Galways Living Landscapes (Part 1: Eskers)

This book describes the geology, biodiversity and social history of eskers in Co. Galway. The word esker, meaning a long winding ridge of gravel and sand, is from the Old Irish word eiscir also meaning a ridge. The word esker is found in many place names and townland names throughout County Galway (e.g. Esker, Eskerboy, Eskeromweelakaun and Eskershanore), a testament to the way these glacially formed ridges are rooted in the language and local history. The glacial history of our recent past has shaped the landscape and created the swarms of long sinuous esker ridges so typical of east Galway and indeed of the Irish midlands. Links between geology and biodiversity are highlighted here by detailing the influences eskers have on the distribution of habitats and species. In addition, we outline the key role eskers have played in the social and economic history of County Galway. For example, they formed natural navigation routes, have well-drained areas for pastures and served as elevated sites for human settlement. The eskers of east Galway are part of an extensive network of esker ridges that occur throughout eastern Connaught and the central lowlands of Ireland. Six areas (see map inside cover) are described in the following chapters; five are located along a north-south corridor in the east of the county, while the sixth is situated to the west of Lough Corrib.