More tours: Geology near you?

摘要

For most of us, Irish geology is probably an unknown quantity other than for the Causeway, or the granite world of Donegal, but the potential is enormous in areas we barely consider. Some of that was explored by Patrick McEever in a fully illustrated map identifying regions and offering a word picture with a accompanying visual sketch. all summarized in the title Landscapes from Stone. This recognized that the landscape (created. of course. by the underlying rocks) is an established public interest which we do well to accept as our opportunity to take things deeper and, in the process, talk geology. This map could be a useful ranging shot if we think of an Irish visit allowing us to focus in upon one or two regions to explore in closer detail. That process could be eased now by a series of eightfold panel leaflets under the overall title Explore... at the modest cost of 1.00 pounds each. The series includes Donegal, Mourne, Gullion and Cooley, the Sperrins, Lough Erne, with more to come. Each has a subtitle summary which sets the intention of getting visitors to walk and explore. For Donegal, for example, it reads, 'A 120 mile exploration through the heart of the Donegal Highlands. The tour includes sites of scenic, cultural and geological interest.' So the scope is an extended appeal to the hiker, the trail walker or motorist attracted by broader cultural features, with the intent that in the process they will take in some geomorphology and even geology.