Sunday, November 12, 2006

Ireland's writers, broadcasters, photographers, naturalists

As if peering into a pond, look closely at Ireland's media and Ireland's extensive network of contributers to environmental awareness and conservation becomes clearer. Some of these people are listed below. My plan is to develop this list and write an entry for each individual over time:

  • Michael Viney, natural historian, writer. He may regale us with blustery tales of his life in the west or in a mere three words set us straight on our wildlife observations. Another Life and Eye on Nature are his Irish Times columns. Read a well written review of one of his books.
  • Dick Warner
  • Eanna Ní Lamhna
  • Derek Mooney, television presenter, broadcaster, most importantly of the excellent Mooney Goes Wild
  • And his merry men Richard Collins, Eric Dempsey, Terry Flanagan - read their profiles here
  • Sylvia Thompson, reviews, news, ideas - in her Horizons column in the Irish TimesMike Brown, photographer, author
  • Simon Berrow, Project officer with Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife association
  • Pádraig Whooley, sightings coordinator of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
  • Gordon D'Arcy, naturalist and artist
  • Leitrim organic centre (full of great people, and excellent vegetarian chefs!)
  • Vincent Hyland
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The island of ireland

Once upon a time, and for 15000 years, ice a mile high blanketed Ireland. When the lingering Ice Age finally released and the Irish ice departed it left a landscape scoured. Across land bridges linking Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe plants and animals arrived to colonise the new lowlands, mountains and valleys. The world’s ice continued to melt, the sea levels to rise, and some 8000 years ago Ireland became the island we now know, accounting for just 0.01% of the world's total land area and the most westerly point of Europe.

Though at Alaskan latitudes, the country's climate is tempered, due partly to the neighbouring waters of the Gulf Stream and partly the prevailing southwesterlies that veering and backing make landfall on our sodden coast. These offerings from the Atlantic mean it is never too hot, never too cold. But without doubt it is wet. Rain lingers year round, never far away, though is most frequent in winter, the western counties and, inevitably, on the day of your parade.