Geological Survey Ireland offers a number of small grants each year to support the sustainable development, promotion and recognition of Ireland's geoheritage. These grants are aimed at local community-driven outreach and development initiatives with a geoheritage theme. The grants are made through an open competitive application process.
In the 2024/25 round of grant funding, Geological Survey Ireland has awarded Geoheritage grants to seven community-based projects around the country. These grants will support the development and publication of educational and outreach materials by local groups, established geotourism sites, aspiring geoparks and UNESCO Global Geoparks. The aim of the fund is to encourage the telling of the Irish geological story, improve the understanding of geoscience, and to engage with groups throughout the country.
Below you will find details about the 2024/25 projects. Past projects funded by Geological Survey Ireland can be found here.
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 | The Wild Atlantic Way Rocks - Carraig Nua Geoscience
This project will deliver a geospatial app to enhance Wild Atlantic Way visitors’ engagement with the route’s geology and geoheritage in counties Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo. The app will guide geotourists to 60 new, site-specific online experiences developed to educate them on the geology and geoheritage they can see and engage with.
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| Copper Coast UNESCO Global GeoparkThis project will create a new stylised printable visitor map of the Copper Coast Geopark, blending geology with humans and natural heritage. It will also create an online story map version of the printable map using the created map imagery and iconography. The digital version of the map will serve a double purpose as an educational aid for visitors and local school children. It will be an easy place-based introduction to geological and mining heritage. It will also be possible to display the digital version of the map as an in-situ educational activity in the Copper Coast Visitor centre in a digital format, for example on a tablet. |
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Joyce Country and Western Lakes Aspiring GeoparkThe aspiring geopark project aims to develop a geodiversity walk in Tourmakeady Woods, Co Mayo, a Coillte owned woodland focussing on recreation and boasting a national trail. The walk aims to showcase geological features by sustainably selecting 10-12 boulders representing the main lithologies from the geopark region and placing them along the existing trail to the waterfall in Tourmakeady Woods. As well as information panels at the start and end of the trail. Each boulder will have its own information panel describing where to find the rock in the geopark region, specific features of the rock and the process behind its formation.
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 | Classic Mountain Days - Gareth L. Jones
Classic Mountain Days - a 300-page hardback, pictorial mountain memoir illustrating over 60 years of highland exploration and adventure. These walks recognise the geoheritage of the geological structure of the hills and the glacial activity, karst development and landscape changes that can be identified. Each of the over 50 treks has a map and an introduction to the geological and topographic features that are present. This book sets wonderful Irish walks and climbs in an international context, bringing geoheritage to a wide community of mountain users. |
| Silvermines: A Heritage of Mines and MinersIn supporting community projects and commemorating the significant role that mining played in the history of not just Silvermines, but indeed Ireland, SIGA Hydro plans to publish an edited volume of papers related to the Silvermines mining district and the old Magcobar mine site. This volume will include articles from local community historians, from heritage researchers, and Irish geologists who have worked on Silvermines related projects over the years. The work will be completed in partnership with the Silvermines Historical Society with all proceeds after costs going to this not-for-profit group to support mining heritage at Silvermines.
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 | Geoheritage of the River NannyWith this project the aim is to incorporate informational signage at the
entrance of Sonairte Ecology Centre and Gardens, and along the forest trail to educate visitors about the geological importance of the site. These signs will highlight the geological
significance of the River Nanny and surrounding areas. The area boasts a
variety of biodiversity. The tidal River Nanny, which runs alongside the forest
walk, and has its own salt marsh and mudflats which are a special protection
area that is home to a wide array of wildlife. |
| Hotwell House - St Gorman's WellThe aim of this project is to create signage and information leaflets for St. Gorman’s
warm spring near Enfield, Co. Meath. This site has been studied extensively by
scientists from George Victor Du Noyer in the 1800s to present. The warm spring
is also a holy well with a unique cultural as well as geological heritage. It
is well known locally and also receives curious visitors from around the world.
The site will benefit from signage to provide information to local people and
the wider public, explaining the importance of our geological heritage, what is
known about the spring, and what contributes to the upwelling of artesian warm
water.
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