Placenames and climate change in focus at European Workshop launched by Minister Calleary
International experts gather in Dublin to explore the links between placenames, ecology and climate change
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has launched the ‘Placenames and Ecology in the European Context’ workshop in All Hallows College in Drumcondra, as part of Ireland’s programme of events during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The biannual workshop is jointly organised by the Gaois research group at Dublin City University and the Placenames Branch of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The event brings together researchers and academics from Ireland, Britain and continental Europe to examine the relationship between placenames, ecology and environmental change.
Opening the workshop, Minister Calleary said Ireland’s placenames provide valuable insight into the country’s natural landscape and environmental heritage.
“I am delighted that my Department can participate in today’s workshop – one of the first public events we are running as part of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union,” he said. “A keen understanding of nature and landscape is evident in the placenames we have inherited, with implications for how we live today.”
The workshop expands on a previous event, held two years ago and titled ‘Cad a dhéanfaidh muid feasta gan adhmad’ - What shall we do from now on without wood - focusing on trees and forests in Irish placenames.
This year’s workshop will explore broader ecological themes, including forests, boglands, wildlife, geology and the role of placenames in understanding climate change, biodiversity, rewilding, rewetting and flood prevention.
Dr Brian Ó Raghallaigh, chief researcher of the Logainm project at Dublin City University, said the workshop highlights the importance of the university’s national placenames database and promotes international collaboration in placenames research.
“DCU is delighted to be hosting this workshop,” he said. “DCU is very proud of the Logainm database, a national treasure, and this series of workshops, run by DCU biannually since 2012, emphasises research and the national and international discourse in the field of placenames.”
The event forms part of a series of departmental initiatives taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.