MacDara Conroy
MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business
The Irish Coast Guard's Kinsale unit was involved in the dramatic rescue of a man clinging to the sheer side of a cliff on Sunday. TheJournal.ie reports that the man, a 20-something English tourist, had been caught on the beach…
Holyhead RNLI's lifeboat was dispatched on Tuesday morning to rescue two boys from a rocky outcrop just outside Holyhead harbour. The boys, aged 13 and 14, had ventured out to Piebio Island, which is accessible at low tide, but quickly…
Spring cleaners at Sixmilewater River in Co Antrim got the surprise of their lives last weekend when a Second World War mortar shell was discovered in the riverbed. Volunteers for Big Spring Clean Week had already picked it up from…
Tributes have been paid to legendary boat builder George Bushe, who died last week aged 89. Born in Baltimore, Co Cork, Bushe got his start in boat building through his father, who make traditional punts. From there he went on…
The 2011 Portrush Open Surfing Championships take place this weekend from 9-10 April. Ireland's best surfers are expected to take part in the two days of competition, which will also be the decicing contest for selecting surfers to represent Ireland…
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) is running a new series of its popular whale watching courses on Cape Clear in Co Cork this summer. The first weekend course from 8-10 July 2011 caters for adults keen to learn…
This year's Lough Ree International Pike Festival will also play host to the Pike World Cup in Athlone, Co Westmeath, from 13-15 April. The current festival format remains unchanged, but The Irish Times reports that the Pike World Cup will…
Grassroots campaigners have called on the Government to ratify a UN convention on public access to decision-making on environmental issues. According to The Irish Times, activists at the first All-Ireland Community Campaigns Gathering in Dublin recently claimed that coastal communities…
The chairman of the Irish Bass Group gave his praise to the fish described as the 'wolf of the sea' at a recent awards day. John Quinlan told his audience at the Irish Specimen Fish Committee awards that Ireland has…
The Department of Transport's latest marine notice pertains to the requirements for passenger vessels in assisting with search and rescue services. All passenger ships on international routes - including ferries and cruise liners - are obliged to have a plan…
Marine surveyors are currently inspecting the German cargo ship which was refloated yesterday in Galway Bay after running aground early on Thursday. The Irish Coast Guard confirmed to The Irish Times that no pollution had occurred in the grounding of…
The search for two fishermen missing off the north Co Dublin coast has resumed this morning. The Irish Times reports that the two men, believed to be in their 20s and 40s, were on a small open fishing boat that…
The wonders of Ireland's marine life came to the LifeTime Lab in Cork on Monday with the launch of a fortnight of school visits in tandem with the Explorers marine education programme for primary schools. The programme aims to empower…
The first report from a new incident database shows that more than 400 people died from accidents or by natural causes in water across Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2009. The WAID (Water Incident Database) was developed by the…
Howth Yacht Club will launch its programme of open sailing events for 2011 at the club house tomorrow evening. In addition to running club sailing throughout the year, and both junior and adult sailing courses to get more involved in…
Two renewable energy companies have applied for planning permission to install a tidal turbine array off the Welsh coast. Energy Efficiency News reports that the 10MW array commissioned by RWE npower renewables would consist of seven SeaGen turbines from UK-based…
The Department of Transport's latest marine notice lays out the format for reporting inadequate harbour facilities for handling ship-generated waste. Shipping companies depend on good standards at receiving ports and harbours in order to comply with the relevant EU directive.…
Charlie McGibney presents a cheque to David Buttimer, chairman of the Fenit RNLI lifeboat fund-raising committee, for donations received at the funeral of his loving wife Ita McGibney. It was Ita's request that donations made during her funeral be presented…
New Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan has signed off on a key foreshore licence to Shell Ireland, paving the way for the completion of the controversial Corrib gas project. The Irish Times reports that the licence, subject to conditions,…
A new inter-agency response to the rising levels of invasive weed growth on Lough Erne has been launched. The Lough Erne Invasive Species Group (LEISG) brings together Fermanagh District Council, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Waterways Ireland, the UK's…
