Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004) on Irish helicopter search and rescue; and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010).
SFPA has "Highest Reputation in Europe" as Regulator - But Can't Sort Fish Landing Row in Killybegs, Oireachtas Committee Hears
20th May 2022 Fishing
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) was asked to explain why it couldn’t sort out the fish landings row in Killybegs, Co Donegal, at an Oireachtas committee meeting on Wednesday. “You’ve really significant powers, you’ve attained oversight of the factories…
The Irish Coast Guard is leading a “large-scale maritime exercise” off the Donegal coast today (Wednesday). The exercise, called “Blue Hills”, will test major incident plans, it says. It will also focus on the operational capability and co-ordination of the…
The European Commission says it has approved a €5 million Irish scheme to support "charity operators" of helicopter emergency medical services in Ireland affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The aid will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary; and will be…
The Fingal Swim Fest on north Dublin’s Donabate/Portrane peninsula and Mayo’s River Moy Swim are among events taking place in June for Swim Ireland’s new open water programme. The Enniscrone Pier swim in Sligo on July 3rd, Youghal Swim Fest…
Irish Coast Guard Training Exercise in Galway Bay Deferred Until Resources Permit (Updated)
17th May 2022 Coastguard
A planned exercise to simulate searching for a missing paddleboarder in Galway Bay has been rescheduled to a later date. The simulated mission involving Irish Coast Guard helicopters and shore units, the RNLI and the Marine Institute was due to take place…
New RNLI Clifden Lifeboat Due with Names of 10,000 Loved Ones On Its Hull
13th May 2022 Wavelength Podcast
A newly built all-weather lifeboat with over 10,000 names on its hull which is due to arrive at the RNLI’s Clifden station in Connemara on Saturday has already recorded its first rescue mission. The Shannon-class lifeboat named St Christopher escorted…
Is Derry on the island of Ireland? That’s a question being asked by fishing industry representatives in a bitter row over how the State’s sea fisheries regulator has been handling landings of valuable blue whiting. The Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation…
Former Army Ranger Henry O'Donnell Completes First Solo Finswim Around Ireland
8th May 2022 Sea Swim
Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O’Donnell has become the first man to finswim around Ireland. The solo swimmer completed 1,569 kilometres, equivalent to 847 nautical miles, when he landed at Carrickfin beach in the Donegal…
Slipping out into Galway Bay before sunrise, several traditional craft from Galway Hooker Sailing Club participated in the Darkness into Light national fundraiser on Saturday. “When a community comes together, it’s amazing what can be done,” the club said after…
A French yawl built from a late 18th-century replica will be on display in Galway as part of a “Mini Brittany Fest” which runs from May 7th to 14th. Mayor of Lorient Fabrice Loher will lead a delegation to Galway…
Mapping Ireland's Seabed and Predicting Flooding Themes of Geological "Open Day"
6th May 2022 Marine Science
Mapping Ireland’s seabed, how scientists predict flooding and how to grow your own volcano are themes of an open day hosted by the Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI) and National Museum of Ireland this weekend. The free “Down to Earth”…
The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) and the EU’s agency for the space programme (EUSPA) have signed a cooperation agreement for an initial two years. The memorandum of understanding will allow the EFCA to benefit from Galileo, the European global…
Irish Wildlife Trust Questions Why MEPs Did Not Support Ban on Bottom Trawling in Marine Protected Areas
5th May 2022 Marine Wildlife
The Irish Wildlife Trust has welcomed a European Parliament report calling for action on bottom trawling but has questioned why most MEPs did not support a ban on the fishing technique in marine protected areas (MPAs). A report by Portuguese…
Oyster Reefs a Natural Solution to Storm Surges and Coastal Protection - NUI Galway study
3rd May 2022 Marine Science
There are many reasons to love oysters, and now an NUI Galway scientist has suggested another one. Apart from its nutritional benefits, the shellfish also provides a cost-effective solution to the impacts of climate change. Natural reefs built from oysters…
Six River Catchments the Focus of €20m Project to Improve Water Quality
2nd May 2022 Inland Waterways
Six river catchments are the focus of a 20 million euro project to reverse long term decline in Ireland’s “high status” waters. The Waters of LIFE project involves 16 partners, including government departments, state agencies, local authorities, and local development…
Galway Bay Environment to Benefit from New Wastewater Treatment at An Spidéal
1st May 2022 Galway Harbour
Water quality in Galway Bay may be improved when a new wastewater treatment plant is completed in An Spidéal next year, Minister for Housing and Local Government Darragh O’Brien has predicted. The project will eliminate the discharge of more than…
State Sea Fisheries Regulator Defends its Actions in Continuing Row over Blue Whiting Landings in Donegal
30th April 2022 Fishing
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed that it has withdrawn permits for two fish processors in the continuing row over weighing of pelagic landings. The SFPA also says it will “not accept the misuse” of the weigh after…
Four new rowing boats have been named in tribute to alumni and current student athletes at NUI Galway. Chris O’Dea and the late Dr Donagh O’Donoghue, both of whom are former rowers with Coláiste Iognáid and NUI Galway Boat Club,…
Dun Laoghaire Senator Calls for More Transparent and Accountable Marine Casualty Investigation Board
30th April 2022 MCIB
Dun Laoghaire senator Victor Boyhan has called for a more transparent and accountable Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). He has also called for a new mechanism to appoint members to the MCIB board. Speaking during a debate on the Merchant…
Water Quality May Benefit from New Scheme to treat Waste Water in Smaller Communities
28th April 2022 Coastal Notes
Water quality may benefit from a new 50 million euro funding scheme to provide treatment in small communities without access to public wastewater infrastructure. Some 547 villages and settlements may be eligible for the scheme which aims to reduce risks…
