The week the GLOBE rolled into Killarney and took us by storm

IF you saw a model globe rolling through Killarney in recent days, it might be good to know there was very good reason for it.

More than 400 people, including 190 students, from 41 countries made Killarney their base for the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program Learning Expedition.

A science and education programme, it offers people from all over the world to engage in data collection, scientific processes, and to contribute to the understanding of the Earth system and global environment.

With a theme of ‘Mountains, Woods, and Water: Developing a Sense of Place’, the annual meeting took place at the Brehon Banquet Suite.

This was followed by activities such as a welcome reception, speeches, keynote student contributions and presentations, a country co-ordinator meeting, a US partner meeting, story-telling, reflections, Killarney National Park Field Experiences – and more besides.

Among the most colourful events was a parade and ball-rolling ceremony, followed by a welcome reception at Killarney House and Gardens.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan. The GLOBE parade of nations rolling through KIllarney National Park.