Categories
  Encyclosphere.org ENCYCLOREADER
  supported by EncyclosphereKSF

Geography of Ireland

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 34 min

Geography of Ireland
ContinentEurope
RegionNorthwestern Europe
Area
 • Total84,421 km2 (32,595 sq mi)
 • Land98.2%
 • Water1.8%
Coastline7,524 km (4,675 mi)
Highest pointCarrauntoohil 1,039 metres (3,409 ft)
Lowest pointNorth Slob −3 metres (−10 ft)
Longest riverRiver Shannon 360.5 km (224.0 mi)
Largest lakeLough Neagh 392 km2 (151 sq mi)
Climatetemperate oceanic climate with some upland areas classified as oceanic subpolar
Terrainflat, low-lying area in the midlands, ringed by mountain ranges
Natural resourcesaquaculture, fertile soil, freshwater, timber, peat, bauxite, copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, iron, gypsum, natural gas, hydropower, wind energy
Natural hazardsCyclones, flooding, thunderstorms
Environmental issuesWater pollution, Leaching, Climate change, Waste disposal

Ireland is an island in Northern Europe in the north Atlantic Ocean. The island, of up to around 480 km (300 mi) north-south, and 275 km (171 mi) east-west, lies near the western edge of the European continental shelf, part of the Eurasian Plate. Its main geographical features include low central plains surrounded by coastal mountains. The highest peak is Carrauntoohil (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), which is 1,039 metres (3,409 ft) above sea level. The western coastline is rugged, with many islands, peninsulas, headlands and bays, while the southern and northern coasts feature a smaller number of substantial sea inlets, such as Lough Foyle and Cork Harbour; no part of the land is more than around 110 km (68 mi) from the sea. It was administratively divided into 32 counties, gathered in 4 provinces, though current arrangements, especially in Northern Ireland, differ from this model. The island is almost bisected by the River Shannon, which at 360.5 km (224 mi) with a 102.1 km (63 mi) estuary is the longest river in Ireland and flows south from County Cavan in the province of Ulster to form the boundary between Connacht and Leinster, and later Munster, and meet the Atlantic just south and west of Limerick. There are a number of sizeable lakes along Ireland's rivers, of which Lough Neagh is the largest.

Politically, the island consists of the Republic of Ireland, with jurisdiction over about five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, a constituent part of the United Kingdom, with jurisdiction over the remaining sixth. Located west of the island of Great Britain, Ireland lies at approximately 53°N 8°W / 53°N 8°W / 53; -8. It has a total area of 84,421 km2 (32,595 sq mi)[1] and is separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea, bounded to the north and south respectively by the North Channel and St George's Channel, and from mainland Europe by the Celtic Sea. Ireland forms the second largest landmass in the British Isles, together with Great Britain and the Isle of Man.[2][3]

The island has a temperate oceanic climate, mild and humid, and is warmer than other landmasses at the same latitude due to its position vis-a-vis the winds on the Atlantic Ocean, and ocean currents and circulations. The island is one of the least forested areas in Europe, though afforestation is growing, but has a strong agricultural sector. It has a limited range of mineral resources, and has only had two major gas finds, and none in the oil sector. Hydroelectric energy is actively used, and wind farms are extending; neither solar nor tidal energy is as yet much exploited.

Geological development

[edit]
Main article: Geology of Ireland
See caption
Slieve League in western Banagh

The geology of Ireland is diverse. Different regions contain rocks belonging to different geological periods, dating back almost 2 billion years. The oldest known Irish rock is about 1.7 billion years old and is found on Inishtrahull Island off the north coast of Inishowen[4][5] and on the mainland at Annagh Head on the Mullet Peninsula.[6] The newer formations are the drumlins and glacial valleys as a result of the last ice age, and the sinkholes and cave formations in the limestone regions of Clare.[7][8]

Ireland's geological history includes a wide range of elements, from volcanism and tropical seas to the last glacial period. Ireland was formed in two distinct parts, which slowly joined, uniting about 440 million years ago. As a result of tectonics and the effect of ice, the sea level has risen and fallen. In every area of the country, the rocks which formed can be seen as a result. Finally, the impact of the glaciers shaped the landscape seen today.[9] The variation between the two areas, along with the differences between volcanic areas and shallow seas, led to a range of soils. There are extensive bogs and free-draining brown earths. The mountains are granite, sandstone, limestone with karst areas, and basalt formations.[10][11][12][13]

Most of Ireland was probably above sea level during the last 60 million years. As such its landscapes have been shaped by erosion and weathering on land.[14] Protracted erosion also means most of the Paleogene and Neogene sediments have been eroded away or, as known in a few cases, buried by Quaternary deposits.[15] Before the Quaternary glaciations affected Ireland the landscape had developed thick weathered regolith on the uplands and karst in the lowlands.[14] There has been some controversy regarding the origin of the planation surfaces found in Ireland.[15][16] While some have argued for an origin in marine planation, others regard these surfaces as peneplains formed by weathering and fluvial erosion. Not only is their origin disputed but also their actual extent and the relative role of sea-level change and tectonics in their shaping.[15] Most river systems in Ireland formed in the Cenozoic before the Quaternary glaciations. Rivers follow for most of their course structural features of the geology of Ireland. Marine erosion since the Miocene may have made Ireland's western coast retreat more than 100 km. Pre-Quaternary relief was more dramatic than today's glacier-smoothened landscapes.[14]

Physical geography

[edit]

Mountain ranges

[edit]
See also: List of mountains in Ireland
See caption
Mountains, lakes, rivers and other physical features of Ireland are shown on this map.

Ireland consists of a mostly flat low-lying area in what are known as the Midlands. It is ringed by mountain ranges such as—beginning in County Cork and working clockwise—the Boggeragh Mountains, Derrynasaggart Mountains, Caha Mountains, MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Slieve Mish Mountains, Mullaghareirk Mountains, the Twelve Bens/Maumturks group, Nephinbeg Mountains, Ox Mountains, Bluestack Mountains, Derryveagh Mountains, Sperrin Mountains, the Mournes, Wicklow Mountains, Blackstairs Mountains, Comeragh Mountains and Knockmealdown Mountains.[17][18]: 3 [19] Some mountain ranges are further inland in the south of Ireland, such as the Galtee Mountains (the highest inland range),[20] Silvermine and Slieve Bloom Mountains.[17] There is an area of raised land near the northeastern coast, the Antrim Plateau, which contains the Glens of Antrim; this area is sometimes called the Mountains of Antrim.[17] The highest peak Carrauntoohil, at 1,038.6 m (3,407 ft) high,[21] is in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, a range of glacier-carved sandstone mountains. Only three peaks on the island are over 1,000 m (3,300 ft)[21] and another 457 exceed 500 m (1,600 ft).[22] There are a number of walking trails in the mountains, with the longest being that through the Wicklow Mountains. In the Mourne Mountains, with multiple walking trails, a wall was built between the 13 major peaks, the 36-kilometre-long (22 mi) Mourne Wall.[19]

Ireland is sometimes known as the "Emerald Isle" because of its green landscape.[23][24][25]

Rivers and lakes

[edit]
See also: List of rivers of Ireland and List of loughs of Ireland
See caption
Lough Lene, County Westmeath

Waterbodies accounted for around 2% of the land area of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland are over 74,000 kilometres (46,000 mi) of rivers and streams, more than 125,000 hectares (310,000 acres) of lake and over 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of reservoirs; these are not evenly distributed—over 30% of the watercourse length is found in Counties Cork, Donegal and Mayo, while Counties Mayo and Galway hold over 40% of the total lake area. Almost all of the reservoir area lies in just two counties, Wicklow (2/3) and Cork (1/3).[26] In Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh is by far the leading source of water.[27]

The River Shannon, at 360.5 kilometres (224.0 mi) in length, is the longest river in Ireland and Britain. With a drainage area of 16,865 km2 (6,512 sq mi),[28] the Shannon River Basin covers one-fifth of the island. The Shannon crosses 11 counties and divides the west of Ireland from the south and east. The river develops into three large lakes along its course, Lough Allen, Lough Ree, and Lough Derg.[21] The River Shannon enters the Atlantic Ocean at Limerick city along the Shannon Estuary.[17]

Other major rivers include the River Liffey and its leading tributary, the River Dodder, and the nearby Tolka River, River Slaney, the Three Sisters (the Rivers Nore, Suir and Barrow), River Lee, River Erne, Foyle River, River Bann, River Lagan, and River Boyne.[17] There are also multiple River Blackwaters, the most significant being the Munster Blackwater.[17] The river with the greatest output volume is the Shannon but the second-greatest volume is in the short but powerful River Corrib.[29]

Lough Neagh, in Ulster,[21] is the largest lake in Ireland and Britain with an area of 392 km2 (151 sq mi). The largest lake in the Republic of Ireland is Lough Corrib 176 km2 (68 sq mi). Other large lakes, besides the three major Shannon examples, include the two linked lakes known as Lough Erne, Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, and Lough Conn.[17][21]

Inlets

[edit]
See also: List of Irish counties by coastline
A photograph of Killary Harbour
Killary Harbour forms a natural border between counties Galway and Mayo for 16 kilometres (9.9 mi)

In County Donegal, Lough Swilly separates the western side of the Inishowen peninsula from the wider county. Lough Foyle on the other side, is one of Ireland's larger inlets, situated between County Donegal and County Londonderry.[30] Clockwise round the coast is Belfast Lough, between County Antrim and County Down.[31] Also in County Down is Strangford Lough, actually an inlet partially separating the Ards peninsula from the mainland. Further south, Carlingford Lough is situated between Down and County Louth.[31]

Dublin Bay is the next sizeable inlet. The east coast of Ireland has no major inlets until Wexford Harbour at the mouth of the River Slaney.[32] On the south coast, Waterford Harbour is situated at the mouth of the River Suir,[33] into which the other two of the Three Sisters (the Rivers Nore and Barrow) flow. The next major inlet is Cork Harbour, at the mouth of the River Lee, in which Great Island is situated.[34]

Dunmanus Bay, Kenmare estuary and Dingle Bay are all inlets between the peninsulas of western County Cork and County Kerry. North of these is the Shannon Estuary. Between north County Clare and County Galway is Galway Bay. Clew Bay is located on the coast of County Mayo, south of Achill Island, while Broadhaven Bay, Blacksod Bay and Sruth Fada Conn bays are situated in northwest Connacht, in North Mayo. Killala Bay is on the northeast coast of Mayo. Donegal Bay is a major inlet between County Donegal and County Sligo.[30]

A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 565 km2 (218 sq mi) of tidal flats in Ireland, making it the 43rd-ranked country in terms of tidal flat area.[35]

Headlands

[edit]

Malin Head is the most northerly point in Ireland,[36] while Mizen Head is one of the most southern points, hence the term "from Malin to Mizen" (or the reverse) is used for anything applying to the island of Ireland as a whole. Carnsore Point is another extreme point of Ireland, being its southeasternmost point. Hook Head and the Old Head of Kinsale are two of many headlands along the south coast.[37][38] Loop Head is the headland at which County Clare comes to a point on the west coast of Ireland, with the Atlantic on the north, and the Shannon estuary to the south.[39] Hag's Head is another headland further up Clare's north/western coastline, with the Cliffs of Moher along the coastline north of the point.[40]

Islands and peninsulas

[edit]
See also: List of islands of Ireland and List of islands of County Mayo
See caption
Dingle Peninsula as viewed from Banna Strand

Achill Island, off the west coast, is the largest of Ireland's offshore islands. Achill is inhabited, and is permanently connected to the mainland by a bridge.[41] Some of the next largest islands are the Aran Islands, off the coast of southern Connacht, host to an Irish-speaking community, or Gaeltacht. Valentia Island off the Iveragh peninsula is also one of Ireland's larger islands, and is relatively settled, as well as being connected by a bridge at its southeastern end.[42] Omey Island, off the coast of Connemara, is a tidal island.[43]

Some of the best-known peninsulas in Ireland are in Counties Cork and Kerry: the Dingle peninsula, the Iveragh peninsula and the Beara peninsula.[44] Other promontories outside the southwest include the Fanad (Fannet Head), Mullet Peninsula, the Old Head of Kinsale, Hook Head, Howth Head and the Cooley Peninsula.[18]: 4  The Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal includes Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head, and several towns, including Buncrana on Lough Swilly,[45] Carndonagh and Moville on Lough Foyle.[46]

Ireland's most northerly undisputed land feature is Inishtrahull island, off Malin Head.[47] Rockall Island lies farther north but its status is disputed, being claimed by the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Denmark (on behalf of the Faroe Islands) and Iceland.[48] The most southerly point is the Fastnet Rock.[49]

The Hebrides off Scotland and Anglesey off Wales were grouped with Ireland ("Hibernia") by the Greco-Roman geographer Ptolemy.[50]

Forests

[edit]

Ireland, like the neighbouring Great Britain, was once covered in forest. Clearing of forests began in the Neolithic Age and accelerated following the Tudor Conquest, resulting in forest cover of only 1% by the start of the twentieth century.[51] As of 2017, total tree cover in the Republic of Ireland stood at 11% of land area[52] but the figure for native forest stood at just 2% in 2018, the third lowest in Europe, behind Iceland and Malta.[53] Of the 172 countries assessed, Ireland has the sixth most degraded forest landscape in the world.[54]

Marina geography

[edit]

The coastline of Ireland is 7,524 kilometres (4,675 mi) long.[55] As the continental shelf extends far to the west and southwest, the larger of the two jurisdictions on the island has extensive seabed claims, exceeding 880,000 square kilometres (340,000 sq mi), more than 10 times the land area.[56]

Climate

[edit]
Main article: Climate of Ireland
See caption
Köppen climate types in Ireland

The climate of Ireland is mild, humid and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. Ireland's climate is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, or Cfb on the Köppen climate classification system, a classification it shares with most of northwest Europe.[57] The country receives generally warm summers and mild winters. It is considerably warmer than other areas at the same latitude on the other side of the Atlantic, such as in Newfoundland, because[58] it lies downwind of the Atlantic Ocean, and is also warmer than maritime climates near the same latitude, such as the Pacific Northwest, as a result of heat released by the Atlantic overturning circulation that includes the North Atlantic Current and Gulf Stream. For comparison, Dublin is 9 °C warmer than St. John's in Newfoundland in winter.[59]

The influence of the North Atlantic Current also ensures the coastline of Ireland remains ice-free throughout the winter.[60] The climate in Ireland does not experience extreme weather, with tornadoes and similar weather features being rare.[61][62] However, Ireland is prone to eastward moving cyclones which come in from the North Atlantic.[63]

The prevailing wind comes from the southwest, breaking on the high mountains of the west coast.[58] Rainfall is therefore a particularly prominent part of western Irish life, with Valentia Island, off the west coast of County Kerry, getting over twice as much annual rainfall as Dublin on the east (1,557 mm or 61.3 in vs. 714 mm or 28.1 in).[64]

The overall mean temperature (measured 1990–2020) is 9.8 °C (49.6 °F). January and February are the coldest months of the year, with mean daily air temperatures of 5.3 to 5.5 °C (41.5 to 41.9 °F) during these months. July and August are the warmest, with mean daily temperatures of 15 to 15.2 °C (59.0 to 59.4 °F), whilst mean daily maximums in July and August are 18.9 to 19.1 °C (66.0 to 66.4 °F), lower near the coast, higher inland.[65] The sunniest months are May and June, with an average of five to seven hours sunshine per day.[66]

Though extreme weather events in Ireland are comparatively rare when compared with other countries in the European Continent, they do occur. Atlantic depressions, occurring mainly in the months of December, January and February, can occasionally bring winds of up to 160 km/h or 99 mph to Western coastal counties; while the summer months, and particularly around late July/early August, thunderstorms can develop.[67][68][69]

The tables below show mean 30-year climate averages for Ireland's two largest cities, taken from the weather stations at Dublin Airport and Belfast International Airport respectively. The state metrological service for the Republic of Ireland is Met Éireann, while the Met Office monitors climate data for Northern Ireland.[70]

Climate data for Dublin Airport (DUB),[a] 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1881–present[b]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.5
(65.3) 		18.1
(64.6) 		23.6
(74.5) 		22.7
(72.9) 		26.8
(80.2) 		32.3
(90.1) 		33.0
(91.4) 		30.6
(87.1) 		27.6
(81.7) 		24.2
(75.6) 		19.4
(66.9) 		18.1
(64.6) 		33.0
(91.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8.0
(46.4) 		8.5
(47.3) 		10.1
(50.2) 		12.3
(54.1) 		14.8
(58.6) 		17.7
(63.9) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.1
(66.4) 		16.9
(62.4) 		13.6
(56.5) 		10.3
(50.5) 		8.3
(46.9) 		13.3
(55.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4) 		5.3
(41.5) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.2
(46.8) 		10.7
(51.3) 		13.3
(55.9) 		15.4
(59.7) 		15.1
(59.2) 		13.2
(55.8) 		10.4
(50.7) 		7.3
(45.1) 		5.5
(41.9) 		9.7
(49.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1) 		2.2
(36.0) 		3.0
(37.4) 		4.0
(39.2) 		6.6
(43.9) 		9.0
(48.2) 		11.3
(52.3) 		11.2
(52.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		7.1
(44.8) 		4.3
(39.7) 		2.6
(36.7) 		6.1
(43.0)
Record low °C (°F) −15.6
(3.9) 		−13.4
(7.9) 		−9.8
(14.4) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−0.7
(30.7) 		1.8
(35.2) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−15.7
(3.7) 		−15.7
(3.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 61.8
(2.43) 		52.4
(2.06) 		51.4
(2.02) 		55.0
(2.17) 		57.0
(2.24) 		64.0
(2.52) 		61.0
(2.40) 		73.4
(2.89) 		63.3
(2.49) 		78.4
(3.09) 		82.7
(3.26) 		72.1
(2.84) 		772.5
(30.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.5 11.0 10.7 11.1 10.5 9.8 11.6 11.8 10.7 11.6 12.5 13.3 137.1
Average snowy days 3.2 3.2 2.4 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 2.3 12.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 UTC) 81.6 76.9 71.6 68.7 67.8 67.7 69.0 69.8 71.9 75.8 81.6 83.9 73.9
Average dew point °C (°F) 3.2
(37.8) 		3.0
(37.4) 		3.6
(38.5) 		4.8
(40.6) 		7.1
(44.8) 		9.7
(49.5) 		11.6
(52.9) 		11.6
(52.9) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.8
(46.0) 		5.5
(41.9) 		3.8
(38.8) 		6.8
(44.3)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 60.2 81.8 121.0 165.9 197.3 180.1 158.3 155.4 129.4 105.9 73.5 56.6 1,485.4
Mean daily daylight hours 8.2 9.9 11.9 14.0 15.9 16.9 16.4 14.7 12.7 10.5 8.6 7.6 12.3
Average ultraviolet index 0 1 2 4 5 6 6 5 4 2 1 0 3
Source 1: Met Éireann[71][72][73][74][75]
Source 2: NOAA(dew point)[76] WeatherAtlas (Daylight hours and UV Index)[77]
  1. ^ Weather station is located 8.2 kilometres (5.1 mi) from the Dublin city centre.
  2. ^ Extremes are recorded at multiple stations near Dublin, including Dublin Airport, Casement, Phoenix Park, Merrion Square, Glasnevin, Peamount and Trinity College.
Climate data for Belfast International Airport
WMO ID: 03917; coordinates 54°39′50″N 6°13′30″W / 54.66376°N 6.22512°W / 54.66376; -6.22512 (BFS); elevation: 63 m (207 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.5
(58.1) 		15.6
(60.1) 		20.2
(68.4) 		21.8
(71.2) 		26.1
(79.0) 		29.5
(85.1) 		30.8
(87.4) 		28.0
(82.4) 		27.1
(80.8) 		21.8
(71.2) 		17.1
(62.8) 		15.0
(59.0) 		30.8
(87.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.3
(45.1) 		7.9
(46.2) 		9.7
(49.5) 		12.3
(54.1) 		15.2
(59.4) 		17.6
(63.7) 		19.1
(66.4) 		18.7
(65.7) 		16.6
(61.9) 		13.1
(55.6) 		9.8
(49.6) 		7.6
(45.7) 		12.9
(55.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5) 		4.9
(40.8) 		6.3
(43.3) 		8.5
(47.3) 		11.2
(52.2) 		13.8
(56.8) 		15.4
(59.7) 		15.2
(59.4) 		13.2
(55.8) 		10.2
(50.4) 		7.1
(44.8) 		5.0
(41.0) 		9.6
(49.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8) 		2.0
(35.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		4.7
(40.5) 		7.1
(44.8) 		9.9
(49.8) 		11.8
(53.2) 		11.7
(53.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		7.2
(45.0) 		4.4
(39.9) 		2.4
(36.3) 		6.4
(43.5)
Record low °C (°F) −12.8
(9.0) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−12.2
(10.0) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−3.3
(26.1) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		2.2
(36.0) 		1.1
(34.0) 		−2.2
(28.0) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−8.6
(16.5) 		−14.9
(5.2) 		−14.9
(5.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 77.0
(3.03) 		63.3
(2.49) 		60.6
(2.39) 		55.6
(2.19) 		55.9
(2.20) 		68.0
(2.68) 		78.8
(3.10) 		84.5
(3.33) 		69.2
(2.72) 		88.0
(3.46) 		87.7
(3.45) 		83.5
(3.29) 		872.0
(34.33)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.7 13.2 13.0 12.0 11.6 11.9 14.1 14.2 12.1 14.0 15.5 15.2 161.3
Average snowy days 5 5 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 19
Average relative humidity (%) 89 87 88 89 90 90 90 92 92 91 90 89 91
Mean monthly sunshine hours 48.7 72.1 108.4 157.8 197.9 167.6 152.0 146.4 121.5 91.2 61.3 47.1 1,372
Source 1: Met Office[78] NOAA (relative humidity and snow days 1961–-1990)[79]
Source 2: KNMI[80][81] Starlings Roost Weather[82][83]


Political and human geography

[edit]
Further information: Counties of Ireland

Ireland is divided into four provinces—Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster—and 32 counties.[84] Six of the nine Ulster counties form Northern Ireland and the other 26 form the state, Ireland. The map shows all 32 counties.

See caption (Republic of) Ireland
  1. Dublin
  2. Wicklow
  3. Wexford
  4. Carlow
  5. Kildare
  6. Meath
  7. Louth
  8. Monaghan
  9. Cavan
  10. Longford
  11. Westmeath
  12. Offaly
  13. Laois
  14. Kilkenny
  15. Waterford
  16. Cork
  17. Kerry
  1. Limerick
  2. Tipperary
  3. Clare
  4. Galway
  5. Mayo
  6. Roscommon
  7. Sligo
  8. Leitrim
  9. Donegal

Northern Ireland

  1. Fermanagh
  2. Tyrone
  3. Londonderry (Derry)
  4. Antrim
  5. Down
  6. Armagh

From an administrative viewpoint, 23 of the counties in the Republic of Ireland are local government areas. Three contain more than one local government areas: the cities of Dublin, Cork and Galway have city councils and are administered separately from the counties bearing those names, and the remaining part of County Dublin is divided into Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin.[84] There are therefore a total of 31 local authorities.[85]

County Tipperary had two ridings, North Tipperary and South Tipperary, originally established in 1838, renamed in 2001[86] and amalgamated in 2014.[87] The cities of Limerick and Waterford were merged with their respective county councils in 2014 to form new city and county councils.

In making its recommendations on changes to Dáil constituencies, the Electoral Commission is required to avoid breaching county boundaries as far as practicable.[88]

In Northern Ireland, a major re-organisation of local government in 1973 replaced the six traditional counties and two county boroughs (Belfast and Derry) by 26 single-tier districts,[89] which, apart from Fermanagh cross the traditional county boundaries. The six counties and two county-boroughs remain in use for purposes such as Lieutenancy. In November 2005, proposals were announced which would see the number of local authorities reduced to seven.[90] The island's total population was nearly 7 million people concentrated in the east and south, particularly in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and their surrounding areas in the 2011 (RoI) and 2012 (NI) Census.[91][92] That figure had increased to 7,054,314 in the 2012 (NI) and 2022 (RoI) census.[93][94]

Natural resources

[edit]
Main article: Natural resources of Ireland

Fens and bogs

[edit]
See caption
Bord na Móna peat-harvesting in the Bog of Allen

Ireland has 12,000 km2 (about 4,600 sq miles) of bog land,[95] consisting of two distinct types: blanket bogs and raised bogs. There is also a modest amount of surviving fen, a related landform.[96]: 5–12 

Raised bogs, most commonly found in the Shannon basin, are scarcer than blanket bogs. They formed when depressions left behind after the ice age filled with water to form lakes. Debris from reeds in these lakes formed a layer of at the bottom of the water. This eventually choked the lakes and raised above the surface, forming raised bogs.[96]: 5–10 [97]

Blanket bogs are essentially a product of human activity aided by the moist Irish climate, having formed on sites where Neolithic farmers cleared trees for farming.[98] As the land so cleared fell into disuse, the soil began to leach and become more acidic, producing a suitable environment for the growth of heather and rushes. The debris from these plants accumulated and a layer of peat formed. One of the largest expanses of Atlantic blanket bog in Ireland is to be found in County Mayo.[96]: 10–12 [98]

Usage and concerns

[edit]

Since the 17th century, peat has been cut for fuel for domestic heating and cooking, and it is called turf when so used. The process accelerated as commercial exploitation of bogs grew. In the 1940s, machines for cutting turf were introduced and larger-scale harvesting became possible. In the Republic, this became the responsibility of a semi-state company called Bord na Móna. In addition to domestic uses, commercially extracted turf is used in a number of industries, producing peat briquettes for domestic fuel and milled peat for electricity generation.[99] More recently peat is being combined with biomass for dual-firing electricity generation.[100]

In recent years, the destruction of bogs has raised environmental concerns. The issue is particularly acute for raised bogs which were more widely mined as they yield a higher-grade fuel than blanket bogs. Plans are now in place in both the Republic and Northern Ireland to conserve most of the remaining raised bogs on the island.[101]

Oil, natural gas and minerals

[edit]
See caption
The Corrib gas project pipeline makes landfall at Glengad, County Mayo

Ireland is the largest European producer of zinc, with one zinc-lead mine currently in operation at Tara, which is Europe's largest and deepest active mine. Other mineral deposits with actual or potential commercial value include gold, silver, gypsum, talc, calcite, dolomite, roofing slate, limestone aggregate, building stone, sand, and gravel.[102]

Hydrocarbons

[edit]

Offshore exploration for natural gas began in 1970.[103] The first major discovery was the Kinsale Head gas field in 1971.[104] Next were the smaller Ballycotton gas field in 1989,[103] and the Corrib gas field in 1996.[105] Gas from these fields is pumped ashore and used for both domestic and industrial purposes. The Helvick oil field, estimated to contain over 28 million barrels (4,500,000 m3) of oil, was discovered in 2000, and Barryroe, estimated to contain 1.6 billion barrels (250,000,000 m3) of oil, was discovered in 2012, although neither have been exploited.[106] In May 2007 the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (now replaced by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources) reported that there may be volumes over 130 billion barrels (2.1×1010 m3) of petroleum and 50 trillion cubic feet (1,400 km3) of natural gas in Irish waters[107] – worth trillions of Euro, if true. The minimum confirmed amount of oil in the Irish Atlantic waters is 10 billion barrels (1.6×109 m3), worth over €450 billion. There are also areas of petroleum and natural gas on shore, for example the Lough Allen basin, with 9.4 trillion cubic feet (270 km3) of gas and 1.5 billion barrels (240,000,000 m3) of oil, valued at €74.4 billion. Already some fields are being exploited, such as the Spanish Point field, with 1.25 trillion cubic feet (35 km3) of gas and 206 million barrels (32,800,000 m3) of oil, valued at €19.6 billion. The Corrib Basin is also quite large, worth anything up to €87 billion, while the Dunquin gas field, initially estimated to have 25 trillion cubic feet (710 km3) of natural gas and 4.13 billion barrels (657,000,000 m3) of petroleum[107] but 2012 revised estimates suggest only 14 trillion cubic feet (400 km3) of natural gas and .5 billion barrels (79,000,000 m3) of oil condensate.[108]

In March 2012, the first commercial oil well was drilled 70 km (43 mi) off the Cork coast by Providence Resources, renamed Barryroe Offshore.[109] At the time, Providence's executive Tony O'Reilly Jr. said, "It's a defining moment for the Irish offshore oil and gas industry."[110] The Barryroe oil well was yielding 3,500 barrels per day in exploratory drilling; at oil prices of $120 a barrel, Barryroe oil well was worth in excess of €2.14bn annually in 2012.[111] However, in 2023, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications declined approval of the "Lease Undertaking" that would be necessary to finish appraisal drilling, and Barryroe Offshore Energy will now wind down their business by a voluntary liquidation so the field may not be developed. Legal action may be taken by investors against the Irish government including the minor 20% investor Lansdowne Oil & Gas.[109][112]

Renewable energy

[edit]
Main articles: Renewable energy in the Republic of Ireland and Wind power in Ireland

Under the original 2009 Renewable Energy Directive the Republic of Ireland had set a target of producing 16% of all its energy needs from renewable energy sources by 2020 but in 2018 the second Renewable Energy Directive increased the target to 32% by 2030. Between 2005 and 2014 the percentage of energy from renewable energy sources grew from just 3.1% to 8.6% of total final consumption. By 2020 the overall renewable energy share was 13.5%, short of its Renewable Energy Drive target of 16%.[113] Renewable electricity accounted for 69% of all renewable energy used in 2020, up from two thirds (66.8%) in 2019.[113]

Wind

[edit]
Main article: Wind power in Ireland
Geography of Ireland is located in Ireland
Arklow Bank
Arklow Bank
Altagowlan
Altagowlan
Anarget
Anarget
Astellas
Astellas
Ballincollig Hill
Ballincollig Hill
Ballinlough/Ikerrin
Ballinlough/Ikerrin
Ballinveny
Ballinveny
Ballybane
Ballybane
Ballymartin
Ballymartin
Ballywater
Ballywater
Bawnmore
Bawnmore
Barnesmore
Barnesmore
Beal Hill
Beal Hill
Beallough
Beallough
Beam Hill
Beam Hill
Beenageeha
Beenageeha
Bellacorick
Bellacorick
Bindoo
Bindoo
Black Banks
Black Banks
Boggeragh
Boggeragh
Booltiagh
Booltiagh
Burtonport
Burtonport
Caherdowney
Caherdowney
Caranne Hill
Caranne Hill
\Cark
\Cark
Carnsore
Carnsore
Carrigcannon
Carrigcannon
Carrig
Carrig
Carrons
Carrons
Castledockrell
Castledockrell
Clydaghroe
Clydaghroe
Coomacheo 1
Coomacheo 1
Coomacheo 2
Coomacheo 2
Coomatallin
Coomatallin
Cornacahan
Cornacahan
Corneen
Corneen
Corry Mountain
Corry Mountain
Crocane
Crocane
Crockahenny
Crockahenny
Cronalaght
Cronalaght
Cronelea
Cronelea
Cronelea Upper
Cronelea Upper
Cuillalea
Cuillalea
Culliagh
Culliagh
Curragh, Co Cork
Curragh, Co Cork
Curraghgraigue
Curraghgraigue
Derrybrien
Derrybrien
Derrynadivva
Derrynadivva
Dromada
Dromada
Drumlough
Drumlough
Drybridge/Dunmore
Drybridge/Dunmore
Dundalk
Dundalk
Dunmore
Dunmore
Flughland
Flughland
Gartnaneane
Gartnaneane
Geevagh
Geevagh
Glackmore
Glackmore
Glenough
Glenough
Gortahaile
Gortahaile
Grouse Lodge
Grouse Lodge
Garracummer
Garracummer
Gneeves
Gneeves
Greenoge
Greenoge
Inverin
Inverin
Kealkill
Kealkill
Kilgarvan
Kilgarvan
Kilgarvan Extension
Kilgarvan Extension
Killybegs
Killybegs
Kilronan
Kilronan
Kilvinane
Kilvinane
Kingsmountain
Kingsmountain
Knockastanna
Knockastanna
Knockawarriga
Knockawarriga
Lacka Cross
Lacka Cross
Lackan
Lackan
Lahanaght Hill
Lahanaght Hill
Largan Hill
Largan Hill
Lenanavea
Lenanavea
Lisheen
Lisheen
Loughderryduff
Loughderryduff
Lurganboy
Lurganboy
Mace Upper
Mace Upper
Meenachullalan
Meenachullalan
Meenadreen and Meentycat
Meenadreen and Meentycat
Meenanilta
Meenanilta
Glanlee Midas
Glanlee Midas
Mienvee
Mienvee
Milane Hill
Milane Hill
Moanmore
Moanmore
Moneenatieve
Moneenatieve
Mount Eagle
Mount Eagle
Mount Lucas
Mount Lucas
Mountain Lodge
Mountain Lodge
Mullananalt
Mullananalt
Muingnaminnane
Muingnaminnane
Pallas
Pallas
Raheen Barr
Raheen Barr
Rahora
Rahora
Rathmooney
Rathmooney
Reenascreena
Reenascreena
Richfield
Richfield
Seltanaveeny
Seltanaveeny
Shannagh
Shannagh
Sheeragh
Sheeragh
Skehanagh
Skehanagh
Skrine
Skrine
Snugborough
Snugborough
Sonnagh Old
Sonnagh Old
Sorne Hill
Sorne Hill
Spion Kop
Spion Kop
Slieveragh
Slieveragh
Taurbeg
Taurbeg
Tournafulla
Tournafulla
Tullynamoyle
Tullynamoyle
Tursillagh
Tursillagh
Slieve Rushen
Slieve Rushen
Lendrum's Bridge
Lendrum's Bridge
Callagheen
Callagheen
Hunter's Hill
Hunter's Hill
Slieve Divena
Slieve Divena
Tappaghan Mountain
Tappaghan Mountain
Lough Hill
Lough Hill
Balloo Wood
Balloo Wood
Brett Martin
Brett Martin
Bessy Bell
Bessy Bell
Bin Mountain
Bin Mountain
Bessy Bell
Bessy Bell
Wolf Bog
Wolf Bog
Owenreagh
Owenreagh
Elliot's Hill
Elliot's Hill
Altahullion
Altahullion
Rigged Hill
Rigged Hill
Corkey
Corkey
Gruig
Gruig
Garves Mountain
Garves Mountain
Ulster University
Ulster University
class=notpageimage|
Locations of wind farms on and around the island of Ireland

While hydro generated power contributed most to Ireland's renewable energy during the 20th century, so far in the 21st century there has been a significant increase in the production of energy by wind spurred by climate change concerns.[114]

Bellacorick wind farm, built by Bord na Móna in 1992, was the first Irish wind farm with an individual turbine capacity of 0.3MW which compared with the current capacity of 4–5MW means that when turbines age out, replacements will produce significantly more power per installation. As of 2022 the Republic of Ireland had more than 300 wind farms but the number will have to double by 2030 if the current 40% of renewable energy is to double. Most of the energy will have to come from inshore wind farms because the sole offshore wind farm, Arklow Bank Wind Park, only produces 0.6% of the nation's total wind energy. The 80% target is an ambitious aspect of the Climate Action Plan some impediments, such as planning permission and the age of existing wind farms, may hinder this aspiration.[115]

A floating 400MW wind farm off the coast of Northern Ireland was proposed for the North Channel in 2022 to be operating by 2029.[116] Another northern project, opened in October 2023, was set up under a corporate power purchase agreement in which Amazon, who backed the project, will be the off-taker of all the power produced by the 16-MW Ballykeel 7-turbine wind farm in County Antrim.[117]

In November 2023, EDF Renewables announced their Carrowkeel Wind Farm which will be a 30MW project for County Roscommon for completion in 2028 which should power more than 20,000 homes.[118]

Solar energy

[edit]

As of the 2020 Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland report "Energy in Ireland", solar energy was only contributing 1% of renewable energy. Opposition to the visual impact of solar farms, and other forms of renewable energy, was noted as hindering some projects. DIT School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering's Professor Barry McMullin suggests that: "So while it's the cheapest form of electricity you can get that's only true if your demand for it happens to match when it's available. But if what you actually want is electricity on tap, then solar PV doesn't give you that".[119]

Solar energy for about 3,600 homes has been in production with 33,600 solar modules installed on 25 hectares near Ashford, County Wicklow since April 2022. It is the first such venture at scale in the Republic of Ireland, with a capacity of 8MW.[120] A forecast from ESB Networks suggests that by the end of 2023, the country will be producing 1GW. This is up from the 700MW being produced in mid-summer from 60,000 micro-generation customers, adding to the 371MWs of utility-scale installations.[121] 2013 saw a new 50 million Euro solar panel scheme specially for schools in eleven counties of the Republic, that should save typical schools between €1,200 to €1,600 per year. Connected to the grid, the up-to 6 kilowatt installation will be most efficient when the schools are not in use.[122]

The first ground-based solar farm on the island is situated in the townland of Crookedstone, County Antrim, and is connected to Belfast International Airport, providing 27% of the airport's annual energy needs.[123] This wind farm was built by Lightsource and BP bought full control of the company in November 2023 having first invested in the company in 2017.[124]

Hydroelectric power

[edit]
See caption
The lower reservoir of the Turlough Hill pumped-storage scheme

The first Shannon hydroelectric scheme was constructed in 1929 within seven years of independence. Built by Siemens-Schuckert with Irish engineers doing much of the design and using mostly Irish labour, it has an 86MW capacity and has an annual generation capacity of 332GWh.[125] This was followed up by the much larger Turlough Hill Power Station, the only pumped-storage built into a mountain with a capacity of 292MW. It was completed in 1974 after 6 years of construction.[126] A few other smaller hydroelectric stations exist around the Republic of Ireland, such as Pollaphuca[127] and Inniscarra Dam.[128] Catherine Halpin, Ardnacrusha's plant manager, suggests the four main hydro plants are availing of about 70% of the country's water resources.[129]

A tidal energy system is in operation since 2008 in Strangford Lough producing 1.2MW using an underwater windmill, whose rotors at driven by the tidal currents. The power is bought for ESB Independent's Republic and Northern Ireland consumers. The system has a capacity to produce enough electricity for about 1,000 homes.[130] Also in Northern Ireland, an Evopod tidal energy system has been tested and connected to the Marine Laboratory of Queen's University Belfast that should be connected to the electric grid.[131]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Nolan, Professor William. "Geography of Ireland". Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
  2. ^ Ryan, Nicky (28 October 2013). "Complex politics or simple geography: Is Ireland part of the British Isles?". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  3. ^ Davies, Alistair; Sinfield, Alan (2000), British Culture of the Postwar: An Introduction to Literature and Society, 1945–1999, Routledge, p. 9, ISBN 978-0-415-12811-7, Many of the Irish dislike the 'British' in 'British Isles', while the Welsh and Scottish are not keen on 'Great Britain'. ... In response to these difficulties, 'Britain and Ireland' is becoming preferred usage although there is a growing trend amounts some critics to refer to Britain and Ireland as 'the archipelago'.
  4. ^ "Site Synopsis (Inishtrahull)" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  5. ^ Woodcock, N. H. (2000). Geological History of Britain and Ireland. Blackwell Publishing. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-632-03656-1. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  6. ^ Daly, J. Stephen (1996). "Pre-Caledonian History of the Annagh Gneiss Complex North-Western Ireland, and Correlation with Laurentia-Baltica". Irish Journal of Earth Sciences. 15. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy: 5–18. JSTOR 30002311.
  7. ^ Woodcock, N. H. (1994). Geology and Environment in Britain and Ireland. CRC Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-85728-054-8.
  8. ^ Moody, Theodore William; Francis John Byrne; Francis X Martin; Art Cosgrove (2005). A New History of Ireland. Oxford University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-19-821737-4. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  9. ^ Foster, John Wilson; Helena C. G. Chesney (1998). Nature in Ireland: A Scientific and Cultural History. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7735-1817-9.
  10. ^ "Bog of Allen". Ask About Ireland. Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  11. ^ "Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast". Unesco World Heritage Sites. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  12. ^ Brittle tectonism in relation to the Palaeogene evolution of the Thulean/NE Atlantic domain: a study in Ulster (Subscription required) Retrieved on 10 November 2007
  13. ^ Deegan, Gordon (27 May 1999). "Blasting threatens future of stalactite". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  14. ^ a b c Simms, Michael J.; Coxon, Peter (2017). "The Pre-Quaternary Landscape of Ireland". In Coxon, Peter; McCarron, Stephen; Mitchell, Fraser (eds.). Advances in Irish Quaternary Studies. Atlantis Advances in Quaternary Science. Atlantis Press. pp. 19–42. ISBN 978-94-6239-219-9.
  15. ^ a b c Mitchell, G.F. (1980). "The search for Tertiary Ireland". Journal of Earth Sciences Royal Dublin Society. 3: 13–33.
  16. ^ Miller, A.A. (1955). "The origin of the South Ireland Peneplane". Irish Geography. 3 (2): 79–86. doi:10.1080/00750775509555491.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g O Duinin, Padraig. Second Atlas for Irish Schools (3rd ed.). The Educational Company of Ireland. p. 5.
  18. ^ a b Fraser, James (1849). A Hand Book for Travellers to Ireland (6th thousand ("enlarged and corrected") ed.). Dublin: James McGlashan (with William Orr & Co.).
  19. ^ a b McCormack, Gareth (2016). The Mountains of Ireland. Dublin: The Collins Press.
  20. ^ "Glen of Aherlow". Glen of Aherlow Fáilte Society. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Ordnance Survey FAQs". Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
  22. ^ "500 m Irish Mountains". MountainViews.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  23. ^ "When Erin First Rose". libraryireland.com. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
  24. ^ Maurer, Erin (15 March 2018). "What Is 'The Emerald Isle?'". USA Today. Archived from the original on 25 October 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Emerald Isle: Ireland from Space". Live Science. 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  26. ^ Sharkey, Nova (2018). "Ecosystem accounts – Rivers and Lakes by Extent". Central Statistics Office.
  27. ^ "Your water is safe to drink". Northern Ireland Water. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Chapter 2: Study Area" (PDF). Biology and Management of European Eel (Anguilla anguilla, L) in the Shannon Estuary, Ireland. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  29. ^ Mac Cárthaigh, Micheál (January 2011), Comprehensive study of Riverine Inputs: Details of hydrometric stations, sampling stations: Table 2 (PDF), Dublin: Irish Environmental Agency, p. 17, archived from the original (PDF) on 28 February 2021
  30. ^ a b Joyce, P.W. (1900). "Description of County Donegal". Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland. Archived from the original on 1 January 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  31. ^ a b Joyce, P.W. (1900). "Description of County Down". Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  32. ^ Joyce, P.W. (1900). "Description of County Wexford". Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  33. ^ Joyce, P.W. (1900). "Description of County Waterford". Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland. Archived from the original on 31 December 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  34. ^ "Surveys – Cork Harbour and Coast". Integrated Mapping For the Sustainable Development of Ireland's Marine Resource (INFOMAR). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  35. ^ Murray, N.J.; Phinn, S.R.; DeWitt, M.; Ferrari, R.; Johnston, R.; Lyons, M.B.; Clinton, N.; Thau, D.; Fuller, R.A. (2019). "The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats". Nature. 565 (7738): 222–225. doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8. PMID 30568300. S2CID 56481043. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Malin Head". Weather Observing Stations. Met Éireann. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2008.
  37. ^ "Carnsore Point". South Wexford Coast. 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Coastal overview for Rosslare Harbour to Cork Harbour". Sailing routes. eOceanic.com. 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Coastal Overview for Mizen Head to Loop Head". Sailing routes. eOceanic.com. 2023. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  40. ^ "Coastal Overview for Loop Head to Slyne Head". Sailing routes. eOceanic.com. 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  41. ^ Walsh, David; Sean Pierce (2004). Oileain: A Guide to the Irish Islands. Pesda Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-9531956-9-5.
  42. ^ "Valentia Island". Irish Tourisn.com. 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  43. ^ "Omey Island:Discover the mysterious tidal island in Connemara". The Islands. 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023 – via galwaytourism.ie.
  44. ^ "Kerry". Geography and Travel. Britannica.com. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  45. ^ "Adventures in Inishowen: Ireland's dream peninsula". The Independent. London. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  46. ^ Swan, Henry Percival (1938). The Book of Inishowen: A Guide Book and Conspectus of Information Relating to the Barony of Inishowen, County Donegal. Buncrana, County Donegal: W. Doherty (printers).
  47. ^ "Inishowen Peninsula". via ireland.com. Tourism Ireland. 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  48. ^ "Written Answers: Rockall Island". Dáil Éireann Debates. Oireachtas. 24 March 2011. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  49. ^ "Light on a Lonely Rock". The Economist. 18 December 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  50. ^ Ptolemy, Geog., Bk. 2, Ch. 1 & 2.
  51. ^ Sullivan, Arthur (27 July 2018). "Ireland's forests: Watching a vanished world return". Environment. Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  52. ^ "National Forestry Inventory, Second Cycle 2012". DAFM. Archived from the original on 18 October 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  53. ^ "Forestry and Woodland in Ireland". Irish Wildlife Trust. February 2018. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  54. ^ Grantham H.S. et al. (2020) "Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 5978. Bibcode:2020NatCo..11.5978G. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7723057. PMID 33293507.
  55. ^ Neilson, Brigitte; Costello, Mark J. (22 April 1999). "The Relative Lengths of Seashore Substrata Around the Coastline of Ireland as Determined by Digital Methods in a Geographical Information System". Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 49 (4). Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin: 501–508. Bibcode:1999ECSS...49..501N. doi:10.1006/ecss.1999.0507. S2CID 128982465. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  56. ^ "The Real Map of Ireland | Marine Institute". marine.ie. Archived from the original on 31 March 2024. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  57. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen–Geiger climate classification" (PDF). Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11 (5): 1633–1644. Bibcode:2007HESS...11.1633P. doi:10.5194/hess-11-1633-2007. ISSN 1027-5606. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  58. ^ a b "Climate of Ireland". Met Éireann. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  59. ^ McCarthy, G. D., Gleeson, E. and Walsh, S. (2015) The influence of the Ocean on the Climate of Ireland. Weather. 70, 8, 242–245, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wea.2543/abstract Archived 17 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  60. ^ "Climate". Education in Ireland. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  61. ^ "Exceptional weather events: Tornado" (PDF). Met Éireann. 1995. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  62. ^ "Met Éireann Weather Warning System Explained". Met Éireann. 2017. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  63. ^ Devoy, R.J.N. (2008). Coastal vulnerability and the implications of sea-level rise for Ireland. Journal of Coastal Research, 24(2) pp. 327–331
  64. ^ "Rainfall in Ireland". Met Éireann. 2017. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  65. ^ Curley, M.; Coonan, B.; Ruth, C.E.; Ryan, C. (2023). Ireland's Climate Averages 1991–2020 (Climatological Note No. 22). Dublin: Met Éireann.
  66. ^ "Sunshine in Ireland". Met Éireann. Archived from the original on 3 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  67. ^ Grant, Alistair; Bray, Allison (10 September 2011). "Hurricane Alert – Storm winds coming as Katia moves in". Irish Independent. Independent Newspapers. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  68. ^ "Evidence of storms". Irish Examiner. 13 February 2014. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  69. ^ "Exceptional weather events" (PDF). Met Éireann. 1985. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 April 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  70. ^ "UK regional climates". Met Office. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
  71. ^ "Dublin Airport 1991–2020 averages". Met Éireann. Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  72. ^ "Historical Data - Monthly Average (1991-2020) - Dublin Airport (mly532)". Met Éireann. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  73. ^ "Absolute Maximum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations" (PDF). Met Éireann. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  74. ^ "Absolute Minimum Air Temperatures for each Month at Selected Stations" (PDF). Met Éireann. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  75. ^ "Temperature records broken as Met Éireann establish new Climate Services Division". Met Éireann. Archived from the original on 18 July 2022. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  76. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Dublin Airport" (XLSX). ncei.noaa.gov. National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved 16 April 2024. WMO number: 03969
  77. ^ "Monthly weather forecast and Climate – Dublin, Ireland". Weather Atlas. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  78. ^ "Belfast International Airport 1991–2020 Averages". Met Office. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  79. ^ "Belfast International Airport 1961–1990". NOAA. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  80. ^ "Belfast International Airpoirt (Aldergrove) extreme values". KNMI. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  81. ^ "Belfast International Airpoirt 1981-2010 average extreme values". KNMI. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  82. ^ "Monthly Extreme Maximum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  83. ^ "Monthly Extreme Minimum Temperature". Starlings Roost Weather. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  84. ^ a b Placenames (Counties and Provinces) Order 2003 (S.I. No. 519 of 2003). Signed on 30 October 2003 by Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  85. ^ "What local authorities do". Local Government Jobs. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  86. ^ Callanan, Mark; Keogan, Justin F. (2003). Local Government in Ireland: Inside Out. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-902448-93-0.
  87. ^ "Tipperary County Council: General News". 3 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014. Tipperary County Council will become an official unified authority on 3 June 2014. The new authority combines the existing administration of North Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary County Council.
  88. ^ Electoral Reform Act 2022, s. 57: Constituency review reports (No. 30 of 2022, s. 57). Enacted on 25 July 2022. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 10 February 2023.
  89. ^ "Local Government Policy Division Structure". Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
  90. ^ "Major reform of local government Archived 20 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine". news.bbc.co.ik, 22 November 2005. Retrieved on 23 January 2007.
  91. ^ "Population of each Province, County and City, 2011". Principal Statistics. Central Statistics Office Ireland. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  92. ^ "Provisional Population Statistics for New 11 Districts, 2011/2012" (PDF). Population Statistics. NISRA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  93. ^ "Information on Census 2021 in Northern Ireland". 2021 Census. NISRA. 30 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  94. ^ "Press Statement Census of Population 2022 – Summary Results". Census of Population 2022. Central Statistics Office Ireland. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  95. ^ Abbot, Patrick. "Ireland's Peat Bogs". The Ireland Story. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
  96. ^ a b c O'Connell, Catherine, ed. (1987). The IPCC Guide to Irish Peatlands. Contributors include Cross, John (Peatland Exploitation in the Republic of Ireland), Craig, Alan (Peatlands in the National Parks), Foss, Peter (The Distribution and Formation of Irish Peatlands), Viney, Michael (The Inspiration of Peatlands); illustrated by Colman O Criodain, Edwin Wymer, Pauline Bewick. Irish Peatland Conservation Council. ISBN 978-0-9512709-0-5.
  97. ^ "Raised Bogs". Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Archived from the original on 22 November 2013. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  98. ^ a b "Blanket Bogs". Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Archived from the original on 2 June 2006. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  99. ^ "Peat Energy History". Bord na Móna. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2008.
  100. ^ "Replacement of peat with Biomass in Electricity Generation". Feedstock. Bord na Móna. 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  101. ^ "Written Answers. – Raised Bog Conservation". Dáil Éireann Parliamentary Debates – Volume 487. Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas. 26 February 1998. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  102. ^ "Mining in Ireland". Minerals Ireland: Exploration and Mining Division. Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. 2009. Archived from the original on 17 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  103. ^ a b Shannon, Corcoran & Haughton (2001), The petroleum exploration of Ireland's offshore basins: introduction, Geological Society, London Lyell Collection—Special Publications, p 2
  104. ^ "Major petroleum exploration conference: Conference on Ireland's Deepwater Frontier". Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. 16 September 2001. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  105. ^ "History of the Corrib Project". Natural Resources. Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. 2015. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  106. ^ "Providence sees Helvick oil field as key site in Celtic Sea". Irish Examiner. 17 July 2000. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
  107. ^ a b "Ireland on the verge of an oil and gas bonanza". Irish Independent. 20 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  108. ^ Cresswell, Jeremy (1 October 2012). "Exxon to drill Irish Atlantic Frontier early next year". EnergyVoice. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  109. ^ a b Perkins, Robert (22 May 2023). "Ireland blocks offshore Barryroe oil, gas project sparking legal challenge". S&P Global. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  110. ^ Brennan, Joe (23 June 2023). "Cork oil-well explorer Barryroe faces wind-up if shareholders don't pony up once more". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  111. ^ "Ireland's first oil well to yield 4,000 barrels per day". Northern Ireland. BBC News. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  112. ^ "Barryroe Offshore Energy to Wind Up Operations after Setback in Irish Oil and Gas Project". Offshore Engineer. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  113. ^ a b "Renewables". Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  114. ^ "Developing renewable energy is central to Ireland's climate change strategy". Renewables. Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  115. ^ Sherlock, Cillian (3 January 2022). "Obstacles for Ireland to meet 2030 wind energy targets". News. RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  116. ^ Black, Rebecca (22 February 2022). "Multi-million pound floating wind farm proposed off Northern Ireland coast". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  117. ^ Djunisic, Sladjana (12 October 2023). "Ørsted opens Amazon-backed 16-MW wind farm in N Ireland". Wind News. Renewables Now. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  118. ^ Djunisic, Sladjana (9 November 2023). "EDF Renewables announces 30-MW wind farm project in Ireland". Wind News. Renewables Now. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  119. ^ Comerford Conway, Jordan (16 May 2022). "Solar Energy in Ireland: is it the way to go?". ClimateChange.ie. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  120. ^ Lee, George (29 April 2022). "Ireland's first large-scale solar farm opens in Wicklow". Environmental News. RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  121. ^ "Ireland's Solar Revolution". Irish Solar Energy Association. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  122. ^ O'Kelly, Emma (23 November 2023). "Rollout of €50m school solar panel programme to get under way". Ireland News. RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  123. ^ "Northern Ireland's First Large-Scale Solar Farm Connected". News & insights. Lightsource BP. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  124. ^ Campbell, John (30 November 2023). "Lisburn man Nick Boyle sells solar business Lightsource to BP". Northern Ireland Politics. BBC News. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  125. ^ "Ardnacrusha". ESB Group. 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  126. ^ "Turlough Hill". ESB Group. 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  127. ^ "Pollaphuca". ESB Group. 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  128. ^ "Inniscarra". ESB Group. 2023. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  129. ^ Doyle, Carmel (14 August 2012). "Ireland's Ardnacrusha hydro-electric power station – a clean-tech exemplar?". Innovation. Silicon Republic. Archived from the original on 30 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  130. ^ "Tidal energy system on full power". Northern Ireland News. BBC News. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  131. ^ Jeffcoate, Penny; Starzmann, Ralf; Elsaesser, Bjoern; Scholl, Stefan; Bischoff, Sarah (December 2015). "Field measurements of a full scale tidal turbine". International Journal of Marine Energy. 12. Elsevier: 3–20. Bibcode:2015IJME...12....3J. doi:10.1016/j.ijome.2015.04.002. ISSN 2214-1669. Archived from the original on 25 August 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.

Bibliography

[edit]

Print

[edit]
  • Mitchell, Frank and Ryan, Michael. Reading the Irish landscape (1998). ISBN 978-1-86059-055-9
  • Whittow, J. B. Geography and Scenery in Ireland (Penguin Books 1974)
  • Holland, Charles, H and Sanders, Ian S. The Geology of Ireland 2nd ed. (2009). ISBN 978-1-903765-72-2
  • Place-names, Diarmuid O Murchadha and Kevin Murray, in The Heritage of Ireland, ed. N. Buttimer et al., The Collins Press, Cork, 2000, pp. 146–155.
  • A paper landscape:the Ordnance Survey in nineteenth-century Ireland, J.H. Andrews, London, 1975
  • Monasticon Hibernicum, M. Archdall, 1786
  • Etymological aetiology in Irish tradition, R. Baumgarten, Eiru 41, pp. 115–122, 1990
  • The Origin and History of Irish names of Places, Patrick Weston Joyce, three volumes, Dublin, 1869, 1875, 1913.
  • Irish Place Names, D. Flanagan and L. Flanagan, Dublin, 1994
  • Census of Ireland:general alphabetical index to the townlands and towns, parishes and paronies of Ireland, Dublin, 1861
  • The Placenames of Westmeath, Paul Walsh, 1957
  • The Placenames of Decies, P. Power, Cork, 1952
  • The place-names of county Wicklow, Liam Price, seven volumes, Dublin, 1945–67

Online

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Geography of Ireland.
  • OSI FAQ – lists of the longest, highest and other statistics
  • A discussion on RTÉ Radio 1's science show Quantum Leap about the quality of GPS mapping in Ireland is available here (archived link). The discussion starts 8mins 18sec into the show. It aired on 18 Jan 2002 (archived link). Requires RealPlayer.

53°20.65′N 6°16.05′W / 53.34417°N 6.26750°W / 53.34417; -6.26750

Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 | Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ireland
4 views |
↧ Download as ZWI file
Encyclosphere.org EncycloReader is supported by the EncyclosphereKSF