The Quaternary of South East Ireland Field Guide

About this book

This field guide has been produced to accompany the combined Irish Quaternary Association and Quaternary Research Association field excursion to south east Ireland, 25th-29th September 2015. Both organisations have a long history of running field excursions with accompanying field guides.

The region is unique in its rich glacial history which has left a range of tantalising clues in the landscape, explored and contested for over a century. The shallow seas separating the south east from the landmass of Britain and beyond has acted as both a barrier and a corridor, regulating colonisation after the end of the last glaciation and later facilitating cultural exchange and Viking settlement. Several key sites are covered in detail in this guide, and the wide range of topics covered, from raised beach sediments to graindrying kilns, attests to the area’s rich and diverse history. Furthermore, in the face of anticipated environmental change, Quaternary records like the ones presented in this guide can help to point the way into otherwise uncharted territory.

Contents

Contributors and Excursion Leaders   3
Location map   6
Preface   7
Acknowledgements   8

Introduction
1. Regional Geology   9
      Bettie Higgs and Ken Higgs
2. Quaternary geology and glacial history   14
      Colm Ó Cofaigh and David J.A. Evans
3. The Prehistory of the Southeast   35
      James Eogan, Katharina Becker, Meriel McClatchie, Caitlin Nagle, Ian Annit and Ben Gearey
4. Vegetation History of South East Ireland   44
      Bettina Stefanini

Day 1
5. The Screen Hills and Blackwater Harbour: sediments, glacitectonic structures and landforms associated with oscillations of the Irish Sea Ice Stream margin   48
      David J.A. Evans and Colm Ó Cofaigh
6. Ely House: the glacilacustrine sedimentary sequence of the Ely House Member section   65
      David J.A. Evans and Colm Ó Cofaigh
7. Ferrycarrig: The Irish National Heritage Park. Cereal growing, the corn-drying kiln and the horizontal water mill   71
      Michael Monk

Day 2
8. Kilmore Quay: glacial deposits emplaced by oscillations of the Irish Sea Ice Stream and inland glacier ice   79
      David J.A. Evans and Colm Ó Cofaigh
9. Bannow - type site of the Bannow Till (glacitectonite-subglacial traction till continuum)   87
      David J.A. Evans and Colm Ó Cofaigh
10. Mulmontry Gorge: a glacial meltwater channel and County Wexford cultural boundary   95
      Dominic Berridge
11. Relict (fossil) pingos. Camaross, County Wexford   100
      Pete Coxon
12. Early Waterford   106
      David Pollock
13. The environment of Viking-Age Waterford   112
      Eileen Reilly

Day 3
14. Palaeoenvironmental change in the Comeragh and Monavullagh Mountains   117
      Bettina Stefanini and Gayle McGlynn
15. Copper Coast Geopark   130
      Tina Keating
16. Ballynamintra Cave   137
      Richard Jennings and Cóilin Ó Drisceoil

Day 4
17. Interglacial deposits in Cork Harbour   147
      Pete Coxon and Laura Dowling
18. Courtmacsherry Raised Beach: Howes Strand and Courtmacsherry Bay   158
   Colm Ó Cofaigh, David J.A. Evans and Matt Telfer

Day 5
19. Ballycroneen Strand   165
   Colm Ó Cofaigh and David J.A. Evans

References

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