Michael O'Connell
@moconnell007.bsky.social
700 followers 290 following 190 posts
Botanist, palaeoecologist. Research interests: long-term environmental change, local and global; also archaeology, geography, history & a spot of photography
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moconnell007.bsky.social
#Dingle reveals previously unknown features of its post-glacial vegetation & farming history. Pleased to report on strawberry tree (#Arbutus), buckwheat (#Fagopyrum) cultivation & extensive pre-bog #fields at Kilmore Td www.mdpi.com/3378528 @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social #mdpidiversity #Kerry #Ireland
www.mdpi.com
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
uniofgalwaylib.bsky.social
Introduction to EBSCOhost Research Databases at University of Galway

Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Online Event - Registration required

More information and Register
on this link: universityofgalway.libcal.com/event/4416526
moconnell007.bsky.social
Thoroughly enjoyed the @galway-geol-ass.bsky.social #geology fieldtrip to Co. Offaly on Saturday led by Dr John Feehan, the expert on all things #Offaly and much more besides. This thread of 4 posts gives an idea of the interesting places that fully engaged everybody's attention
galway-geol-ass.bsky.social
#GGA #geology fieldtrip to Birr/Ferbane, #Offaly on Saturday started at a golf course & ended in a church. The strongly undulating landscape at #Birr golf course has its origins in the melting glaciers of c. 19k years ago. A fine esker (Riada), steep-sided & wood covered, forms the western boundary
Dune-like landscape that is Birr golf course. The course serves to preserve the glacial landscape and show it off at its best Mature beech on the steep sides of the esker that forms the western boundary of the golf course. Also the occasional yew tree present Honey fungus (Armillaria) mushrooms at the base of the trees on the esker Clusters of honey fungus (Armillaria) mushrooms
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
ria.ie
Join us on 14 Oct at the RIA for a Panel event to discuss the future of funding for fundamental scientific research in Ireland. The event includes a keynote by Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, former @erc.europa.eu president.

Tickets available: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/royalirishacademy/1861191
moconnell007.bsky.social
Still some places in this #GGA #geology fieldtrip to #eskers (& more besides) of Co. #Offaly; lots to experience, guided by John Feehan. Weather forecast good. Email: [email protected] or myself for details. Fáilte roimh cách!
moconnell007.bsky.social
This recalls the fine fieldtrip at around this time of year 2022 that included a magical walk during which we explored the Knockbarron #esker, nr Kinnitty, Co Offaly led by Dr John Feehan. Looking forward greatly to another magical day on Saturday
galway-geol-ass.bsky.social
GGA #fieldtrip on Sat 11 October: Exploring Midland #Eskers (leader: Dr John Feehan). Start point Birr, Co Offaly. For further details email: [email protected]
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Salthill prom: high tide & sun going down on #GalwayBay this evening. I'm told by year-round swimmer, sea temperature 12C; 14C earlier in week. Mackerel appear to be rather scarce but the fishermen still try their luck @wildatlanticway.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
historyofgeology.bsky.social
October 6 was declared International #GeodiversityDay by the UNESCO in 2021. On this day we celebrate the abiotic beauty and diversity of Earth - including rocks, soils, landscapes, rivers, lakes, minerals & fossils ⛰️🪨🐚💎
moconnell007.bsky.social
This recalls the fine fieldtrip at around this time of year 2022 that included a magical walk during which we explored the Knockbarron #esker, nr Kinnitty, Co Offaly led by Dr John Feehan. Looking forward greatly to another magical day on Saturday
galway-geol-ass.bsky.social
GGA #fieldtrip on Sat 11 October: Exploring Midland #Eskers (leader: Dr John Feehan). Start point Birr, Co Offaly. For further details email: [email protected]
Knockbarron esker complex; image: lidar and OSI map. Image provided by J Feehan in the context of GGA Fieldtrip Co. Offaly, October 2022
moconnell007.bsky.social
Greatly looking forward to this lecture by Prof Rónagh Cox on this highly topical subject - given the increased frequency of severe storms on the NW Atlantic coasts and especially western Ireland
galway-geol-ass.bsky.social
GGA Zoom lecture (Wed, 15 October 2025 at 19:00 h): Coastal boulder deposits on the #AranIslands record at least 2000 years of extreme wave events
BY Professor Rónadh Cox (WilliamsCollege Williams College, MA, USA). For Z link email: [email protected]
Megaclasts resting on bedrock near Poll na bPeist; 2025-05-28; GGA/CGA Fieldtrip, Inis Mór (photo: Michael O’Connell)
moconnell007.bsky.social
Photos from recent travels to mark #InternationalGeodiversityDay. Dalradian metamorphic rocks with quartz veins #Connemara National Park, W Ireland; sandstone, slate etc, medieval tower house, St Marys & All Saints church, Conwy, Wales; dykes & Watt, Langwarder Groden, west of Bremerhaven, Germany
moconnell007.bsky.social
Apologies for the typo, Manchán. I'm hoping you will forgive me - from that other world which I'm sure you are already busy investigating and documenting; and no doubt having interesting discussions with Jane Goodall. You are certainly sorely missed on this planet & especially in Ireland 🙂
moconnell007.bsky.social
Storm #Amy was at max in #Galway at about 3 pm yesterday. Photos from about 6 pm on #Salthill Prom as winds abated, skies cleared & sun appeared to give fine rainbows; and @catherinegalway.bsky.social still standing!
Start of a walk of the Prom, Salthill, Galway at about 6 pm, Friday 3 October as storm Amy was subsiding and tide going out. Road still closed to traffice. Only President poster was that showing the local (and independent) candidate, Catherine Connolly End of walk of the Prom after 6 pm, Friday 3 October. Storm Amy had passed, and sun appeared and with it rainbows arching the city of Galway
moconnell007.bsky.social
So sorry to learn that Machán Magan has died. You certainly showed us the relevance of the past for the present; cf. your bestseller 'Thirty-Two Words for Field. Lost Words of the Irish Landscape'. 'Ireland in Iceland' another intriguing title. #Machán your enterprising & free spirit will be missed!
manchanmagan.bsky.social
On 11 June I'm giving a talk at The Fumbally Café in Dublin 8 to mark the launch of my new book, Ireland in Iceland: Gaelic Remnants in a Nordic Land.
I'll be selling and signing this book, as well as all my previous ones.
www.eventbrite.ie/e/ireland-in...
Ireland in Iceland - book launch
Come join us for the launch of "Ireland in Iceland" where we'll explore the fascinating connections between these two beautiful countries
www.eventbrite.ie
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
stoneclub.bsky.social
We stood and pondered on the stones,whose plan displays their pattern still; the small blunt arc, and, sill by sill, the pockets stripped of shards and bones.
The legend has it, Ossian lies
beneath this landmark on the hill

Excerpt from Ossian’s Grave, John Hewitt (1962)

#nationalpoetryday
moconnell007.bsky.social
#JaneGoodall, 3 Apr 1934 – 1 Oct 2025. A life well lived. An icon for the ages and particularly for the times we live in.
Photo is a screengrab from a fine #BBC interview with Terry Wogan
bbc.com/news/article...
screengrab from BBC interview with Terry Wogan
moconnell007.bsky.social
Thanks Caroline. Yes, his maps are great. UoG digital archives @uniofgalwaylib.bsky.social I'm pretty sure I've seen scans of his maps there. I have scans; send an email & I'll forward. M.
moconnell007.bsky.social
Wonderful tribute to Tim Robinson, cartographer, writer, recorder of landscapes of #AranIslands #Burren & #Connemara in #NationalConcertHall, Dublin. Afterwards met 2 of contributors, #poet Moya Cannon & scholar & sean-nós singer Lillis Ó Laoire. Tim & Mairéad you have contributed so much to us
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Langwarder #Groden - Natur des Jahres 2024 - final stop in palaeo Tuexen excursion today in Lower Saxony. Impressive dikes grazed by folks of sheep, bare mud, species-rich saltmarsh, a haven for bird life & all within sight of the busy Bremerhaven container port
moconnell007.bsky.social
Nearby in #UniversityofReading Archives of #JamesJoyce & #SamuelBeckett. Later in year there will be an exhibition of the #Joyce material
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Museum of English #Rural Life in #UniversityofReadind a real gem.
Tapestry exhibited at Festival of Britain 1951 by Michael O’Connell (English artist with Irish ancestry) Part of large collection of ploughs in Museum of Rural English Life, Reading
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
jdmccafferty.bsky.social
9 Sept 1674: d. Murrough O'Brien 1st Earl of Inchiquin #otd

(Manchester Gallery of Art/ British Museum)
moconnell007.bsky.social
For ferry passengers on #DublinPort #Holyhead
route, the tall sailing #ship from #Peru in #Dublin Port a delight to see
moconnell007.bsky.social
Within a stone's throw of the march, it was normal life in #Galway with weddings being celebrated in style at the #Claddagh Dominican church & at 700+ year old Saint Nicholas' Collegiate Church. Thanks to driver of that beautiful maroon #Mercedes (grounds of St Nicholas) for facilitating the photos
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Galway makes its feelings felt today re. #Gaza & the awful plight of the Palastinian people. A huge turnout that walked, with flags flying in the stiff breeze, from Westside over Wolfe Tone Bridge, & then up High St & Shop St & onto Eyre Square where a rally was held. Photos 1-3 from start point
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
emilymfg.bsky.social
also just for you -- not part of my set (by H.C. White) but a super image I came across -- Galway market women having a laugh with local constabulary
www.loc.gov/pictures/ite...
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
aoifeb1.bsky.social
Seven #butterfly species enjoying #wildflowers in the sunshine along the #Galway Bay shore yesterday. 😊 My first ever Clouded Yellow. Dozens of courting Green-Veined Whites. Small Tortoiseshell. Red Admiral. Common Blue. Meadow Brown. Speckled Wood.
Clouded Yellow Butterfly. Bright yellow Butterfly resting on a white stone Green Veined Butterfly. White Butterfly with yellow-green underwings with dark veins sitting amongst green grasses and clovers Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly. Butterfly with a mosaic of red, black, orange, yellow, white and blue pattern on its wings. Feeding on blue Devil's Bit Scabious flower.