A Palimpsest of Views from Lacken Hill, Co. Wexford

Connections through Landscape – Geology, Botany, Mycology and Land Use

Standing atop Lacken Hill, Co. Wexford allows impressive views of the surrounding landscape despite the hill only being 193m in height. The local geology, history, botany and current land use choices create connections through time in this place. This will be a gentle saunter up Lacken hill with Maria Cullen of the Irish Geological Association, taking in the wonders of the woodland on the way.

We will view the landscape primarily as a geology and habitat map laid out before us in all directions. We will contemplate the area's mountains that are remnant cores of a once great mountain range and hills that are the last vestiges of ancient volcanoes as well as the shaping of this landscape by ice and by human hands and machinery.

We make another connection with the future, regarding what our landscapes may look like as a result of our decisions, particularly in light of human impacts along with the geological and astronomical processes and changes that are always taking place.