Description

The Coastal Atlas of Ireland is a landmark publication in the acclaimed Cork University Press Atlas Series, published in 2021. Edited by leading scholars including Robert Devoy, Val Cummins, Barry Brunt, Darius Bartlett, and Sarah Kandrot, the volume brings together contributions from over 100 researchers and experts across multiple disciplines.

The book offers a wide-ranging and deeply integrated exploration of Ireland’s coastline, treating it not just as a geographic boundary but as a dynamic system shaped by natural processes, human settlement, economic activity, and cultural history.

Structured into thematic sections, the atlas traces Ireland’s coastal story from ancient geological formation and prehistoric settlement, through historical development and maritime activity, to modern issues such as climate change, conservation, and sustainable marine resource use.

A key strength of the work is its interdisciplinary approach, combining:

• Physical geography and coastal geomorphology
• Marine and ecological science
• Archaeology and prehistoric settlement studies
• Historical land use and maritime trade
• Cultural landscapes and coastal identity
• Environmental management and future sustainability

The atlas is designed as both a scholarly reference and a visually rich educational resource, featuring extensive maps, photographs, diagrams, and case studies. It highlights Ireland’s global importance in marine science, coastal conservation, and blue economy development, while also situating local coastal communities within broader environmental and historical frameworks.

Key themes include:

• Geological formation of Ireland’s coastline
• Human colonisation and coastal settlement patterns
• Maritime trade, fishing, and economic development
• Coastal erosion, sea-level change, and climate impacts
• Biodiversity and marine ecosystems
• Cultural landscapes and coastal heritage
• Marine spatial planning and sustainable development
• Future challenges for Ireland’s coastal regions

The work is part of Cork University Press’s award-winning Atlas Series, which is widely recognised for combining academic research with public accessibility and high-quality visual production.

Overall, The Coastal Atlas of Ireland stands as a definitive reference on Ireland’s coastal environment, offering an integrated view of how land and sea interact to shape the island’s past, present, and future.