.  Following the AGM we had an excellent meal in the Montrose Hotel where we caught up on news and generally enjoyed ourselves.