Michael O'Connell
LightNews LightNews
banner
moconnell007.bsky.social
Michael O'Connell
@moconnell007.bsky.social
730 followers 310 following 220 posts
Botanist, palaeoecologist. Research interests: long-term environmental change, local and global; also archaeology, geography, history & a spot of photography
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
moconnell007.bsky.social
Michael O'Connell @moconnell007.bsky.social · 6d
Pleased to do honours at launch of ‘Booleying in Ireland’ by Theresa McDonald. Anything you will ever wish to know re. #booleying #transhumance in Achill & beyond is here. Fruits of years of interdisciplinary research @universityofgalway.bsky.social @globalgalway.bsky.social @nmireland.bsky.social
Booleying in Ireland. A study of an ancient farming tradition in Achill, County Mayo BY Theresa McDonald Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2025 ISBN 1036447448, 9781036447441 331 pp; 10 Chapters + bibliography & index No. of illustrations: 116 – line drawings, photos incl. ‘old photographs’ cf. Lawrence Collection, archaeological drawings, graphs. Recent colour photographs No. of tables: 6 Front cover illustration: 'A Home in Achill’ 1905. Francis Sylvester Walker’s late nineteenth century watercolour of a booley house somewhere on Achill Island (© National Library of Ireland, 62911) Dr Theresa McDonald (author of: Booleying in Ireland. A study of an ancient farming tradition in Achill, County Mayo) Dr Kieran O’Conor (PhD supervisor; Archaeology, University of Galway) Professor Jim McAdam (editor of the volume; emeritus Queen’s University Belfast) Professor Michael O’Connell (launched the volume; emeritus University of Galway) Location: National Museum of Ireland, Country Life at Turlough, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
alisonfisk.bsky.social
A little bear figurine carved out of amber some 6,000 years ago 🐻❤️

A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.

Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.

📷 National Museum in Szczecin

#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Photo by G. Solecki/A. Piętak of a small figurine of a bear carved out of amber between 9600 and 4100 BC. The amber is a deep translucent orange. The display lighting makes it glow in places. The bear's head is carved to show ears, mouth, nostrils and eyes. A hole runs through the bear’s torso, suggesting it was threaded onto a cord. Dimensions: Length 10.2 cm, Height 4.2 It was discovered in Słupsk during peat mining in 1887. According to the museum catalogue ‘’Shortly after its discovery, the figure underwent conservation work to restore its original appearance as it was covered with a layer of dull patina from the exposure to the minerals contained in the peat. Already at that time, at the end of the 19th century, it was assumed the restoration had gone too far. The figure was stripped entirely of patina, the anatomical features of the animal were emphasised, the eyes and nostrils were sharply drawn, and the amber was carefully polished”. In 2013, a competition was organised by the Education Department of the National Museum in Szczecin, for children to choose a name for the bear. The winning name was ‘Słupcio’,
February 6, 2026 at 8:04 AM
moconnell007.bsky.social
The N59 leads to Leenane and Killary Fjord, looking respendent on Saturday, bathed in the low mid-day sun. The historic Leenane Hotel, recently extended & renovated, nestles among trees on the southern side of the inner fjord.
photographs taken from near where the N59 first meets the NE inner part of Killary Fjord. Wonderful reflections - the result of the exceptionally still conditions. Saturday, 31 Jan. 2026; Michael O'Connell View towards the NW. The steeply rising terrain is covered with cultivation ridges, now largely covered with bracken fern; in former times these were created for sowing potatoes (31 Jan 2026; MO'C) view to SW across inner Killary Fjord towards Leenane Hotel (31 Jan 2026; MO'C) Leenane Hotel, southern side of inner Killary Fjord (31 Jan 2026; MO'C)
February 4, 2026 at 12:49 AM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Travelled N59 Westport to Leenane on Saturday morning (31st Jan) on way to Galway. I had forgotten what a wonderful route it is. Photos from towards the southern end: sheep grazing on blanket bog & beyond wood pasture; Mweelrea with its enormous cirque towering to the west. A true kaleidoscope!
February 3, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
fakehistoryhunter.net
This elaborate, stave-built bucket was discovered in a peat bog in Derreen, Co Clare. Made from yew wood and ornamented with three bronze hoops, it dates from the 8th/9th century AD.
irisharchaeology.ie/2013/03/the-...
February 3, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
voxhib.bsky.social
Ahead of tomorrow's inevitable
deluge of social media imboloxology, this, by @elvabjohnston.bsky.social is the most significant piece of relevant scholarship in years. Do yourself a favour...

muse.jhu.edu/pub/423/arti...
Project MUSE -- Verification required!
muse.jhu.edu
January 31, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
ria.ie
Today, St Brigid’s Day, marks three years since Ireland’s first public holiday named after a woman. It’s a chance to celebrate the vital role women play in Irish culture and history.

Discover St Brigid's story on the @dib.ie https://www.dib.ie/biography/brigit-brighid-brid-bride-bridget-a0961.
February 1, 2026 at 9:59 AM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Today Lá Fhéile Bhríde, we celebrate St #Bridget, whose feast day marks the beginning of spring in olden #Celtic times. Weatherwise, it was certainly spring (almost summer) in #Connemara today. Climbered to Mám Éan, a pass in the Maumturks. Here St Patrick is reputed to have spent a night
Approaching the pilgrimage site at Mám Éan from the south (Recess side). Limestone statue of St Patrick in front of a small stone structures with 'St Patrick's bed' in between (hidden by the structures) 1/02/20026; MO'C Approaching the pilgrimage site at Mám Éan from the north (Maam/Corr side). The site nicely lit by the low winter sun. 1/02/2026; MO'C The pass at Mám Éan. At the middle distance, at the base of the mountain, is a small tarn (mountain lake) the mud / sediment from which yielded a full post-glacial history (last 12,000 years) of the local area. 1/02/2026; MO'C View to the SW from Mám Éan, across the bogs of Connemara towards Cashel hill; beyond the Atlantic Ocean. Evening, 1/02/2026; MO'C
February 1, 2026 at 11:13 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Pleased to do honours at launch of ‘Booleying in Ireland’ by Theresa McDonald. Anything you will ever wish to know re. #booleying #transhumance in Achill & beyond is here. Fruits of years of interdisciplinary research @universityofgalway.bsky.social @globalgalway.bsky.social @nmireland.bsky.social
Booleying in Ireland. A study of an ancient farming tradition in Achill, County Mayo BY Theresa McDonald Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2025 ISBN 1036447448, 9781036447441 331 pp; 10 Chapters + bibliography & index No. of illustrations: 116 – line drawings, photos incl. ‘old photographs’ cf. Lawrence Collection, archaeological drawings, graphs. Recent colour photographs No. of tables: 6 Front cover illustration: 'A Home in Achill’ 1905. Francis Sylvester Walker’s late nineteenth century watercolour of a booley house somewhere on Achill Island (© National Library of Ireland, 62911) Dr Theresa McDonald (author of: Booleying in Ireland. A study of an ancient farming tradition in Achill, County Mayo) Dr Kieran O’Conor (PhD supervisor; Archaeology, University of Galway) Professor Jim McAdam (editor of the volume; emeritus Queen’s University Belfast) Professor Michael O’Connell (launched the volume; emeritus University of Galway) Location: National Museum of Ireland, Country Life at Turlough, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
January 31, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
pittsmike.bsky.social
I didn’t expect to be posting about Stonehenge now but a new paper with yet more against the case for Salisbury Plain glaciers has been published. It prompted me to look at a discussion about sarsen last year which I missed. So here’s a thread about Stonehenge megalith sources /1
January 22, 2026 at 1:59 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Aurora borealis over #Galway Bay about 1 h ago. To naked eye it appeared as a light grey cloud with an ethereal feel. The camera saw it rather differently. @bgs.ac.uk says it is caused by geomagnetic storm caused by arrival of a coronal mass ejection that left the Sun on 18th January!
Photos taken 22.50+ h at the Beach at Grattan Rd., Salthill, Galway, looking SE over Galway Bay towards Marree & SE Burren. Michael O'Connell; 2026-01-19
January 19, 2026 at 11:27 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Great looking forward to #GGA lecture by Bernd Zolischka on Thursday 7pm. The Eifel volcanic field is spectacular; easily reached but also easily missed (nr Andernach on Rhine). Ash (#tephra) deposits from Laachersee eruption ca. 12900 y ago spread far & wide; local deposits an impressive sight
Thick ash deposits near the Laachersee from a volcanic eruption dating to 12900 y ago, i.e. preceding the start of the Younger Dryas climatic oscillation - an exceptionally cold period that lasted about 1000 y & that was followed by the post-glacial (Holocene). Photos: Michael O'Connell; 2 Sep 2008
January 19, 2026 at 8:20 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Mid-Clare Way, immediately S of #Burren, weaves its way through rolling fields of pasture. Woodland copses, mature trees in hedgerows & scrub provide high diversity of habitat. A most attractive walk-way in the middle of the Banner County (next post Dysart O'Dea, end point of this New Year walk)
These 3 photos from road that goes from Kilnamore to Dysart O'Dea, near Magowna Towerhouse (largely hidden by trees & scrub (photos: M. O'Connell; 3 Jan 2026) Dysart O'Dea countryside. View towards Mullach Mór & S Burren uplands. O'Dea towerhouse at centre of photo (M. O'Connell; 3 Jan 2026)
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
More than pleased that our recent #OA paper on Flora, Vegetation and Land-Use Changes on Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, appears in “Editor’s Choice Articles” www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17...
As well as tracing vegetation & land-use history, it has new information on filmy fern spores, Arbutus & buckwheat
Graphical Abstract summarising the publication O’Connell, Michael and Wolters, Steffen. 2025. Holocene flora, vegetation and land-use changes on Dingle peninsula, Ireland, as reflected in pollen analytical, archaeological and historical records. Diversity, 17, 456. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17070456
January 7, 2026 at 12:19 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Sunset this evening from historic Burrane graveyard, Co Clare, where Colleen Bawn is buried in grave of ancestor Peter O'Connell, compiler of early Irish dictionary. In foreground, Shannon estuary, beyond Kerry incl. Mount Brandon on Dingle peninsula & Atlantic Ocean @wildatlanticway.bsky.social
January 2, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
stonelands.bsky.social
Happy New Year! At midnight on Hogmanay, the Watch Stone will move from its position guarding the approach to the Ness of Brodgar to take a drink from Stenness loch. (Or so it is said!) Wishing you all a wonderful 2026, filled with folklore, fun and many a hike to an ancient site 💚🪨🎉
December 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
aoifeb1.bsky.social
A December sunset on Galway Bay.
Happy Christmas 🎄
December 25, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
osteoconnor.bsky.social
Remarkable!
December 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Aithbhliain for shéan is fé mhaise daoibh uile. Happy New Year
Earlier today in Loughshinny, nr. Skerries, Co. Dublin
Spectacular folding in Carboniferous limestone & shale strata in beautiful Loughshinny. Photos by Emer, December 31, 2025
December 31, 2025 at 10:04 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Merry Christmas / Nollaig shona / & Happy New Year / Aithbhliain faoi shéan is faoi mhaise díobh uile
December 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
#Equinox on Galway Bay, #Salthill, was special this pm. Occasionally the low winter sun broke through the low cloud; cold but relatively calm. Tide coming in, so shore birds busy making the most of opportunities presented. Brent geese attracting much attention & deservedly so
December 22, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
botanybeck.bsky.social
In recent years, I usually see the odd pink anemone-like female Hazel catkin before Christmas. I was surprised this week though to see so many fully open male catkins & producing lots of pollen too!!!! #wildflowerhour
December 21, 2025 at 7:34 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
Recent lecture ‘Mineral Memories’ in Aula Maxima @uniofgalway.bsky.social by Bernie Colhoun www.instagram.com/bernie.colho.... Bernie wowed us by her multifaceted artistic endeavours, portraying #landscapes, #time, #archaeology & #geology of #Ireland; making the complex appear simple & to be enjoyed
December 11, 2025 at 7:42 PM
moconnell007.bsky.social
The winter sun goes down on #Galway Bay. @salthill.bsky.social @wildatlanticway.bsky.social
December 11, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
theguardian.com
Linguists start compiling first ever complete dictionary of ancient Celtic
Linguists start compiling first ever complete dictionary of ancient Celtic
More than 1,000 words used as far back as 325BC to be collected for insight into past linguistic landscape
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Reposted by Michael O'Connell
egu.eu
Are you a #teacher looking for training opportunities in #geosciences or seeking #financial assistance for events that promote geoscience #education?

Apply now for the 2026 Field School for Teachers and Geoscience Education Event!
📆 31 December 2025: egu.eu/96EKUA

📸 Ole Zeising on #imaggeo
Image description: A woman wearing an orange jacket using a shovel on a snowy landscape with a tent and mountain in the background. Test reads: ' Apply for a Field School for Teachers, or Geoscience Education Event in 2026!'
December 7, 2025 at 11:35 AM