Precious metals have been identified in the east and south east

There are more precious metals in streams and rivers in the east and south east than previously thought.

The Geological Survey of Ireland's Tellus Programme has said the most notable levels of platinum are found mainly in the area to the southeast of the towns of Aughrim and Tinahely on the Wicklow-Wexford border.

There are high levels of gold in streams near the Goldmines River and Avoca regions of Wicklow, as well as in streams that flow across Leinster granite.

High gold values in streams have also been identified in County Waterford, in the Dungarvan to Stradbally area, locally known as the 'Gold Coast'.

A broad zone of gold has also been identified in County Wicklow, north of the Sugar Loaf where only small traces of precious metal have been found previously.