Abstract
IN celebration of the centenary of the publication of Sir Robert Kane's "Industrial Resources of Ireland", the Royal Dublin Society has published (price 2s. 6d.) a number of lectures delivered before the Society last August, under the general title of "The Natural Resources of Ireland". Prof. M. A. Hogan, in reviewing the fuel resources of the country, does not see much hope of increased coal production, but believes that resources of the limited coalfields are sufficient to last at least 250 years. He foresees, on the other hand, a great increase in the use of turf, provided that mechanized means of cutting it can be devised. This would entail the preliminary easy drainage of large areas of bog, in order to bear the weight of heavy cutting machines. Mr. J. A. O'Riordan discusses the possibilities of water power. The Shannon and Liffey schemes have made a notable beginning, and their theoretical capacity is estimated at 84,000 horse-power. Gauging stations on other rivers and possibilities, still unmeasured, of smaller streams, promise great accretion to these resources. Mr. O'Riordan thinks that the potential production of hydro-electric power could eventually be doubled. It is to her water-power resources that Ireland must clearly look for energy in the future. A review of the mineral resources other than fuel, by Mr. D. W. Bishop, shows little of importance except phosphates. The metallic mineral resources are very small. Some in small supply, seem to have been exhausted.
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Resources of Ireland. Nature 155, 264 (1945). https://doi.org/10.1038/155264b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/155264b0