This paper outlines the first step in improving the reliability of predicting fossil feather colour by investigating the statistical differences between melanin-based colour categories defined by human colour categorisation.

Huge eight-metre-long skeletons of the only dinosaurs known to have existed on the island of Ireland are set to go on display to the public for the very first time, in a spectacular new exhibition of Irish fossils.  

The Domain of the Dinosaurs will run in University College Cork’s Glucksman Gallery from Sunday November 16 until April 12 2026, and will feature over 250 real fossil specimens from land, sea and air, bringing the world of the Irish dinosaurs to life. These will be complemented by a series of older, pre-dinosaur Irish fossils that offer a tantalising glimpse of Ireland in deep time. By pairing these fossils with new artworks by Irish artists, the exhibition gives these ancient specimens a very human connection with the modern world. 

The School of BEES are thrilled to reveal the newest addition to the UCC Geological Garden, a 3 metre-long block of extremely fossiliferous Carboniferous limestone. The 300 million-year-old slab has an extraordinary fossil content, including many ancient marine creatures such as colonial and solitary corals, clam-like brachiopods and web-like bryozoans.

Unlike most other polished limestone blocks, and natural rock exposures, the block shows the fossil-rich rock layers fully in three dimensions. This gives an unprecedented view of life in the ancient ocean that covered Ireland during the Carboniferous Period.

Prof. McNamara said, “The block is simply jaw-dropping. It is a fabulous example of the classic Carboniferous marine ecosystem that Ireland is so famous for worldwide. We will put it to immediate use in teaching our undergraduate students and its very large size means that we can use it to study changes in the structure of the ancient ecosystem and environment over time.”

Prof. Wheeler said, “This limestone block is a remarkable resource that will be a source of inspiration to UCC students and the public for years to come.”

With our deepest thanks to Kilkenny Limestone Quarries, part of the Brachot group, for their very generous donation of the block and their continued and broader support of teaching and public engagement of palaeontology at UCC.  

The School of BEES and the Cork Geological Association are delighted to announce the first talk in the Lecture series for the forthcoming academic year, to be delivered by UCC Palaeo Group postdoctoral researcher Dr Valentina Rossi. Valentina will speak about her fossil research, and how cutting-edge microbeam investigation and statistical analyses can help us uncover forgeries. The event is free and open to the general public, but please book your place by emailing Dr Bettie Higgs (b.higgs@ucc.ie). Refreshments served afterwards!

More details available here

An international team of researchers including UCC palaeontologists have discovered a new species of fossil reptile from the Triassic period that had a large crest made of complex plume-like structures, long before modern-type feathers evolved. This dramatic breakthrough shakes our view of the evolution of skin and feathers in reptiles.