Members of the Northern Ireland committee and attendees outside the St. Patrick Centre, Downpatrick in March 2013 (c) Professor Steve Royle
The Society’s Northern Ireland Regional Committee is celebrating its 10th anniversary today.
On 9 November 2010, Lynn Arthurs (CGeog) and Marielle O’Lone (CGeog), with the support of the geography departments at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, initiated the formation of a regional committee of the Society to be based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Professor Steve Royle (CGeog) was elected as the first, and subsequently long-serving, Chair of the committee.
The aim of the committee was to reach out to new and diverse audiences who were interested in geography but perhaps not in a formal or professional capacity, from sixth-formers and university students, to professionals and retirees from all walks of life.
The committee also wanted to provide networking opportunities for professionals, academics and enthusiasts and wanted the geographical community of Northern Ireland to be part of a renowned learned society and professional body, supporting geography and geographers across the world.
In the 10 years since its inception, the committee has organised 64 talks and events, including numerous evening lectures held at Queen’s University Belfast, as well as field trips to Downpatrick, the Sperrin hills and the Mourne Mountains, each captivating parts of Ulster.
The range of speakers has reflected the strong interest in geographical discourse in Northern Ireland, including local themes such as the discovery of a ‘buried village’ at Dunluce Castle and the discovery of the wreck of the Titanic, through to accounts of travel, research and adventure overseas, from the island geographies of Taiwan, to the melting seascapes of the Arctic ocean.
Dr Oliver Dunnett, current Chair of the Northern Ireland Regional Committee, said: “As the committee enters a period of digital evolution during the time of COVID-19, we are delighted to reflect on a successful 10 years, and can’t wait to see what stories of geography are waiting to be told over the coming years.”
Find out more about the work of our regional committees.