Caving is the exploration of natural underground spaces. It is an adventure sport with inherent risks; many caves are cold or wet or muddy, or all three.
If you don't mind all that it is also a chance to explore a unique world very different from the surface. Even in Ireland it is possible to go where few or even no people have been before. Technically potholes are caves that include vertical drops and therefore require the use of ropes and or ladders but most people use either word for the same activity.
The Speleological Union of Ireland is the national organizing body for caving throughout Ireland. Membership is open to anyone interested in caving, for a small fee.
The Speleological Union of Ireland receive a grant from the Irish Sports Council which is used to provide a number of services for cavers such as training, newsletters and magazines, an annual symposium, insurance, expedition grants, library and cave access agreements.
Speleology is the scientific study of caves, trying to understand why they have different shapes, why caves are found in some places but not in others.
Some caves are high and narrow, some are round in shape while others are square. Speleology studies the formation of caves and involves studying the minerals and life forms found in caves. It includes aspects of geology, geography, chemistry and biology.
ICRO stands for the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation. It is made up entirely of volunteers who may be called upon by the police services throughout Ireland to assist in cave rescue.
Any caver with a reasonable amount of experience would be expected to join the general call out list once they have comprehensive insurance. ICRO also has a Core Team made up of cavers who have trained in special rescue techniques and who regularly update their skills.
Extra websites have been added to SUI’s information sheet on fracking.
Information on Fracking is available for download.
The large cave spider Meta menardi (see image) has been elected Spider of the Year for 2012 by the European Society of Arachnology. I would greatly appreciate if cavers could keep their eyes peeled for this animal as they are entering cave systems through 2012.
This large spider is completely harmless and occupies only the twilight area of caves. It sets orb-webs close to the surface of walls and ceiling/wall angles, usually quite high up. The webs and the spider may be difficult to see due to the low light levels. It can be most easily spotted by looking for the large, white, globular, egg sac, some 2 to 3 cms in length, which the female suspends close to her web. These sacs are diagnostic of the species. If they or the spider are seen I would greatly appreciate if a photograph was taken and details of the cave location (name of cave will do) and date forwarded to me. Any additional information would be appreciated e.g. a rough estimate of the number of egg sacs.
I am informed by Colin Bunce that this spider is common in Irish caves, however I would like all the records individuals are willing to supply. I would also be very interested in negative records i.e. if the spider is not seen in a cave. All contributors of records will be acknowledged in potential publications.
Myles Nolan mylesnolan@hotmail.com m: 087 2315 015
Please note the following dates for SUI training for the coming year
Caving Fundamentals – March 10/11th – BOEC, Clare ,
Leave no Trace Trainers Course – July 14/15th – POEC, Galway
BCL training - August 11th/12th – BOEC, Clare
Cave Leader Training ( x2 weekends) – Dates TBC – GOEC, Fermanagh
BCL Assessment – By arrangement
For more details on any of these events please contact the training officer: suitrainer@caving.ie
“Hydraulic fracturing is a technique for recovering gas from relatively impermeable rocks such as shale. It involves pumping water containing sand and chemicals into boreholes at high pressure causing them to fracture and so increase their permeability. SUI is concerned that if hydraulic fracturing is carried out near karst areas it will impact groundwater, hydrology and cave environments. SUI will therefore use the planning process to object to any proposed drilling that may detrimentally impact sites of speleological interest within Ireland if needed.”
Additional Information on Fracking is available for download.
Leave No Trace Trainers course
Leave No Trace,
Location: Petersburg Outdoor center, Mayo.
Date: July 27th 28th 2012
This leave no trace Trainers course is developed with cavers in mind and will offer participants a wonderful experience using the outdoors as
its classroom. With numerous amounts of great locations to base practical skills and teaching on. Should the weather be as nice as we hope, we will have use of canoes to reach our overnight camping spot. The following day ends with a lovely cave trip and putting into practice what LNT is all about ~ having fun, learning something new, passing onto others what we learn and most of all, taking care of our natural playground.
Contact Una Donoghue (wildchildjim@hotmail.com) to book or for further info