vmsg 2016 - Trinity College Dublin

Post-Conference Fieldtrip: Philip Doughty Memorial Excursion

Thanks to Stephen Daly and UCD School of Earth Sciences for kindly driving and covering the cost of van hire for the fieldtrip.

An enjoyable day was had by all.

The 2016 VMSG conference will by followed on Saturday 9th January by an optional fieldtrip to the iconic Giant’s Causeway (World heritage Site and part of a potential Geopark) in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The fieldtrip is open to anyone, but places will be limited to approximately 46.

Antrim coast

The travel cost of the excursion will be subsidised through a bequest of the late Philip Doughty (Ulster Museum, Belfast).  Philip had close associations with Geological Society and the Giant’s Causeway and the trip is dedicated to him.

Schedule

The timetable below is provided to allow interested parties to plan their transport, however the exact time spent on the outcrops will depend on weather and size of the group.

  • 7.30 am - Coach collection from Nassau Street, outside Trinity College Dublin
  • 11.00 am arrive Giant’s Causeway. Two hours exploration of the Causeway, with an optional field exercise, and a brief stop for lunch at the Causeway Hotel
  • 1.30 pm Depart Giant’s Causeway. Drive 2 hrs to Newry
  • 3.30 pmNew roadside exposures at Slieve Gullion, where ring dyke and minor intrusions cut the c.410 Ma Newry granodiorite (time permitting)
  • 4.00 pm Depart Newry
  • 5.00 Arrive Dublin Airport
  • 6.00 pm Arrive Trinity College Dublin

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    Logistics

    The fieldtrip will be delivered by four local geologists and will cost in the region of €25 (depending on numbers; cost excludes lunch). Delegates may express their interest by ticking the appropriate box when registering. They will then be contacted with further details. The minimum number of delegates required to run the fieldtrip is 25.