INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource) has launched the Blue Scale Map Series; a collection of 18 high-resolution bathymetric maps of Ireland’s coastal waters. Developed by a dedicated team of hydrographers, data processors and cartographers, the maps highlight the topography of the coast in remarkable detail.

In 2006, the INFOMAR programme was established and is currently one of the world’s largest and leading seabed mapping programmes. Funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications,  INFOMAR is a joint venture by the Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute and aims to map Ireland’s seabed and deliver a comprehensive baseline bathymetry dataset to underpin the future management of Ireland’s marine resource.

Ireland’s coastline is approximately 3,171km in length and boasts some of the most unique & dynamic marine environments in Europe. The Blue Scale Map Series is the culmination of over a decade of work.  Each week, INFOMAR will be releasing a new map of a different section of the Irish coastline.   

County Dublin has a coastline of approximately 170km – and showcases some of the Ireland’s most unique coastal landscapes. The latest in the new map series is the Blue Scale bathymetric map of Dublin Bay. The map reveals the iconic Irish sea & complex sandbanks across the capital’s Coastline.

Dublin Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea on Ireland's east coast, spanning approximately 10 kilometers wide at its base and 7 kilometers in length from Howth Head to Dalkey Island. 

The bay encompasses notable features such as North Bull Island, housing a 5-kilometer sandy beach known as Dollymount Strand and an internationally recognized wildfowl reserve. The bay once had two inshore sand banks, the North Bull and the South Bull. The construction of the Bull Wall resulted in the rapid formation of North Bull Island, while the Great South Wall failed to create an island, leaving the South Bull as mud flats and strand. 

Offshore, there are additional sandbanks, including Kish Bank with its lighthouse. 135 Clontarf or Mud Island, previously depicted on maps, has since disappeared.

Since 2006, INFOMAR’s seabed mapping efforts have been instrumental in enhancing our understanding of Ireland's underwater landscape. 

The Blue Scale Map series offers a new and unique way not only to showcase the mapping effort to date, but also to visualize and communicate complex scientific information to the wider public. As with all INFOMAR data, these high-resolution maps are available for free to download and have huge potential to communicate with local coastal communities and raise awareness on the importance of maintaining the health & integrity of our marine environment.

INFOMAR is making all 18 maps available for free to the public to download in high resolution JPEG format.  Follow the journey each week as a new map is released on the INFOMAR website, and join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.

Blue Scale Series release dates: 

Friday 11th August: Galway Bay (Galway)

Friday 18th August: Loop Head (Clare)

Friday 25th August: Tralee Bay (Kerry)

Friday 1st September: Iveragh Peninsula (Kerry)

Friday 8th September: Dingle Peninsula (Kerry)

Friday 15th September: Bantry Bay (Cork)

Friday 22nd September: Mizen Head (Cork)

Friday 29th September: Roaringwater Bay (Cork)

Friday 6th October: Seven Heads (Cork)

Friday 13th October: Cork Harbour (Cork)

Friday 20th October: Youghal Bay (Cork/Waterford)

Friday 27th October: Tramore Bay (Waterford)

Friday 3rd November: Hook Head (Wexford)

Friday 10th November: Carnsore Point (Wexford)

Friday 17th November: Wicklow Head (Wicklow) 

Friday 24th November: Dublin Bay (Dublin)

Friday 1st December: Donegal Bay (Donegal)

Friday 8th December: Aran Islands (Galway)

EDITORS NOTES

INFOMAR (Integrated Mapping for the Sustainable Development of Ireland’s Marine Resource) is a twenty year programme to map the physical, chemical and biological features of Ireland’s seabed. INFOMAR is funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and delivered by joint management partners Geological Survey Ireland and the Marine Institute. The programme has placed Ireland centre-stage as global leaders in marine stewardship, seabed mapping and development of marine resources.

The Marine Institute is the state agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation in Ireland. It provides government, public agencies and the maritime industry with a range of scientific, advisory and economic development services that inform policy-making, regulation and the sustainable management and growth of Ireland's marine resources. 

Founded in 1845, Geological Survey Ireland is Ireland's public earth science knowledge center and is a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. We are committed to providing free, open and accurate data and maps on Ireland's subsurface to landowners, the public, industry, and all other stakeholders, within Ireland and internationally.  In addition, we act as a project partner in interpreting data and developing models and viewers to allow people to understand underground. We deal with a diverse array of topics including bedrock, groundwater, seabed mapping, natural disasters, and public health risks