J. C. Coleman
Encyclopedia
John C. Coleman (died April 1971) was a respected Irish
geologist
, archaeologist and speleologist. He devoted much of his life to the study of the cave
s 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 Society of Ireland
.
, Ireland
and worked for Bord Fáilte from 1945, having trained as a geographer in Cork University. He began caving in 1933, initially exploring caves within cycling distance of his home in Cork City such as Carrigtwohill Caves and Ovens Caves. In the mid 1940's he began to explore Pollnagollum
in county Clare
with N.J. Dunnington and was the first person to undertake a systematic exploration of the system. Coleman was also the first speleologist to identify scalloping as an indicator of the direction of water flow in a cave. Throughout the 1950s Coleman carried out much fieldwork in areas such as Sligo
, Monaghan
and the Cong
region, which would pave the way for further discoveries by local and visiting speleologists.
In 1964 Coleman founded the Speleological Society of Ireland
, the first representative body for cavers in Ireland. He was also the first editor of the Society's journal Irish Speleology. Coleman published his work widely in a number of publications. His articles included work on Dunmore Cave, Carrigtwohill Caves and Pollnagollum
, but it was not until 1965 that his seminal work, "The Caves of Ireland", was published. Originally written by Coleman as his MA
thesis
at Cork University, the book was the first and currently only publication to comprehensively list and describe cave sites throughout Ireland
. Coleman was killed in a car accident in April 1971.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
, archaeologist and speleologist. He devoted much of his life to the study of the cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s of Ireland, the product of which were his many contributions to scientific journals in Ireland and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and his founding of the Speleological Society of Ireland
Speleological Union of Ireland
The Speleological Union of Ireland 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....
.
Life and caving exploits
Coleman was born in CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, 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 worked for Bord Fáilte from 1945, having trained as a geographer in Cork University. He began caving in 1933, initially exploring caves within cycling distance of his home in Cork City such as Carrigtwohill Caves and Ovens Caves. In the mid 1940's he began to explore Pollnagollum
Pollnagollum
Pollnagollum–Poulelva is an active stream passage cave situated in County Clare, Ireland.- Description :...
in county Clare
Clare
-Australia:* Clare, South Australia, town in the Clare Valley* Clare Valley, wine region-Canada:* Clare, Nova Scotia, municipal district* Clare , electoral district-Ireland:* County Clare, one of the 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland...
with N.J. Dunnington and was the first person to undertake a systematic exploration of the system. Coleman was also the first speleologist to identify scalloping as an indicator of the direction of water flow in a cave. Throughout the 1950s Coleman carried out much fieldwork in areas such as Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Monaghan
Monaghan
Monaghan is the county town of County Monaghan in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 7,811 . The town is located on the main road, the N2 road, from Dublin north to both Derry and Letterkenny.-Toponym:...
and the Cong
Cong
Cong may refer to:*Cong , a form of jade artifact from ancient China*Cong , a Chinese surname.*Cống people, an indigenous people of about 1,700 in Vietnam*Cong, County Mayo, a village in the Republic of Ireland...
region, which would pave the way for further discoveries by local and visiting speleologists.
In 1964 Coleman founded the Speleological Society of Ireland
Speleological Union of Ireland
The Speleological Union of Ireland 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....
, the first representative body for cavers in Ireland. He was also the first editor of the Society's journal Irish Speleology. Coleman published his work widely in a number of publications. His articles included work on Dunmore Cave, Carrigtwohill Caves and Pollnagollum
Pollnagollum
Pollnagollum–Poulelva is an active stream passage cave situated in County Clare, Ireland.- Description :...
, but it was not until 1965 that his seminal work, "The Caves of Ireland", was published. Originally written by Coleman as his MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
at Cork University, the book was the first and currently only publication to comprehensively list and describe cave sites throughout 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...
. Coleman was killed in a car accident in April 1971.