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27/08/2004
First Irish settlers were mariners claim researchers
Researchers from the University of Ulster have found compelling new evidence to suggest that the first inhabitants of Ireland were mariners.
While the mythical tale of Finn McCool building a bridge from Ireland to Scotland is nothing more than fantasy, but the notion that the two countries were once joined by a land bridge is a commonly held belief among scientists.
Dr Andrew Cooper and his team from the Centre for Coastal and Marine Research at UU have joined forces with the University of Maine, in a bid to rediscover forgotten Irish landscapes buried thousands of metres beneath the sea.
Dr Cooper said: “At the end of the last Ice Age, sea-level in Northern Ireland was about 30 metres lower than it is now. That means the sea now covers a large area of formerly dry land. The coring equipment allows us to retrieve sediments from the seafloor containing remains of these former landscapes. The remains can give us vital information about past environmental conditions.
“The submerged landscapes were dry land about 10,000 years ago, at about the same time as the first humans arrived in Ireland. People most likely lived and hunted on these ancient coastal plains.
Dr Cooper and his team have been using specialist marine coring equipment, shipped in from the United States and the Department of Agriculture’s research vessel, the Lough Foyle, to extract samples of the seabed around the Northern Ireland coastline.
The samples will help them find out about what life was like 10,000 years ago, when the submerged land was part of the island, and when the first humans arrived in Ireland.
(MB)
While the mythical tale of Finn McCool building a bridge from Ireland to Scotland is nothing more than fantasy, but the notion that the two countries were once joined by a land bridge is a commonly held belief among scientists.
Dr Andrew Cooper and his team from the Centre for Coastal and Marine Research at UU have joined forces with the University of Maine, in a bid to rediscover forgotten Irish landscapes buried thousands of metres beneath the sea.
Dr Cooper said: “At the end of the last Ice Age, sea-level in Northern Ireland was about 30 metres lower than it is now. That means the sea now covers a large area of formerly dry land. The coring equipment allows us to retrieve sediments from the seafloor containing remains of these former landscapes. The remains can give us vital information about past environmental conditions.
“The submerged landscapes were dry land about 10,000 years ago, at about the same time as the first humans arrived in Ireland. People most likely lived and hunted on these ancient coastal plains.
Dr Cooper and his team have been using specialist marine coring equipment, shipped in from the United States and the Department of Agriculture’s research vessel, the Lough Foyle, to extract samples of the seabed around the Northern Ireland coastline.
The samples will help them find out about what life was like 10,000 years ago, when the submerged land was part of the island, and when the first humans arrived in Ireland.
(MB)
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05 November 2004
Irish shipwrecks studied in new book
The first ever study of shipwrecks that lie off the coasts of Ireland has been published by University of Ulster researchers. ‘Boats and Shipwrecks of Ireland’ highlights some of the thousands of sunken vessels that lie beneath the coastal waters of the island.
Irish shipwrecks studied in new book
The first ever study of shipwrecks that lie off the coasts of Ireland has been published by University of Ulster researchers. ‘Boats and Shipwrecks of Ireland’ highlights some of the thousands of sunken vessels that lie beneath the coastal waters of the island.
20 February 2013
Early Diagnosis 'Key' To Fighting Cancer - Poots
Prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and support are the best ways to continue Northern Ireland's fight against cancer. This was the message from Health Minister Edwin Poots as he delivered the keynote address at the Cancer Collaboration in Action conference today in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.
Early Diagnosis 'Key' To Fighting Cancer - Poots
Prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and support are the best ways to continue Northern Ireland's fight against cancer. This was the message from Health Minister Edwin Poots as he delivered the keynote address at the Cancer Collaboration in Action conference today in Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.
28 November 2007
World-Leading Cancer Research Centre Opens At QUB
Belfast is today the centre of the world in terms of cancer research as a new £25m research centre is officially opened.
World-Leading Cancer Research Centre Opens At QUB
Belfast is today the centre of the world in terms of cancer research as a new £25m research centre is officially opened.
28 October 2004
UU launches world-class researchers search
The University of Ulster has launched a campaign to attract world-class researchers to Northern Ireland as part of new research institute structures. The University is establishing 13 new research institutes as part of a strategic initiative to develop its position as a centre for outstanding research.
UU launches world-class researchers search
The University of Ulster has launched a campaign to attract world-class researchers to Northern Ireland as part of new research institute structures. The University is establishing 13 new research institutes as part of a strategic initiative to develop its position as a centre for outstanding research.
17 September 2004
Delegates arrive at Queen's for language and politics conference
Delegates from Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and further afield have come together at Queen's University Belfast today to explore issues of language and politics.
Delegates arrive at Queen's for language and politics conference
Delegates from Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and further afield have come together at Queen's University Belfast today to explore issues of language and politics.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
