Following Ireland's adoption of the EU Water Framework Directive, it will become increasingly important to understand interactions between groundwater and surface water if our water resources are to be sustainably defined, managed and protected. There is evidence to suggest that lake/groundwater interactions occur in parts of County Westmeath, notably in the lakelands area north of Mullingar including Loughs Owel, Derravaragh, Lene, and Bane and that the groundwater system is Karstic to some degree. The aim of this project is to ascertain the levels and characteristics of such interactions, and thus begin to determine the relative importance of karstic groundwater processes in the study area. This is to be achieved by developing a comprehensive and dynamic hydrological interpretation of the Meath/Westmeath'Lakeland' region. By utilising hydrological and hydrogeological techniques in a field-based research programme, a multi-faceted, holistic approach to investigating the hydrological and geomorphological questions posed by such environments will be realised.

Research Interests:
Karstic Geomorphology and Hydrology
Lacustrine geomorphology and hydrology
General Hydrogeology
Groundwater/Surface water interactions
Speleology

Academic Awards:
Trinity Postgraduate Studentship award