Fantastic Mr Foot

Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Burren each year. Yet few have heard of the man who literally put the Burren on the map. Geologist and botanist Frederick James Foot (1830-67), a young genius who died prematurely in an accident, undertook pioneering research in Ireland and abroad into fossils, plants, animals, sea creatures and bats.

After helping create the first geological maps of Clare, Kerry, and Roscommon, he then devised a botanical map of the Burren, including many of his 114 plant discoveries. He also has descendants who are among Kilfenora’s most famous young musicians!

Gosia Horajska-Shaikh is a geologist, originally from Poland, but engaged for many years in Irish geo-heritage and geo-tourism. She actively researches the life and work of Foot, and won the Heritage Week Award in 2018 with her exhibition in Tralee “By Hammer, Lens and Pencil - North Kerry Landscape in the eye of Frederick James Foot”.

She will summarise key aspects of his wide-ranging work, particularly in Clare and the Burren, illustrated with some of his fine drawings. This event will be held in the inspiring surroundings of the Kilfenora Céilí Band exhibition room, adjoining the recently re-designed interpretive exhibition of the Burren that is essential viewing for visitors to North Clare.

This event is dedicated to the memory of Brother Sean McNamara, whose many writings on Burren topics included a booklet on Frederick Foot.