Lorna Siggins
Lorna Siggins is a print and radio reporter, and a former Irish Times western correspondent. She is the author of Search and Rescue: True stories of Irish Air-Sea Rescues and the Loss of R116 (2022); Everest Callling (1994) on the first Irish Everest expedition; Mayday! Mayday! (2004); and Once Upon a Time in the West: the Corrib gas controversy (2010). She is also co-producer with Sarah Blake of the Doc on One "Miracle in Galway Bay" which recently won a Celtic Media Award
Tidal Energy the Theme of NUI Galway’s First "Global Challenges" Project
9th March 2022 Power From the Sea
Exploring development of the “next generation” tidal energy technology is the theme of a new project initiated by NUI Galway (NUIG). The university says the tidal energy project is part of its “Global Challenges” programme, a targeted research initiative to…
Climate Action Work in Marine in Developing Countries May Qualify for New Grants under €1m Scheme
9th March 2022 Marine Science
Irish companies, researchers and NGOs involved in climate action supporting oceans and a “sustainable blue economy” in developing countries could qualify for grants under a new €1m government fund. Work in small island developing states may also qualify if related…
Environmental Network Hits out at Government's "Hotch-Potch" Draft River Basin Management Plan
9th March 2022 Marine Planning
The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) has hit out at the Government’s draft plan for managing Ireland’s inland and coastal waters. The network of 25 environmental organisations says the River Basin Management Plan is “completely lacking in the strong ambition, measures…
Ireland's Opportunity to Help Europe Reduce Fossil Fuel Dependence Could be Hampered by Offshore Renewables Skills Shortage & Possible "Collision Course" with Fishing Industry
8th March 2022 Power From the Sea
Ireland‘s unique opportunity to help Europe reduce its dependence on Russian oil could be hampered by a severe skills shortage for developing offshore renewable energy, industry experts have warned. And unless the Government moves quickly on establishing a stakeholder liaison…
Nutritious wild-caught fish is being squandered if it continues to be used as feed for farmed salmon, a new study maintains. Scientists analysing the Scottish salmon farming industry calculate that an extra six million tonnes of seafood would be available…
Dr Karen Weekes: First Irish Woman to Row Solo Across the Atlantic (Podcast)
5th March 2022 Wavelength Podcast
“So your boat goes up the size of the wave, and then it goes down a bit and sometimes you might surf it or whatever but yeah, they were very very big..”. I’m useless at measuring things, I don’t know…
Foyle Port's Potential Part of Atlantic Corridor North-South Research Programme
4th March 2022 Foyle Port
The potential of Foyle port is one of a number of projects which NUI Galway and Ulster University will develop under the Government’s North-South Research programme. The two universities will work in partnership on the Atlantic Innovation Corridor as part…
Basking Sharks to be Protected Under Wildlife Act After Long Campaign
3rd March 2022 Marine Wildlife
Basking sharks are to be given protection by the Government under the Wildlife Act, Minister for Heritage Malcolm Noonan has announced. The move follows a long campaign by marine scientists, NGOs and school students for protection of Cetorhinus maximus the…
Irish Coast Guard Volunteer & Musician Davy Spillane Settles High Court Case
1st March 2022 Coastguard
Musician and Doolin Coast Guard volunteer Davy Spillane has settled High Court proceedings pursued against the Minister for Transport and the Irish Coast Guard. The case arose after the death of Spillane’s Doolin Coast Guard colleague and friend Caitriona Lucas…
President Higgins Congratulates Atlantic Solo Rower Dr Karen Weekes
27th February 2022 Coastal Rowing
President Michael D Higgins has congratulated Dr Karen Weekes on becoming the first Irish woman to complete a solo row across the Atlantic. "A fantastic achievement and wonderful inspiration to all Irish people." the president said in his congratulatory message…
Donegal Skipper May Have Become Ill or Got Trapped Below in his Own Fishing Vessel, MCIB Report Says
25th February 2022 MCIB
A 75-year old skipper may have become ill or got trapped in his own fishing vessel when finishing a day’s work close to the Donegal coast, according to the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). The MCIB report into the death…
Dr Karen Weekes Completes First Solo Row of the Atlantic by an Irish Woman
25th February 2022 Coastal Rowing
Ireland’s first solo transatlantic oarswoman Dr Karen Weekes crossed the finishing line off Barbados yesterday evening after 80 days at sea. Light winds made for a slow final two-knot passage into the Caribbean island where a team of Irish supporters…
After a gruelling 80 days at sea, Dr Karen Weekes aims to land on a beach in Barbados on Thursday morning (Feb 24) and become the first Irish woman to have rowed solo across the Atlantic. Weekes, a sports psychologist…
New "Fair Seas" Environmental Network Demanding Increase in Irish Marine Protected Areas
23rd February 2022 Marine Wildlife
A newly formed Irish environmental coalition says it is “demanding” a fifteen-fold increase in Ireland’s marine protected areas (MPAs). The Fair Seas campaign wants at least 10 per cent of Irish waters to be designated as “fully protected” by 2025,…
Ellen MacArthur Foundation & WWF Call for Legally Binding UN Treaty to Prevent Plastic Pollution
23rd February 2022 Marine Wildlife
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and World Wildlife Fund have initiated a joint campaign calling for a legally binding UN treaty on plastic pollution. Successful solo long-distance sailor MacArthur, who formed her foundation after retiring from professional sailing in 2010, has…
Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O'Donnell broke his neck during the bicycle section of a triathlon 30 years ago, but hasn't looked back since his recovery. Anrí Ó Dómhnaill, a father and grandfather, has trekked…
Spanish Fisherman Lost off Canada Had Been Sole Survivor in Previous Sinking off Irish West Coast
17th February 2022 Fishing
One of the 21 fishermen feared dead after a Spanish fishing vessel sank off the Newfoundland coast this week was the sole survivor of a dramatic rescue two decades ago off the Irish west coast. Ricardo Arias Garcia was winched…
Sudden Resignation from State's Seafood Regulator Questioned by Industry Leader
16th February 2022 Fishing
A fishing industry leader has questioned the reason for the sudden resignation of a member of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Tim Donovan stood down from the SFPA – the State’s seafood industry regulator - in early February after…
Scientists Use New Forensic Technique to Confirm a Neolithic Man Died by Drowning
14th February 2022 Marine Science
Scientists have been able to use forensics to determine drowning in saltwater on prehistoric human remains for what they say is the first time. The research team led by the University of Southampton has confirmed saltwater drowning as the cause…
SFPA Chair Warns Sea Fisheries Regulator is "Committed to Detecting Those Who Chose Not to Comply"
11th February 2022 SFPA
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority’s executive chair has said that the organisation is “committed” to detecting those who “choose not to comply” with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The new chair Paschal Hayes was commenting after fines were imposed by…
