Geological Survey Ireland

Founded in 1845, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) is Ireland's public earth science knowledge centre. It provides free, open and accurate data and maps on Ireland's subsurface to landowners, the public, industry, and all other domestic and international stakeholders. The agency also acts as a project partner in interpreting data and developing models and viewers to allow people to understand underground.

High quality data and reliable geoscience support and advice are crucial for the sustainable development of:

• Ireland's natural resources (including groundwater)
• environmental protection
• climate action
• citizen safety
• efficient spatial planning

GSI's programme goals are informed by the Statement of Strategy 2019-2021 for the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the government’s priorities for the Natural Resources sector. More information about each programme’s activities is available below.

• INFOMAR: continue implementation of INFOMAR Phase 2 (national marine mapping programme)
• TELLUS: continue implementation of TELLUS geoscience mapping programme
• Groundwater: progress the Turlough/Groundwater Flood Monitoring Network data provision to improve understanding of Turlough systems
• Geological Mapping: produce new geological mapping data for South Mayo, East Galway, Roscommon, Longford and Kildare
• Minerals: continue databases input (open file, mine records, mineral localities) and construction materials (quarry directory, planning tools for aggregates) for Ireland, along with EU projects
• Geoheritage: continue County Geological Site audits, heritage input in EIS, County Development Plans and Heritage Plans, and support Geoparks in Ireland
• Geoenergy: produce a geothermal energy potential roadmap to support the understanding and development of geothermal energy in Ireland
• Geohazards: activities include liaising with the tsunami warning system, landslides and hazards mapping, ground subsidence, earthquakes monitoring, karst features surveying, radon susceptibility mapping, contaminated land and flooding
• Activity Areas 2021: the map shows all the areas to be surveyed by GSI programmes in 2021

GSI Ireland participates in job creation and retention in the geoscience sector by supporting the Geoscience Ireland business cluster among other initiatives.

Geoscience Ireland is a network of 40 companies, delivering integrated expertise in water, minerals, environmental and infrastructure development to clients in over 70 countries. With the support of GSI and Enterprise Ireland, the network provides design, consultancy and contracting services to multilateral agencies, governments and the private sector.

The goal of the Geo-Driller Apprenticeship is to provide drillers with a dedicated FETAC level 6 qualification. The need for this qualification was identified by a partnership made up of GSI, the Institute of Technology Carlow and the drilling industry. The apprenticeship is being delivered with on the job training as well as through desk based learning.

GSI aims to stimulate and support geoscience research by providing direct funding, and also through increased involvement in national and international projects. Their research activities are supported by the Research Roadmap and can be explored on the agency’s website.

Direct funding for research is provided to geoscientists through a number of mechanisms. This funding, which is provided and managed by GSI and DECC, includes small, medium and larger scale projects and individual fellowships. The GSI also partner with external funding agencies in Ireland and in Europe to support Irish based geoscience research.

GSI staff undertake research in-house and collaborate with several national and international research groups, agencies and organisations. These collaborations cover research activities and outputs to data provision and development of data products.

GSI is also a partner in a number of projects funded or co-funded by the European Commission. These projects work to raise awareness of geological issues and expand research and understanding in Earth Sciences.

GSI provides high quality datasets to inform decision making in environmental protection, spatial planning and sustainable development. They also produce a wide range of datasets from bedrock, quaternary, geotechnical, groundwater to marine, landslides, geological heritage, minerals, geochemistry and geophysics.

The latest datasets can be browsed on Spatial Resources online viewers. Datasets are organised by themes and projects, maps can be printed and data extracted to suit specific needs.

Archive documents and maps are available online through the GOLDMINE application, which contains over 450,000 pages in original high resolution and smaller PDF format files.

GSI takes part in a number of initiatives to improve public awareness, understanding and support of geosciences. Education plays a big part in this as GSI have developed a range of educational content aimed at pupils and teachers that links to, and supports their school curriculum.

GSI also work to provide clear, understandable information on geoscience topics that are relevant to society from natural hazards to climate change, energy and geology, the marine environment and more. Events and exhibitions also provide a great opportunity to engage with the public and promote geosciences. Along with organising its own events, GSI takes part in a range of annual events like the BT Young Scientist exhibition and the National Ploughing Championships.

GSI has a wide range of books, maps and publications available for purchase through the online shop.

Products are also available to view and purchase in the Customer Centre, a walk-in facility open to members of the public.