Ireland's Mass Wasting/Movement

Ireland is no stranger to landslides, mudflows, rockslides, etc.  Over the last hundred years or so, Ireland has experienced its fair share of landslides.  In my second blog, it states how Ireland has experienced about 50 landslides since the early 1900s which were caused by excessive rainfall and then followed by dry periods.

Landslide Susceptibility

Landslides are more common around the edge of the basalt plateaus in the Counties of Antrim and Londonderry.  Mudflows and debris flows are significant hazards along the Antrim Coast Road.  Mudflows are usually triggered by ground saturation after heavy rainfall which have blocked roads near Glenarm manny times.  In County Fermanagh, landslides and large block screes (a mass of small loose stones) occur at the base of steep mountains slopes and along cliff lines at Magho, Belmore, and Cuilcagh.

Landslide in Waterford, Ireland

Mudflow in South Galway

In 2003, Ireland experienced two major landslides only a month apart.  The first occurred in September of 2003 in Pollatomish, a small city in County Mayo, Ireland.  It occurred after a period of intense rainfall and caused considerable damage to roads, bridges, and property.  Over 40 families had to be evacuated from their homes due to this landslide.  Luckily, there were no casualties during this landslide or any other so far.  The second landslide happened in Derrybrien of County Galway on the side of a hill called Cashlaundrumlahan in October of 2003.  About 450,000 cubic meters of peat (brown, soil-like material) was dislodged over a 32 kilometer area.  According to studies, it was said that this landslide polluted rivers so badly, that it killed 50,000 to 100,000 fish.  Locals believe it was caused due to the construction of wind farms in the Slieve Mountains at Derrybrien.  The affected area of the landslide was almost entirel forest, so no one got hurt.

Locals in Derrybrien trudging through the aftermath

Since 2003, the Geological Survey of Ireland has been involved in the development of a National Landslides database.  The National Landslides database takes past and present landslide events to help with predicting and preventing future landslides.  The database recently completed the Irish Landslide Susceptibility Mapping project.  In early 2004, the Irish Landslide Working Group was established to help prevent landslides and bring awareness to the locals.  All the events added to the Irish database is also added to the National Landslides database.  So Ireland seems to be pretty well equipped to further handle any future landslides.  Yay!

Side note: It's St. Patrick's Day and I have Ireland so here are some fun facts;
-Saint Patrick was the patron saint and the national apostle of Ireland
-he was given credit for bringing Christianity back to Ireland
-the three-leafed clover was his metaphor to explain the Holy Trinity
-the first parade was actually held in New York City in 1762 by Irish soldiers serving in the English
military
-St. Patrick's Day falls in the middle of Lent but it was sorta a cheat day for the Irish and they were allowed to eat meat and feast in the afternoon after church in the morning
-the feast consisted of "irish bacon" or corned beef and cabbage
-according to Irish legend, St. Patrick's name was originally Maewyn Succat but he changed it to Patrick after becoming a priest
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FROM IRELAND!

Sources:

https://www.gsi.ie/NR/rdonlyres/829D5C0E-3E21-429F-88E3-82F899D11CA2/0/Landslidesin_Ireland.pdf

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/derrybrien-landslide-killed-up-to-100-000-fish-board-claims-1.388773

https://www.gsi.ie/Programmes/Quaternary+Geotechnical/Landslides/National+Landslide+Database.htm

http://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/history-of-st-patricks-day

http://mentalfloss.com/article/55599/15-delightful-facts-about-saint-patricks-day