A talk by Dr Mike Simms

Countless animal species have lived in what we now call Ireland over the past 400 million of years, and many still do. Renowned artist Julian Friers brought some of these to life in a series of paintings for two exhibitions, Dippy on Tour and Wild Ireland. Julian’s scientist ‘sidekick’ for the exhibitions, geology curator Dr Mike Simms, will describe the science and the stories behind some of these paintings, from the Giant Deer to the Kerry Slug, and the Great Auk to a tiny blind cave shrimp, and more.

Growing up near Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, England, Mike found his first fossils in the family garden when just six years old In the 1970s he spent much of his time searching for fossils and neglecting schoolwork, thereby failing two of his A-levels at the first attempt! Subsequently he attained First Class Honours in Geology with Zoology at Bristol University and a Ph.D. at Birmingham University on Jurassic crinoids, an interest developed in his teens. Research, curatorial and teaching posts saw spells in Liverpool, Dublin, Cardiff, and Cheltenham. He has been geology curator at the Ulster Museum since 1996.

Mike has published many articles on fossils, caves, landscape change, meteorites, and more; contributed significantly to documenting Ireland's lichens; and curated the Elements exhibition at the Ulster Museum. In 1987 he was co-discoverer of the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a global climatic change synchronous with extinctions both on land and in the sea around 234 million years ago. Among four fossils named after Mike is the Jurassic cockroach Alderblattina simmsi.

Dr. Michael J. Simms is Curator of Natural Sciences at National Museums NI.

A talk by Geraldine Foley

Newry Canal is the oldest summit canal in the UK and Ireland having been built between 1731 and 1742. This illustrated talk looks at reasons for building the canal, how it was constructed and what needs to be done to restore it to recreational use. We will celebrate 300 years of unique natural and industrial heritage that is often taken for granted and undervalued.

Geraldine Foley is a member of the Newry and Portadown branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. She is an independent historical researcher with a particular interest in local 18th century economic history and our links to global maritime trading practices.

A talk by Professor Jim McAdam RSAI

A talk by Professor Mark Bailey, MBE
President of ANHPS

A talk by Dr Maria Donnelly

The lecture involves an exploration of scientific and philosophical attempts to understand the complexity of human Consciousness. The talk will consider current viewpoints on Consciousness, which draw on the work of multiple disciplines, including neuroscience, biomedical science, mathematics, physics, information technology and Philosophy. We will then take a look at where the future might take us and some of the new and possibly controversial ideas that are gaining traction.

Dr Maria Donnelly, MB, FFARCSI, FJFICMI, HDip Psych, graduated in medicine from University College Dublin in 1980 and retired in December 2022 after a distinguished career in Intensive Care Medicine. She served as Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine at Tallaght University Hospital from 1993 to 2022, including 13 years as Director of Intensive Care Services. Her leadership roles spanned clinical governance, education, research, and national advisory committees, with notable contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since retirement, she has completed a Higher Diploma in Psychotherapy and continues her intellectual and creative pursuits. 

A talk by Dr Colm Donnelly