Project Description

There are many artificial structures along our Irish Sea coasts, such as sea walls, piers, breakwaters and harbours. These are important for many reasons as they often protect our shorelines, give access for fishing boats, provide a place for us to visit and engage in diverse recreational activities and connect us with our maritime heritage.

Many more are likely to be needed in the coming years to help expanding coastal communities adapt to the sea level rise and extreme weather patterns we are expecting. Existing structures will also need to be modified to remain fit for purpose. To ensure future coastal construction projects are sensitive to nature, we need to learn about existing structures and their role in society and the environment.

Researchers in the Ecostructure project are looking for interesting facts about structures along your coast. For example, if and how you use these structures? When were they built and what materials are they built from? How important are they to you and the local community? This is where you can help!

To find out more, submit a photo, map location and your story, please visit the project website here.

If you. have any questions about the project, please contact Sonya Agnew at sonya.agnew@ucd.ie