Ireland completes 13-year national soil mapping programme in County Cork
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From: Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- Published on: 8 August 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
- Survey makes the island of Ireland one of the most geochemically mapped places in the world
Ireland has become one of the only countries in the world to complete detailed geochemical national soil sampling, as after 13 years the Tellus programme is collecting its final sample. Starting back in 2011 in the border region, the Tellus survey, which is managed by Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, has collected its final sample in county Cork. Samples were completed for Northern Ireland in 2006 and now all-island sampling is complete.
Teams of samplers have covered thousands of hectares of land, travelling through fields, bogs, and mountains to reach all corners of our island in the pursuit of soil. Samples were taken every 4 square kilometres on a regular grid, ensuring all types of soil were collected as part of the national survey. Samples were also collected within urban locations every 500 square metres. Once collected the samples are sent to a laboratory where the chemistry of the soil is analysed. This helps to provide information on the variability of soils in different regions. The derived analytical data is also being used by GSI as well as others such as Teagasc, the EPA and researchers to map soil for agricultural, environmental, health and geological benefits. In total over 42,000 samples from 20,660 different locations have been collected.
Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Oonagh Buckley was on hand to help collect the final sample from Mizen Head, west Cork, and said:
"I am delighted to be present for the final soil sample collection as part of the Tellus geochemistry programme. This has been an immense effort over many years by my Department, since the first samples were collected in Donegal. It is great that it is finishing up here on Mizen Head in County Cork overlooking the sea because this sample will mean that Ireland will be one of the best geochemically mapped countries in the world.
"This is a hugely significant moment for Ireland as we will have better scientific data to help make decisions on how we best manage our soils. We will be making this data freely available, and I look forward to seeing it support research in a variety of areas."
Final geochemical data from the Tellus survey is currently available for over 50% of the country, with more data being released over the coming months and years. Once all the data has been released, it will be used to deliver positive economic, environmental, and agricultural benefits by helping to assist in understanding the local environment, soil management and natural resource potential. By better understanding our soils we can minimise or target areas requiring fertilizers and identify contaminated soils in our cities. Data collected throughout the Tellus project is published and made freely available to all on the Tellus website.
A 'StoryMap' charting the progress of the soil survey over the years, along with places of interest is available to view on the GSI website.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) is Ireland's National Earth Science Agency. It is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and for the acquisition of data for this purpose. It produces a range of products including maps, reports and databases and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology. GSI is a division of the Department of the Environment Climate and Communications. 'Tellus' was the Roman goddess of the earth, also called Terra Mater.