Between Rocks and Hard Places

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This book explores the diverse Irish landscapes, connecting rocks to history, both past and present. The northern third of Ireland showcases a remarkable variety of rock types and ages. Interspersed throughout the text are sections titled Mythology and Geology, featuring tales of Finn McCool, the Children of Lir, and the sacred waters of the Shannon Pot, among others. Ireland's World Tour traces the origins of these rocks to distant lands before they united in the emerald isle. The "Did you know" sections highlight natural wonders like Sligo's coral reefs and the Marble Arch Caves. Forces that changed the landscape delve into the region's volcanic history, blending facts with mythology. The narrative then shifts to human arrival, discussing the Stone Age in The Axe Factor and the impact of local axes on life and landscape. Prominent Monuments examines prehistoric peoples and their stone circles and dolmens, while The Era of Buildings covers the transition to the Middle Ages with castles and temples, leading to modern architectural developments. The final chapter, Ancient Resources, Modern Dilemmas, reveals the extensive use of natural resources and the healing of landscape wounds, while addressing contemporary challenges in mineral and gas exploration and the need for new maps to accommodate a growing population in an increasingly wasteful society.