Connections of Stone, Human hands and other Life – Geology, Architecture, Living Plants and Cryptogamic Botany.

The Walls of New Ross are varied in age, in their constituent materials and also in the species that live on and in them. There is much metamorphosed siltstone in the form of Ribband Group rocks from Ordovician times.

Many examples of Leinster Granite can be seen. These crystallised about 400 Million years ago. There are some rocks from further away too, like sandstones, limestone, volcanic rocks and there are red bricks and mortar made by human hands centuries ago.

Growing on these walls are a wide range of plants, lichenised fungi, mosses, liverworts, algae and ferns to name but some of the richness present. We will form a connection between medieval times and today, between geology and biodiversity. We will grow our capacity to notice, to identify and to protect. We will contemplate our choices in protecting these walls as archaeological and architectural features, as well as urban habitats, for future generations.

Join Maria Cullen, geologist and biologist, of the Irish Geological Association, as we walk from the Three Bullet Gate, along the oldest walls of William Street, taking a view of bedrock along the way and then proceeding along to the Society of Friends (Quaker) Burial Ground walls, where our walk will end.

Address
Three Bullet Gate Monument, Co. Wexford