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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Losing ground: coastal erosion in Ireland and what we can do about it
Ireland's 7,500km coastline is one of our country's greatest natural treasures — an ever-changing ribbon of cliffs, beaches, dunes, and estuaries — and islands — that shapes not only our geography but also our cultural identity. Yet, from Donegal to Dingle, an invisible enemy is chipping away at the edges: coastal erosion. Every winter storm, every rising tide, is part of a slow but persistent process of transformation. Entire sections of coast are disappearing into the sea. And while erosion is a natural process, it's now accelerating due to human activity and climate change. The question we face is no longer if we should act, but how. Nature on the move Coastal erosion refers to the wearing away of land by the sea. Waves, currents, and winds gradually remove soil, sand, and rock from the shoreline. In places where natural buffers such as sand dunes, saltmarshes, or wetlands are intact, erosion is usually slow and cyclical. But when these protective features are damaged, or when sea levels rise and storms intensify, erosion speeds up dramatically. Rock armour and gabion basket protection work at Ballybunion beach near the golf course coastline. In Ireland, we are already seeing the impacts. Some of the most high-profile cases have made headlines in recent years. At Portrane in north County Dublin, residents have seen their gardens, and in some cases entire homes, fall into the sea. In Lahinch, County Clare, and Rosslare Strand, Wexford, beaches have narrowed significantly, impacting tourism and local livelihoods. County Kerry's Inch Strand, famous for its long sandy spit, is now being monitored closely after major storm damage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20–30% of Ireland's soft (non-rocky) coastline, such as sandy beaches and dunes, is vulnerable to erosion. Sea level around our coasts has risen by roughly 3-4 mm per year over the past three decades, and future projections suggest that this rate will accelerate. More extreme and frequent storm surges, such as Storms Ophelia, Emma, and Barra, compound the problem. Coastal Development One major challenge is how we've developed the coast. Holiday homes, caravan parks, golf courses, and roads are often built just metres from the shoreline, leaving little room for natural systems to adapt. Concrete sea walls and rock armour are used as defences, but they can sometimes worsen erosion elsewhere, disrupting the natural flow of sediment. Sand dunes which have been damaged by coastal erosion at Rossbeigh beach in Kerry. Picture: Dan Linehan Traditional 'hard' coastal protection measures are expensive and not always effective in the long term. For example, when waves crash against a sea wall, the energy is reflected downward and sideways, often eroding the base or neighbouring shorelines. As the sea keeps rising, defences have to be raised or reinforced, creating a costly cycle of maintenance. It's time for a smarter approach — one that works with nature, not against it. Solutions on the horizon Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) offer a promising way forward. Instead of trying to outbuild the ocean, we can restore and strengthen natural coastal defences. This includes: · Dune restoration. Stabilising sand dunes using native grasses and fencing to trap sand can buffer wave energy and provide critical habitats. · Saltmarsh and wetland protection. These act as natural sponges, absorbing storm surges and reducing flooding inland. Rewetting drained marshes helps them recover. · Managed retreat. In some places, the most sustainable option is to allow the coastline to shift naturally by relocating vulnerable infrastructure inland. · Living shorelines. These hybrid systems use a mix of vegetation, oyster reefs, and biodegradable materials to reduce erosion while supporting marine biodiversity. Rosslare strand damaged by coast erosion. Irish Examiner (then Cork Examiner) Wednesday, March 11, 1959 Projects like the OPW's Coastal Monitoring Programme, and local authorities such as Wexford County Council, are beginning to integrate these softer engineering techniques. At the European level, Ireland is part of coastal adaptation programmes under the Climate Action Plan and Horizon Europe projects. But more investment and coordination are needed. A recent report by the Climate Change Advisory Council noted the lack of a comprehensive, national coastal adaptation strategy. Without one, responses remain piecemeal and reactive. Communities on the front line Coastal erosion is not just a scientific issue, it's a social one. People living in vulnerable coastal areas often feel ignored or unsupported. Insurance may not cover erosion damage. Planning policies may restrict rebuilding after loss but offer little support for relocation. Emotional ties to place, such as family homes, heritage, livelihoods, are difficult to let go of. Public engagement is crucial. We need open conversations about trade-offs and priorities. Some areas will require robust defences; others may need to be given back to the sea. Local knowledge and citizen science can play a key role in shaping fair and resilient responses. Heritage Council chairperson, Dr Martina Moloney, and chief executive, Virginia Teehan, at Heritage Horizons: Pathways to the Future, a national conference hosted by the Heritage Council at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin in May, 2025. Dr Moloney and Ms Teehan are pictured alongside an image of the Illauntannig Monastic Site in Kerry, which is at significant risk from coastal erosion. Picture: Marc O'Sullivan Holding the line or letting go? We must accept that we cannot 'hold the line' everywhere. The coast has never been fixed; it has always moved. But with the added stress of climate change, the pace of change is now outstripping our capacity to respond. Adapting to coastal erosion means rethinking how we value and use our coast, not just as a boundary, but as a living, transient system. To live with erosion is to let go of the illusion of permanence. With science to guide us, communities to ground us, and leadership to drive us, we can respond not with fear, but with foresight. Ireland's story has always been written at the edge of the sea. Let the next chapter be one of adaptation. The sea may be rising, but with the right approach, so too can our resilience.
Irish Examiner
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
My Life with Emma Quirke: 'I represented Ireland as a competitive puzzler'
As a little girl who devoured jigsaws I never imagined I would one day have the chance to represent my country as a competitive puzzler. Last April, I realised a lifelong dream after scooping first prize in the solo category of the inaugural UK National Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Bradford. I completed a 500-piece puzzle in a record time of 41 minutes and 55 seconds. My personal best leading up to that was fourth place in the semi-finals of the World Jigsaw Puzzle championships in Valladolid, Spain. My dad almost sobbed with pride. Since I was very small, my talent for jigsaws has been a source of fascination within my family. At four years old, it proved difficult to find a puzzle that challenged me. Not content with the traditional way, I began doing them upside down and at lightning speed. My parents started buying me harder jigsaws. By the time I was six, I was completing puzzles with a thousand pieces. However, I never thought it could turn into a competitive pastime. When I was in secondary school, the emphasis was predominantly on football and soccer. I suppose, in a way, puzzling is a sport too, but it wouldn't be considered your typical hobby. Realistically, I never thought that jigsaws would give me the chance to see the world. As a teenager, I largely kept my jigsaws a secret from everyone with the exception of my family. I never fell out of love with them and completed one most days after school. Years went by and a friend sent me a video about the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships. I signed up and the rest is history. Since participating, I've gained so much confidence. I'm much more open to talking about jigsaw puzzles and that's down to a lot of reasons. Champion jigsaw maker Emma Quirke with a jigsaw from her appearance on BBC. Picture Dan Linehan When I first started competing, I appeared on BBC News. Hollywood star Hugh Jackman shared a video of a few of us doing puzzles for the worlds on his Instagram stories. It was nice to see that someone with so many talents would be proud of us. In the months that followed, I grew so much in confidence. In my role as a primary school teacher at Lacken National school in Blessington, Co Wicklow, I try my best to support my pupils in whatever they feel most passionate about. I want them to be able to follow their dreams just like I did. Jigsaw puzzles have opened up my eyes to the fact that there is more to life than what we see and are exposed to every day. The children support me too. Many of them tune in to watch me compete via a livestream. They cheer me on and make me cards. My enthusiasm has rubbed off on them as members of the school jigsaw club can attest. It's nice to be able to teach the kids who aren't sporty that there are other ways they can shine. We now have 20 members. The sessions are always really fun and it's so cute to see the kids all working together. It has been great for their self-esteem. Moreover, jigsaws are beneficial for so many aspects of a child's development. They are brilliant for children of all ages as they promote fine motor skills. They are also great for memory. IT IS not just the kids who support my pastime. I have 200 jigsaw puzzles in my home, but my housemate Elizabeth doesn't mind. Rather than asking me to get rid of them, she has started joining in. She sees the energy I pour into every one of them. Champion jigsaw maker Emma Quirke at her home in Killarney, Co Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan The largest puzzle I have completed to date is a 5,000-piece jigsaw. The picture is of seashells and it's a bit all over the place. I prefer the images to be higgledy-piggledy rather than your usual landscape because it's more of a challenge. I try to do a puzzle every day. When you get to a point where you're fast and you can compare your times with other people it's quite fun. I'm part of the Irish Jigsaw Puzzle Association, where I get to meet with people from all walks of life with an interest in puzzling. The skill is still quite niche even though there is a broadened awareness now. People are often quite surprised to learn I do puzzling. At first, they don't understand what is involved or how it works. When I explain how I do it they are always quite impressed. I think a lot of the time, they are shocked to see that both my hands are working so fast. Hand-eye coordination is a really important element of puzzling. When you are working with children, you have to be quite patient and focused and a lot of that would transfer. Puzzles are an escapism. Jigsaws throw you out of the world for a while. All you can think about is that puzzle. If there's one thing jigsaws have taught me it's how to live in the moment.
Irish Examiner
20-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
No major traffic delays but car parks near Dublin full as Cork and Tipp fans head to Croke Park
The car parks at both the Red Cow interchange and the Cheeverstown Park and Ride are now full up as Cork and Tipperary fans make their way to Dublin for this afternoon's All-Ireland final. Motorists seeking parking ahead of the match have been advised to consider train stations in the Dublin area, or parking bays near Dublin Bus routes. Traffic along most stretches of the M7 and M8 is still moving well, with only minor delays reported between junction 9a Sallins, and junction 10 Naas (South). Earlier, there had been reports of heavier traffic before and after the northbound toll at Portlaoise, with motorists told to expect delays in the area. As of 11am, this traffic appears to have eased off. Ken O'Sullivan with Leo and Brian Hurley at Kent Railway Station prior to heading to the All-Ireland final between Cork and Tipperary . Picture Dan Linehan And toll operators say they have extra management, staff, and backup workers on duty throughout the day to keep cars moving on their way to and from Dublin, with Incident Support Unit (ISU) vehicles readied along the routes to Dublin to handle any breakdowns or accidents. Weather There was also some heavy rain in parts of Munster and Leinster this morning, leading to saturated road surfaces and reduced visibility. The worst of the showers have now cleared, however. As for the general forecast for today, Met Éireann says that some brighter spells will develop this afternoon, though there will be some continued scattered heavy showers leading into the evening, especially across parts of the midlands and mid-west. [social=twitter][ Highest temperatures this afternoon will range from 17C to 22C in light to moderate northerly winds, fresh at times near western and southwestern coastal fringes. Earlier: Busy trains depart Cork Kent Aoife and Barry Lehane at Kent Railway Station prior to heading to the All-Ireland final between Cork and Tipperary . Picture Dan Linehan Kent Station was a sea of red and white from the early this morning, as thousands of Cork supporters boarded trains up to Dublin. Iarnród Éireann added a number of extra services for the day, with packed-to-capacity trains departing at 7am, 7.45am, and 9.20am. Iarnród Éireann has also reminded passengers that services from Dublin back to Cork this evening sold out, so those who arrive at stations in the capital without tickets will not be permitted to board. Those who do have tickets have been advised to arrive at the station early and allow plenty of travel time.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Blessed West Cork setting for born again Georgian era glebe house in great nick
WEST Cork's Rathclaren House is as good as old — the supremely comfortable former Georgian rectory was effectively rebuilt from the roof down, and from its dug-up floor upwards, when it last changed hands, in jig-time, in 2008. Gorgeous Georgian glebe on five acres of groomed and green grounds Apart from its walls, just about everything within is new, and high end, but its aesthetic and the quality of its workmanship is 100% faithful to its past, leaving confusion only as to whether the 1820s rooted home is as good as new, better than new, or as good as it gets for an veteran coastal home with deep local roots. Despite being over 200 years in age and built to a template common at the time for 19th-century rectories and glebe houses, Rathclaren is not the oldest kid on its block: that honour belongs to its next door neighbour, the Anglican Holy Trinity Church, with portions going back to the 1650s (even earlier ruins of a church nearby date to the 13th century). Holy Trinity, or Rathclaren Church, was added to and altered several times in the 1800s, including a tower with clock and a so-called lychgate covered entrance — quintessentially English, also seen in Scandinavia, rarely in Ireland. Lychgate at Holy Trinity church. Picture Dan Linehan With its adjacent church, graveyard, and cemetery holding the remains of both Catholics and Protestants and its lychgate, the Rathclaren ensemble is picture postcard pretty, just a few hundred metres uphill from the coastal road (and, Wild Atlantic Way) running west of Kinsale towards Clonakilty, between Ballinspittle and Timoleague near Burren and Kilbrittain. Old bones, updated inside It's in good company with a handful of other period homes in the vicinity, including the early 1800s Georgian villa Gortaglenna, and the late 1700s Burren House, while nearby on the coastline is Coolmain Castle, currently for sale for the Disney family with a €7.5m AMV on 56 acres of 'Disney-land', in immaculate order. Rathclaren House is near Disney's Coolamain Castle Coolmain went to the international market in April with joint agents Andy Donoghue of Hodnett Forde and Lisney Sotheby's International Realty: now the same pairing are lined up to sell Rathclaren House, on five minded acres with sea glimpses, with a price guide considerably less that the area's magical Disney castle ... it's launched at €2.95m. Coolmain Castle Rathclaren House previously featured here, back in 2008 when the market was still strong, priced at that time at €1.5m and in a condition that — diplomatically — reflected its age, despite being generally well presented and maintained. Previous owners included the Wilson family for c 20 years prior, and before that the UK diplomat Sir Geofroy Tory (1912 to 2012) who served as Britain's ambassador to Ireland in the 1960s and who retired after an international career to Rathclaren, in a gentle West Cork setting. Interior grace at Rathclaren Buyers in 2008 were Axel Thiel, CEO of a specialist industrial company related to the auto sector Thiel & Heuche in Germany, and his wife Philippa (nee Graves), internationally based and who fell for its charms upon their very first glimpse of it. They bought it straight away, after first viewing from the Wilsons after it appeared in the Irish Examiner Property pages and before any rival bidding could take place. Upwardly mobile The couple then with teenage children had been in the hunt for a Georgian property in Cork at the time and knew just what they hoped for. Philippa's family home is Ballylickey House, between Bantry and Glengarriff, now four generations in Graves hands (related to the poet and author Robert Graves) and the family are now only selling Rathclaren to take over at Ballylickey House: 'It's a very difficult decision to sell,' Philippa acknowledges. Kitchen with German limestone floor with fossil traces What they are selling both is — and is not — what they bought back in '08, given its near total internal rebuild in the original retained building envelope, the construction equivalent of a total organ transplant and rebirth. Bright side in Not only is the mainc 4,000sq ft house as good as, or better, than new, so too is the former coach house and outbuilding, brought down to retention of the stone front wall and arch only and then fully rebuilt as a three-bedroom 2,300sq ft guesthouse, fully self-contained (bar a proper kitchen, easily provided) and, at its far end, a two-bed staff house, currently lived in by the full-time caretaker and attentive groundsman. Guest cottage The rebuilding work took a full two years, to painstaking detail, with a local crew headed by builder Dan Healy whom the Thiels praise highly. Specialist conservation and new joinery work was done to an exceptional standard by London-based Patrick O'Donovan, who did the windows, typically six-over-six sliding sashes, working window shutters on the deep walls, doors, architraves and pristine staircase, the works, while reclaimed pitch pine wood lines the modestly-sized study en route to the dining room. Modest add-ons or wings were placed, with glass roof lanterns, for a feature triple aspect dining room and for the large and hospitable kitchen, done by House of Coolmore, with a limestone floor brought in from Germany, complete with fossils to spot in the stone underfoot. From the floors (dug out, and redone and finished in solid oak when found to be wringing wet), right up to the roof, all inside is new or newly finished, bar superb original fireplaces (one an Adam chimneypiece or Adam style, with polished brass insert) and thick internal walls. Courtyard cluster with lustre It's quite the experience to go up into the spacious attic of a 200-year-old house, with hipped roof and internal valley (holding solar panels) and see every stout roof timber is new: there's reassurance in this for the centuries yet to come... For all of its Georgian grace, the five-bay home is far from being overly grand or grandeur, and from day one had quite simple plasterwork and internal architectural embellishment. It functions really well as a manageable home of supreme comfort, with twin formal reception rooms interlinked via solid double doors (it's BER exempt, having been listed post-upgrades), with four bedrooms and a mod estly enlarged great ground level floor plan which, originally, held a small room for the rector to meet his parishioners in. It was just to the right of the off-centre fan-lit 'front' door, which is around to the far side of the long and leafy approach drive. Guest/staff accommodation in a converted stable/coachhouse Each façade is different: that entrance with ornate fan over the original door is slate-hung, with slates in graduated sizes for perspective. The main five-bay faces south for views to the water by Courtmacsherry bay and village, whose lights sparkle in evenings and night, amid otherwise perfect night skies, delineated by soaring trees, including a beast of a macrocarpa, likely as old as Rathclaren itself. I see the sea Joint agents Eileen Neville of Lisney Sotheby's IR and Hodnett Forde's Andy Donoghue say Rathclaren House 'stands as a refined and meticulously restored period residence of notable architectural and historical interest,' adding, 'this distinguished home was conceived in alignment with the ecclesiastical and social heritage of the time.' Now wholly secular since about the 1950s when it left Church of Ireland hands for a series of private owners, it's on five acres, largely wooded, with extensive planting done by the Thiels during their caring tenure, including adding the likes of European black pines, Sequoia redwoods, Ginkos, Handkerchief trees, and Silver Birches to the existing long-settled stock, of indigenous deciduous trees and pines, including the signature, stand-out macrocarpa. Green fingered The grounds, on a gentle slope east to west and also down away from the house to the south, remain largely wooded, with defined sections, walks, walled sections and old stone boundaries, and openings, interspersed with rhododendron and other colourful intercessions and include lawns which included a tennis court at some time, fruit gardens and frames. There is joyous growth and greenery right up to the walls of the main house, to the coach house, and adjoining staff house (with a mix of six dormer windows and conservation-style Veluxes in slate roofs), all the time with glimpses back through the trees to the pyramidal roof of the 1870s added tower at Rathclaren Church. Rathclaren's Holy Trinity church Picture: Dan Linehan Departing vendors the Thiels say most of the time their private retreat property is so quiet 'you can hear a pin drop', but perhaps at this stage they are more than used to the chimes and peal of the 10 tubular bells installed in the belfry in the 1890s … which appeared to be out by an hour to the 'real' time when visited in the past week? (The refinished clock face in black and gilt has a pock mark by the7 o'clock setting, said to be from a bullet in the Civil War era.) Something to aspire to.... Image: Dan Linehan The auctioneers say Rathclaren 'offers a rare combination of privacy, serenity, and natural beauty', within short distances of Cork City, international airport, Kinsale, and the further roll out of West Cork towns from Bandon and Clonakilty. It mixes preservation of its original layout and essential charms, upgrades of outbuildings, double garage, wine and fuel stores 'with thoughtful incorporation of modern conveniences, representing a harmonious fusion of traditional elegance and contemporary luxury'. Pitch pine perfection VERDICT: It's rare to find a glebe home of such local history and heritage with new life breathed into its old bones, in such a timeless setting, with huge peace of mind thanks to the quality and thoroughness of the works done. Next owners can be expected to fall as heavily for Rathclaren House as its owners did back in 2008.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Just two new navy officers commissioned — but 11 cadets are currently in officer training
Just two new navy officers received their commissions on Friday, the joint lowest figure since the early 1990s. In the intervening years it hasn't been unusual for there to be 10-plus officers at a time passing out from cadet classes. There were initially five who signed up for the latest cadet class, but three left before completing it. Newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale — coincidentally, both from Co Sligo — received their commissions at the Naval Base in Haulbowline in Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan However, on a more positive note, 11 cadets are currently undergoing officer training and interviews are now ongoing for the next intake. Both of the newly-commissioned officers are, coincidentally, from Co Sligo. One of them, Oisín Anderson, who is engaged to Helena Parkes, also from Sligo, should have no problems organising the couple's big day — before he joined the navy he worked as a wedding and events manager. Helena said that the couple met during covid 'doing outdoor dating' and got engaged last Christmas Eve. Minister of state Jerry Buttimer TD shares a light moment with Commodore Michael Molone, flag officer commanding Naval Service, and newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale at the commissioning ceremony in Haulbowline, Cork, on Friday. Picture: Dan Linehan However, they haven't yet set a date for tying the knot as both of them are concentrating on their careers. Helena previously worked as wedding co-ordinator but is currently working in Dublin. She said their separation between Dublin and Haulbowline due to work commitments 'will only make the heart grow fonder'. Oisín, 25, grew up in Sligo town and holds an honours degree in human resource management from Atlantic Technological University Sligo. He has a keen interest in automotive engineering, weightlifting and travel. Family and friends watch the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan His fellow officer, Martin McHale, 22, who comes from Enniscrone, Co Sligo, knows a thing or two about other countries: Before joining up, he worked for a while as a civil servant with the Department of Foreign Affairs. After leaving school, Martin worked for a year with the department liaising with Irish diplomats who were working abroad. He said he was mainly involved in logistical support for them. Minister of state Jerry Buttimer, deputising for defence minister Simon Harris, inspecting the guard of honour at the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan 'I have a cousin in the army, Captain Ben Moran, who is based at McKee Barracks in Dublin,' Martin said. He has a deep interest in Irish history, photography, and fitness. Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service Commodore, Michael Malone, told the two newly-commissioned officers that 'leadership requires lifelong study and experiential learning and to practice it requires skill, reflection and imagination.' He said that, during their training, all these requirements had proven to be well within their ability. It was the first time that Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy attended a commissioning ceremony at the naval base in Haulbowline in his capacity as the new Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. Newly-commissioned officers Oisín Anderson and Martin McHale throw their hats in the air after the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Normally such commissioning ceremonies are attended by the minister for defence, but Simon Harris was unavailable due to prior commitments. Instead, the Government was represented by the minister of State for rural and community development, the Gaeltacht, and Department of Transport, Jerry Buttimer. He presented the two new officers, who were in the 63rd cadet class, with their commissioning certificates. Standing for the national anthem during the commissioning ceremony of the 63rd Cadet Class at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan Mr Buttimer also paid tribute to Commodore Malone who is due to retire as head of the navy before the end of this year. The two cadets gained valuable experience onboard navy ships and commenced their first year of academic study for a Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science at the nearby National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy.
