Geology week rocks in Belfast

Poetry, folklore and a family day out are the bed-rock of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland’s (GSNI) celebration of Irish Geology Week.

The week, which runs from 1 – 7 May 2007, will see a series of events held across Ireland, to promote geology and generate a greater appreciation of the landscape in which we live.

As part of this, GSNI is staging two events in Belfast. The first, on Tuesday 1 May, is a free of charge poetry evening for over 18’s, at The Black Box Theatre in the Cathedral Quarter. The audience will listen to literary works inspired by the landscape and delivered by five Belfast-based poets and a local folklorist.

Families will have the chance to “Go Get Geoscience” in W5 on Sunday 6 May, from 14.00 – 17.00. There they will be able to go gold panning, create their own fossils and fossil rubbings and try to navigate their way around a virtual quarry. A wide range of rock specimens will be on display and children are encouraged to bring along their own finds, as geologists will be on hand to help them look under a microscope and identify the rock type.

Dr. Mark Cooper believes Irish Geology Week, and in particular the GSNI events, will be of interest to everyone, from budding scientists to those with little knowledge of geology.

Dr. Cooper said: “GSNI aims to bring science, in particular geology, alive for people of all ages and backgrounds. Our poetry and folklore evening is a chance to sit back and listen to works that connect us firmly with the ground on which we walk and the environment that surrounds us. My colleague and local folklorist, Dr. Patrick McKeever, will take audiences on a journey across Northern Ireland as he explores the legends behind famous geological landmarks, such as the Giant’s Causeway.

“’Go Get Geoscience’ at W5 will help bring geology to life for families and children. We hope by having exciting interactive activities and rock displays, we can encourage more students to become interested in geology and pursue a career in a subject that really rocks!”

Notes to Editors:

1. The poetry evening will take place in the Black Box Theatre, Hill Street, Belfast from 7.30pm
2. The poets taking part are: Dr. Mark Cooper, GSNI, Moyra Donaldson, David Smylie, Janet Shepperson, Stephen Gharbaoui, with folklore stories read by Dr. Patrick McKeever, GSNI.
3. All the poets are multi-published authors and are well known in literary circles. Moyra Donaldson has published 3 works through Lagan Press. Janet Shepperson has published her first collection through Salmon poetry, and Stephen Gharbaoui his first through the Lapwing Press. Both Mark Cooper and David Smylie have published in various magazines and anthologies published by the Belfast Community Arts Initiative Poetry in Motion, and are preparing their first collections for publication.
4. Dr. Patrick McKeever a scientist with GSNI is also an advisor to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) on geological heritage.
5. A full event listing for Irish Geology Week can be found at: http://www.habitas.org.uk/es2k/upcoming_events/irishgeolwk.htm#events

Further information is available from DETI Press Office on tel: 028 90529297