Earth-shattering experience in Burren

WHEN you think of earthquakes and all things seismological, Ireland is probably not the first place that comes up on your Richter Scale.

Our little island does not feature on any major fault line, does not spew hot ash and lava from active volcanoes and the worst recorded earthquake felt here was a 5.4 in 1984. The epicentre of that particular shudder was in fact in Wales but was felt all along the east coast of Ireland.

“I was still in bed when I felt it,” recalls Tom Blake, director of the Irish Seismic Network.