News in 2011
21st February
Quiz Night in Harneys
As usual in Harneys we had a great night
and raised useful funds to keep ourselves going!
Thank to Mary and Jim and to all who came.

3rd April
Spring Fair
The year ticks around, the days getting longer
and it was Fair time again.
Good fun, good chat and everybody happy!

During April John has been really pulling the graveyard
back into shape that we can be proud of!

31st May
European Geoparks Week
This actually goes on for two weeks!

European Geoparks Week is an annual event that occurs throughout the
European Geoparks Network. The aim is to raise awareness of the European
Geoparks Network (EGN) by celebrating both Europe’s common geological
history and the role that each individual Geopark plays within this. At the
local level, this is an opportunity to explore the geology, landscape, wildlife,
archaeology and build heritage of the Copper Coast.

Phone 051 292828
email: info@coppercoastgeopark.com
or paula@coppercoastgeopark.com

This year’s European Geopark Week opened with
a spectacular exhibition of Art and Photography
from 5th.Year students of Stella Maris Secondary School,
Tramore, Co. Waterford.
All works inspired by the
Geology and Landscape of the Copper Coast.

This “Geology Through Art” project was seeking to
fully integrate two subject areas, which are typically
perceived in education as being intrinsically
different and separate.

The project began with a Geology and Sketching
fieldtrip in September 2010. The students spent the day
along the coast from Kilfarassy to Bonmahon
soaking up the geology, archaeology and heritage
of the area whilst sketching and taking photographs.
The fieldtrip was led by our Geologist Tina Keating
and the artistic portion of the day was coordinated
by art teacher Miss Sinead Driver

The aim of this project was to take a science subject
and build an art exhibition around it thus creating
a link between the two subjects which would appear
to differ so widely from each other but in fact
share some commonalities.

They are both extremely visual and imaginative subjects
and the pupils of Stella Maris,
by taking part in this project endeavoured
to create and encourage a more imaginative,
explorative and enthusiastic response to science education.

The Copper Coast really captured the imagination
of the students who produced wonderful works of art
in mixed media,
and then stretched the imagination even further
to adapt a famous work of fiction by Lewis Carroll
where “Alice in Tankardstown”, instead of falling
down a rabbit hole fell down a mine shaft.
This very successful and truly magical exhibition
ran for two weeks and the centre was
transformed into a wonderland by our
12 foot tall Alice and her fictional friends.

Alice in Tankardstown

The events held over the next two weeks aimed
to show visitors and locals what the Geopark is all about.
In addition to our internationally renowned
exceptional geology, spectacular coastline
and natural beauty, the geopark is also focused
on fun and creativity, with a range of activities
to suit all

For those wishing to explore their creative side
we offered workshops in Jewellery Making,
learning some centuries-old skills still used
in the contemporary art of handcrafting jewellery
from Copper and Sterling Silver sheet and wire;
and an evening of Basket Weaving demonstrated by
Cathy Hayden, where we learned
how to make Baby Rattles from willow and stones,
exactly how these were made in historic times
but not recommended for use as rattles today.

We have a Seismometer!
and on 2nd June we showed it off. . . fascinating!

31st July and 1st August, Sunday, Monday.
Flower Show
An annual milestone. Beautiful flowers,
vegetables and crafts.
Tea and chat and the weather was .... fine!

A Winner!

News in 2010

January
WIT Architecture Students

Students in Architecture from WIT explored the Copper Coast in January.

25th January - 8th March Geology Course, Dungarvan

The Copper Coast Geopark ran its popular Geology Course
in Dungarvan VEC,
Co. Waterford this year with 12 attendees.
More information about the course
can be found here.

4th February
Rev. Doudney's family member visits
Monksland

This morning we had the great great grandson of Rev Doudney in the
Monksland Geopark Centre. David (right on the photo below) and his
wife Rachel were very happy and excited to be in the centre. They were
given a copy of Des Cowman's book along with information about the
Copper Coast Geopark. They then went on a tour of the area with local
guide Jim Cullinane.

28th March Seaweed foraging on the Copper Coast

This year, in cooperation with the Copper Coast Tourism Group, Slow Food
Ireland had its annual “Foraging on the Beach” event. Held on Sunday
morning 28th March at Kilfarrasy Beach on the Copper Coast near the
village of Fenor in Co. Waterford. Over 80 people attended on a perfect
Spring morning.

Around the time of the equinox, spring tides are most favourablefor the
collection of Dillisk, Carrageen Moss, Sleabhcan and other edible seaweeds.
They have a long history of use in Ireland and the industry was worth over
€12 million in 2003.

Bruce MacDonald of the Copper Coast Geopark met the group on the beach for
an initial 'show and tell' on seaweeds and how to gather and cook them.
Then it was off across the rocks and pools to find the real thing.

At 12:30 p.m. the group then went to the Ecopark in Dunhill to see a
demonstration of Dillisk bread making, wonderfully tasting healthy soups and
carrageen moss pudding with Paula McCarthy and Nancy O'Shea.

A family day out in a beautiful environment, with the added element of learning
about our seashore's bounty and how to gather and cook it.

15th April
St John of God Primary School visits
the Copper Coast

St John of God Primary School, Co. Waterford, enjoyed a sunny outing on the
Copper Coast, exploring the geology and the marine biology of the coastline.

Copper Coast Geopark took part in Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor Science,
which was also celebrating 2010 as the International Year for Biodiversity.
The week was packed with events. The beach mosaic event in Annestown
was even shortlisted as the top 10 events for International Day for Biological
Diversity by the
Guardian.

Events of the week are listed on www.livingearth.ie website.

Eoin Gill, organiser of Bealtaine Festival of Outdoor science
posted thevideo of the beach mosaic on YouTube.

21st May 2010 Una Troy (1910-1993), A review of her life and work

Copper Coast Geopark organised a celebration of the Centenary of the birth
of Una Troy, Irish writer with guest speaker Donal Brady.

Born May 21, 1910 in Fermoy, County Cork, Una Troy was the daughter of
John and Bridget (Hayes) Troy. In 1931 she married Joseph C. Walsh,
doctor, and lived her married life in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
and Bonmahon, Co.Waterford.
She began her writing career under the name of Elizabeth
Connor, publishing her first novel Mount Prospect at Methuen (London) in
1936 when she was 26. 

This event was made possible by a grant Assisted by Waterford County
Council Art Office.
Le cabhair ó Oifig Ealaíon Chomhairle Chontae Phort
Láirge.

27th & 28th June 2010
Landscape Sketching Course

With local artist Sinead Driver, 2 day landscape sketching course along the
Copper Coast with exhibition and sale of all artworks produced.

Time: 2 - 5pm
Booking: essential as limited to 12 places
Fee: 2 days: €25, 1 day: €15
Meeting Point: Monksland Copper Coast Centre, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford

3rd - 11th July 2010
European Geoparks Week

European Geoparks Week is an annual event that occurs
throughout the European Geoparks Network.
The aim is to raise awareness of the
European Geoparks Network (EGN)by celebrating both Europe’s common
geological history and the role that each individual
Geopark plays within this.
At the local level, this is an opportunity to explore the geology,
landscape, wildlife, archaeology and built heritage of the
Copper Coast.

See Programme

Heritage Week 2010

We had several successful evening walks everywhere from
Stradbally to the Fenor Bog.The weather was usually quite kind to us!

European Geoparks Network
Co-ordination Committee Meeting.
28th & 29th September 2010.

Mike Sweeney and John Galloway represented Copper Coast Geopark
at the meeting on Lesvos Island, Greece.
Five new Geoparks were admitted to the network,
from Finland, Italy (2),
Spain and Greece.

Halloween 2010

There is hidden talent to be mined along the Copper Coast!
Organised by Paula, our Pumpkin carving competition was a
great success.

And then there was the Halloween Party, back by popular request, and spooky fun was had by all!

And after three weeks the weather and the tide came together and on the night of Sunday 21st November, many Memorial Lanterns were launched in the Mahon River and floated out to sea carrying thoughts and memories of departed loved ones. Special moments.