Geothermal energy found at shallow depths – also known as ground source heat – can be used for heating and cooling buildings, offices and factories. We have produced maps and user guides to help people find out more about the resource and where to find it.

Geological Survey Ireland have partnered with TU Dublin to explore the geothermal resource beneath Dublin city centre. In 2021, a temperature of 38°C was measured in an exploratory borehole at a depth of 1km beneath the surface. Given that there should be a constant increase in temperature with an increase in depth, this result indicates that the energy required for district heating, 80-90°C, may be located by drilling to depths of between 2km and 3km. TU Dublin has ambitions to be the first deep geothermal district-heating demonstration project in Ireland, and is expected to provide valuable lessons for the development of an indigenous geothermal industry in the future.