A Weekend for 'Praegers': The First Annual Clare Island Symposium, Held 21-24 July 1989 onClare Island, Co. MayoAuthor(s): Timothy CollinsSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 23, No. 5/6 (Jan. - Apr., 1990), pp. 227-230Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25539476 .

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Ir. Nat. J. Vol. 23 No. 5/6 1990 227

Coleraine on the growth rates of bacteria in thawing food; the Teachers Union of Ireland prize was awarded to Conor Darcy, Stephen Byrne and Shane Drumgoole, CB Secondary School, Dundalk, for a study of plants in aquaria.

The Exhibition was a resounding success. Aer Lingus are due great praise for mounting this annual event. It provides a platform on which pupils from all parts of Ireland can present the results of

experiments from both the organic and the inorganic world, can match their skills with other pupils whilst learning much from the social contacts and associated events the Exhibition provides.

Aer Lingus also provided exciting special feature displays in the Main Hall The Experts in Aircraft Management (TEAM) demonstrated a scale model of Boeing 747-400 jet engine to be used in a new venture at Dublin Airport

? the servicing of international aircraft. There were seven exhibits

featuring the top award winners at the 1989 Young Scientist of Europe Exhibition which was held in Brussels. As well as last year's Irish award winners, Sinead Finn and Grace 0 Connor from Thurles, there were projects from the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy. The last was of biological interest. Lina Tomasella, who is studying physics at Padua University,

demonstrated the effects of fluorescent dyes on aquatic invertebrates in the region between Venice and Trieste. Videotel showed models of their screenphone service which they plan to introduce in the near

future. Students from Dublin City University issued a daily newspaper produced by desktop publishing techniques and including contributions from both contestants and judges. Eolas, the Irish

Science and Technology Agency, presented a series of lectures including a talk on genetic engineering

by Professor D. McConnell of TCD. The general public came in great numbers to view the projects. It was heartening to hear a 13

year-old girl explaining to urban dwellers the connection between badgers and cattle diseases and to

see parents introducing young children to the exhibits and explaining such demonstrations as an

electron micrograph of an insect's head. ??^,?rr* B v MARY J. P. SCANNELL

A WEEKEND FOR TRAEGERS': THE FIRST ANNUAL CLARE ISLAND SYMPOSIUM, HELD 21-24 JULY 1989 ON CLARE ISLAND CO MAYO

That there has been a revival of interest in the study of islands and their flora and fauna is certainly a truism, if recent events are anything to go by. People like Tony Whilde of the Corrib Conservation

Centre and Leo Hallissey of the Connemara Environmental Education Centre who organize

respectively the island ecotours and the annual Inishbofin Summer Schools have noted an increase in

the numbers of applicants to their courses. As Robert Lloyd Praeger said in his general introduction to

the Clare Island Survey, "Islands and their flora and fauna have always been of special interest to the

naturalist". What has happened is that, besides naturalists, a growing number of writers such as Tim

Robinson (writing on Aranmore, the largest of the three Aran islands) and documentary makers such

as David Cabot (on Inishkea) have helped focus a rising popular awareness of islands, their life and

their heritage.

Bearing all this in mind, symposium organizers, Ciara Cullen and Peter Gill, felt it was time to

offer people interested in islands the opportunity of exploring the unique environment of Clare Island

through an interdisciplinary study of its natural and human heritage. One of the aims of the symposium

was to explore the possibilities for the future appreciation and management of this heritage for both

islander and visitor alike.

Such was the level of interest that the symposium was rapidly oversubscribed, leading to some

disappointment among later applicants. As can be imagined on an island at the peak of the holiday

season, bed spaces are not easily come by without prior planning. In this the organizers were lucky in

having the willing help and co-operation of Mr and Mrs O'Grady, owners of the Clare Island Hotel

which became the centre of the weekend's activities.

Friday, 21 July. In her introductory talk, Ciara Cullen outlined the aims of the weekend, explaining to the

audience that they were all 'Praegers', a colloquial term still used by islanders for any visitor to the

island. Ciara Cullen also gave the Oxford English Dictionary definition of a symposium as an "...

ancient Greek drinking party, with conversation, etc., after a banquet" and hoped that we would not

lose sight of this definition over the coming days. Co-organiser Peter Gill's talk entitled 'Islands as microcosms' introduced the visitors to a

phenomenon that becomes apparent only when one has stayed some time on an island. There is a

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228 h.Nat. J. Vol. 23 No. 5/61990

tendency for islands to function as microcosms of the larger environment of which they form part.

Thus natural and human problems encountered in island communities, although seeming smaller and

more' easily rectified, are effectively indicating what, in time, could affect larger mainland

communities. Consequently, solutions to such problems could also have far-reaching consequences.

Another self evident truth explained by Peter Gill is that, on an island, one's perspective of time and

life changes from what it was on the mainland. Certainly his thought-provoking talk made everyone

more receptive to what they were going to experience over the following three days, and led logically to the screening by Bob Quinn of The Island', a documentary made by him for RTE in 1966.

Twenty-three years latermany of the fears ofthe islanders fortheir island, such as emigration, causing

the community to die, have proven unfounded,

Saturday, 22 July.

The planned activities of the day began with a series of short talks aimed at giving everyone an

idea of what to look for, on the various field trips. Adrian Phillips gave a very detailed yet informative

talk on the tangled geology of the island, accompanied by slides showing exactly what we would

expect to see. Adrian Phillips was followed by Gordon D'Arcy who showed slides of Clare Island's birds with comments on where we might expect to see each species, Juliet Brodie spoke on the flora of

the island and while many in the audience were trying to get their tongues around Potamogeton

polygonifolius (seen later near the 'Gangs'), she stressed that, this weekend, taxonomy would take

second place to fieldwork. Certainly by the end of the weeken^

under her expert tutelage, most

people were able to recognize the dominant species of each habitat visited.

To make the most of the time at our disposal transport was made available to ferry everyone to the

lighthouse at the northern tip ofthe island. It was here that, looking towards Croaghmore, we were

treated to a truely evocative sight. As the strengthening sun gradually cut through the sea mist,

Croaghmore became visible in a manner reminiscent of R. J, Welch's famous plate taken from the

same spot in 1909 and used as the frontispiece of the first volume of the Clare Island Survey. Because of the large number present, it was decided to divide everyone into groups under one or

other ofthe speakers, Juliet Brodie showed what could be seen if one looked closely enough at the

tinder-dry slopes which also bore all the signs of overgrazing by sheep and rabbits. At this point in

time, Clare Island, in common with most of the country, had experienced an unbroken spell of fine

weather which had lasted from mid-May. Conditions, although perfect for walking, were not good for

viewing the island's flora at its best. Paul Gosling gave a resume of what was known about the island's

archaeology, noting the various promontory forts visible in the distance. Gordon D'Arcy pointed out

the nesting sites of seabirds that could be seen along the seaward face of Croaghmore and its associated

cliffs. Adrian Phillips' mastery of his subject was shown in his ability to explain to a lay audience how enormous geological forces applied over millions of years could result in the breathtaking views being enjoyed by all present. After a short walk down to the beach at Portlea, David McGrath took the individual groups in turn-on a quick tour of the intertidal zone of this sheltered rocky beach, drawing a vivid picture in the time available, ofthe activities ofthe various inhabitants of this beach when the tide is in.

Lassu Wood, the unique woodland habitat near Portlea, was scrutinized in some detail and its age and condition noted. Although the movement of such a large number of people through the wood hindered birdwatching, many people spotted a female sparrowhawk and later her nest was located near the edge of the wood. Adrian Phillips pointed out the geology of this area and Paul Gosling described the importance of the standing stone near Gara Cullen's house as well as the kelp-burning kiln near the beach. Later at the cutaway bog near the 'Gangs' Juliet Brodie decribed what the

landscape must have looked like when trees covered most ofthe island. The stumps now stand as mute

testimony to that time, For birdwatchers, tree sparrows, newly reported on the island were seen in some numbers, as were choughs.

That evening a fine dinner, eaten with gusto by those whose appetites had been sharpened by a

day spent in the open air, was followed with a special screening by Bob Quinn of his award-winning film 'Budawanny' filmed on the island.

Sunday, 23 July The activities of the day commenced with an illustrated talk given by Timothy Collins on the

Clare Island Survey itself. For many, it was their first time learning something of the background of the people who took part in the Survey, as well as seeing where the Survey itself fitted into the overall context of Irish natural history in the period between the end of the Victorian era and the beginning of the Great War.

&

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Ir. Nat. J. Vol. 23 No. 5/6 1990 229

Following the talk, transport was again provided to bring everyone to the Abbey at Kille where

Ann Chambers gave a detailed account of the life and times of Grace O'Malley. Perhaps it was the

location, but everyone listened spellbound as events that occurred five centuries before seemed once

more to come to life. Unfortunately Ann Chambers' talk went far over time with the result that the

planned field trip to the Signal Tower at the west of the island had to be curtailed. This was not before a

team of medieval church fresco restorers who happened to be in the vicinity on a survey of Irish

frescoes for the Office of Public Works were invited by Paul Gosling to describe the remaining frecoes

on the ceiling of the abbey tower. These specialists were of the opinion that the existing frescoes were

in such good condition that they could be restored and preserved relatively easily and it is possible

that, as a result of this symposium, this restoration work may now go ahead.

The fieldtrip to the west of the island yielded further examples of pre-bog field systems. The

geology of the area was vividly described by Adrian Phillips as he showed old beaches now many

hundreds of feet from today's levels through uplifting and other geological processes. Gordon D'Arcy was able to add further to the list of avifauna seen. Paul Gosling later led the group out into the

promontory fort at Dun Ooghanishka and the day was suitably rounded off with poetry readings by John F. Deane and Pat O'Brien, both reading highly evocative material written about, or on the island,

which they have published.

Monday, 24th July The seminar entitled 'Heritage Management and Rural Development', held at the hotel was

extremely well attended, with representatives of many public and semi-state bodies coming specially from the mainland. The weekend symposium itself was evaluated and comments made by various

people about the balance between fieldwork and lectures as well as themes for future symposia. It was

felt that the entomology of the island could be dealt with at a future symposium and activities that

would be aimed at children also planned. The cultural aspects of rural development in general and with Clare Island in particular were

discussed. Martin O'Regan of the Mayo County Development Team voiced his fears for the future of

Clare Island. Funds should be made available from government or European sources to help the

islanders move away from the monocultural type of agriculture currently prevailing on the island.

Overgrazing by sheep is now so extreme that soil erosion is already apparent on the upper slopes of

Croaghmore. A member of the Clare Island Co-op agreed that overgrazing was a problem and that

liberal application of fertilizer made available through grant aid and continuing drainage of marginal land was not going to help matters. However, until someone had something else to offer it would

continue. It was also said that the location offish farms in island waters would not noticeably help the

employment situation. Some six or seven islanders are currently employed in fish farming and that

figure is not likely to rise in the foreseeable future. The point was also made forcefully that, in the

subject of heritage versus development, jobs would not be enough to keep young people on the island.

A community centre is essential in this context. Mary O'Donnell of Bord Failte felt that island

holidays could be skilfully promoted although without making the islanders feel they are always being studied by visitors. With regard to the restoration of the castle, representatives of both the O'Malley

Clan and the Granuaile Trust said that they would be willing to make funds available, but only after a

restoration plan could be agreed on. Again no consensus emerged as one proposal to restore the castle

so that medieval banquets could be promoted, was countered with a proposal that the castle be restored

and made available to the island as a community centre, or a heritage resource centre.

To increase awareness of the island's heritage it was also proposed that a series of leaflets

detailing the island's flora, fauna, history and antiquities be produced as well as maps detailing places of interest. Once a centre of some kind was made available, a reference library specializing in

publications relating to the island could be readily put together. In consequence of all the points made

it was agreed that the organisers of the symposium and the speakers should continue their dialogue with a view to commencing a programme of further courses on the island's heritage for the benefit of

the people of the island and especially for the young, to foster an awareness of the islands' cultural

heritage and its environment. This is already well under way. Natasha Weyer-Brown, Executive

Secretary of the Royal Irish Academy's Praeger Fund also stated that the 'Academy would look

favourably on any request from such a group for funding of botanical or zoological studies on the

island'.

The multi-disciplinary approach was a complete success, with everyone, amateur and

professional alike, benefitting from the contributions freely given throughout the whole weekend,

both at the talks and later in the field. One could not help but have the feeling that this was how things used to be when Praeger himself was organizing 'Field Club' outings. Scientifically, the fieldwork

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230 Ir-NaL J- VoL- 23 No- 5/6 1990

resulted in many additions to current knowledge. Monodonta lineata the only bivalve not found on

Clare Island during the 'Survey' or subsequently, was confirmed by David McGrath at Portlea beach.

The additional information regarding the flora, gathered on this and other visits, is such that it is

shortly to be published in the Irish Naturalists' Journal by Juliet Brodie. Forty of the forty-seven

species of birds recorded on Clare Island were seen, most notable being the recent addition to the list,

tree sparrows. Although much too late in the year to see any chicks, a sparrowhawk's nest was spotted

in Portlea Wood with the female nearby. Likewise, the new gannet colonies on the west and

north-west of the island did not yield anything of note. Personally, the most breathtaking sight was a

flock of some forty-seven chough spotted in flight on the Saturday.

On Monday, the final day of fieldwork, Paul Gosling confirmed the location of three hitherto

unknown fulachtaftadh or ancient cooking mounds in the east of the island, thus confirming that Clare

Island had a large stable community many centuries earlier than was previously thought. Such results

from a cursory re-examination of the island demonstrate clearly that another Clare Island Survey is

quite feasible if funds can be made available. Certainly there is enough fieldwork awaiting those who

attend the second Clare Island Symposium next June.

Hardiman Library, University College, Galway TIMOTHY COLLINS

CORRESPONDENCE

RECORDS OF ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA

Dear Sir ? I am currently working in conjunction with Robert Nash of the Ulster Museum on a

proposed publication on the Irish aculeate Hymenoptera. It is over 60 years since Stelfox published his

paper on this group and there are very few modern published records. We have many records from the

north of Ireland but would welcome aculeate records from anywhere in Ireland for inclusion in the

proposed paper. Details should be sent to me at the address given below.

Yours & etc.,

84 Drumnagoon Road, Portadown, Co Armagh BT63 5RF BRIAN NELSON

FERAL FERRET COLONIES

Dear Sir?The Mammal Society has asked me to discover the number and location of feral ferret colonies in these islands and I should be most grateful for any information. Ferrets often escape and are found wandering; sometimes a pregnant female might produce a litter after such an escape but, unless the young survive and breed successfully, such an assemblage would not be classed as a feral

colony in terms of this survey. Locations will not be published without permission. Yours & etc.,

Keythorpc Lodge, Keythorpe, Leicestershire LE7 9WB CLIFFORD OWEN

POLLEN BEETLES IN IRELAND

Dear Sir? Entomologists in Ireland may be interested to know that I am currently working on a Handbook to the identification of pollen beetles of the genera Kateretes, Brachypterus, Brachyptewlus (Kateretidae) and Meligethes (Nitidulidae) in the British Isles. 1 am interested in examining any material of these genera from Ireland for distributional purposes, and am more than

happy to identify any material made available to me, including Meligethes pests of oilseed rape and other Cruciferae. It is also my intention to update the Irish list for these genera. 1 am planning a collecting trip to the south of Ireland in May or June 1991 and would like to hear from anyone interested in a joint collecting trip at this time.

Yours & etc.,

Sub-Department of Entomology, ASHLEY H. KIRK-SPRIGGS National Museum of Wales, Cathavs Park, Cardiff CFI 3NP.

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