Speleological Union of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) is the official representative body of cavers
in Ireland
, both in the Republic of Ireland
and in Northern Ireland
. It is affiliated with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
. Collectively they are known as SUICRO.
was the first president. The society was reconstituted in 1983 as the Speleological Union of Ireland. In 2002 the SUI was set up as a limited company.
The SUI, in conjunction with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
, organises an annual symposium
for Irish cavers. It has been held every year since 1985.
Caving
Caving—also occasionally known as spelunking in the United States and potholing in the United Kingdom—is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, both in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It is affiliated with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation is a volunteer organisation specialising in cave rescue within the island of Ireland. ICRO attends, manages and carries out rescues at the request of the in the Republic of Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland, and is...
. Collectively they are known as SUICRO.
History
The SUI was originally founded as the Speleological Society of Ireland in 1964. Jack ColemanJ. C. Coleman
John C. Coleman was a respected Irish geologist, archaeologist and speleologist. He devoted much of his life to the study of the caves of Ireland, the product of which were his many contributions to scientific journals in Ireland and the United Kingdom and his founding of the Speleological...
was the first president. The society was reconstituted in 1983 as the Speleological Union of Ireland. In 2002 the SUI was set up as a limited company.
Functions
The SUI provides training for cave leaders and new cavers and represents cavers' interests in disputes with landowners. It also works to protect Irish caves from dumping, quarrying, development, et cetera. The union also publishes a journal, Irish Speleology . Grant aid is often provided by the SUI for caving expeditions.The SUI, in conjunction with the Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
Irish Cave Rescue Organisation
The Irish Cave Rescue Organisation is a volunteer organisation specialising in cave rescue within the island of Ireland. ICRO attends, manages and carries out rescues at the request of the in the Republic of Ireland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland, and is...
, organises an annual symposium
Symposium
In ancient Greece, the symposium was a drinking party. Literary works that describe or take place at a symposium include two Socratic dialogues, Plato's Symposium and Xenophon's Symposium, as well as a number of Greek poems such as the elegies of Theognis of Megara...
for Irish cavers. It has been held every year since 1985.