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County Geological Site of the Month

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County Geological Sites (CGSs) are the best examples of geological heritage in each county. They are promoted and protected by specific objectives contained within County Development Plans. CGS status is conferred as part of the County Geological Heritage Audit process.

Ireland is getting close to a national database for geological heritage sites, since 2007 25 counties, including the four Dublin Local authority areas, Cork City and Galway City Local Authority areas have been surveyed. Kerry is the only County remaining unaudited, and the last county to be completed in order to establish a national data set of geological heritage sites.

Each month we showcase an audited county geological site to highlight the diversity and depth of this aspect of our natural heritage.

Below you can find more information of the CGS of this month and previous months.

Month  CGS NameCountyDescriptionSite Report
​November 2024

​Lough Boora Parklands
​Offaly
​The Lough Boora Parklands are situated within an area dominated by bedrock of Lower Carboniferous limestone
link
October 2024

​  Knocknarea


​Sligo
​Fossils are found in the outcrops on this hill, which was shaped by glacial processes​

link
September 2024

  ​Ballymastocker Bay
​Donegal
​Ballymastocker Bay is a wide coastal beach and dune system with some unusual exposures of bedrock and cemented sand dunes​
link
August 2024

​  Boyne Va​lley
​Meath

​Features within the valley include suites of glaciofluvial and delta terraces.
link​​​
July 2024
​  Cuilcagh Mountain
​Cavan
​As sea-levels fell in the Carboniferous, limestone seas were filled with sand and mud to form these Cuilcagh Mountain rocks 
link​
June 2024

​  Ballydonegan Strand
​Cork
This unusual beach is essentially man-made, formed as a direct consequence of copper mining, mainly in the 19th century.
link
April 2024

  Lady's Island LakeWexfordGeomorphology has a direct influence on this brackish lagoon which is an important habitat for many species of birds.link
March 2024

  Silver RiverOffaly
Follow the Silver River gorge through the Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous along this nature traillink