News 2015
Mind the Gap II launched
Dr Paddy Sleeman launches his new book 'Mind the Gap II' at a recent event at the National Botanic Gardens.
Dr Tom Kelly writes:
We made our way, as dusk approached, to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin to attend the launch of Sleeman, Carlsson and Carlsson’s Mind the Gap II. And there, against the stunning background of the restored Victorian Great Palm House, this latest volume in Paddy’s Sleeman’s trilogy (1986, 2008 and 2014) on the post-glacial origin of the Irish fauna and flora was elegantly introduced by Dr Liam Downey –himself something of an Olympian figure in the history of Science in Ireland. While perhaps not an intellectual Lek –in the sense intended by David Lodge- it nevertheless was a gathering of some august figures including Dr Sean Mac Eoin – director of the Fota Wildlife Trust who gave generous sponsorship to the entire enterprise and Mr Nigel Monaghan – now the editor of the Irish Naturalists’ Journal – as well as other luminaries.
This impressively and expeditiously produced volume – an occasional publication of the Irish Naturalists’ Journal – contains an Introduction -11 research papers and a Glossary.
In his address Dr Downey praised the contribution of Dr Paddy Sleeman – not just for this volume but for his unique overall contribution to the “Irish postglacial” research effort. Although assisted by others including Julia and John Davenport and Robert Devoy and Peter Woodman as co-editors of previous volumes, it has been Paddy Sleeman’s energy, enthusiasm, determination and single-mindedness that has organised the meetings and conferences, ‘encouraged’ the authors to complete and submit their manuscripts and to oversee the publication of the three volumes – in addition to presenting his own research papers. By any standards this represents a major contribution by Paddy Sleeman to the literature on the “Irish Question” (Moore,1987). It is unfortunate (if not lamentable) therefore that the editors of “Mind the Gap 11 – felt it necessary to draw attention to the fact that the findings presented in previous volumes have been “unacknowledged” in recent related literature published by their peers.
As night descended we left the National Botanic Gardens (itself something of a refugium which has escaped the worst excesses of the Anthropocene in Ireland) speculating as to whether or not this would be the final word on the Irish postglacial? Not a chance! The field remains wide-open and happily Paddy Sleeman continues to be as enthusiastic as ever. For those who want to read on - Mind the Gap II. is available from www.irishnaturalistsjournal.org or from Irish Naturalists’ Journal Ltd, c/o National Museums Northern Ireland, Cultra, Holywood, Co. Down BT18 0EU.
Moore, P.D (1987) Snails and the Irish question. Nature 328: 381-382
At the launch of Mind the Gap II: Sean McKeown (Fota), Jens Carlsson Paddy Sleeman & Nettan Carlsson (editors) pic.twitter.com/TznOqtBySN
— School of BEES, UCC (@uccBEES)
March 9, 2015
At the launch of Mind the Gap II recently: Nigel Monaghan, National Museum, Dr Paddy Sleeman , UCC and Dr Liam Downey pic.twitter.com/fOa8ub3Nu3
— School of BEES, UCC (@uccBEES)
March 9, 2015