Sinkholes Tellus Border Earthquake - Geological Survey of Ireland

Geology Matters: Summer 2013
End of an era...
Tom McIntyre, Senior Technican
The end of May 2013 saw the end of
an era in the GSI with the retirement of
Kevin Crilly, Senior Driller. Kevin had
acquired an in depth knowledge of the
geological landscape of the country
having drilled thousands of drill holes
across the land and reporting back to
the project geologist.
Kevin Joined the Survey in August
1976 as an experienced driller having
worked for the previous eleven years
on projects in the UK and Africa. His
mission was to develop a drilling
capacity for the organisation, using
the Pilcon Wayfarer Drill which was
already in house. Initial projects in
the main were investigating sites
of Quaternary interest and proving
bedrock.
Then in the early 1980s with the
acquisition of Mobile Wireline Rig,
deeper investigation into the bedrock
became the norm and Kevin played a
major part in enhancing the knowledge
for various maps of the Bedrock
Series. Later still when ground water
protection studies were under taken,
Kevin carried out flight auger drilling
in those areas with limited Quaternary
information until every county was
covered.
For many years Kevin and the late
Dick O Brien operated as a cohesive
effective drilling team. They always
managed to explain their activity to
property owners so as to gain their
trust and permission to access sites.
Throughout his career in GSI, Kevin
interacted with very many people, from
the raw geological recruit who would
have benefited from his guidance
and knowledge, to the many property
owners and casual inquisitors curious
as to what was going on.
Kevin was always friendly, courteous
and an able ambassador for the GSI.
Kevin Crilly Senior Driller, being presented with a Du Noyer print by Koen Verbruggen, Director,
Geological Survey of Ireland and Tom McIntyre, Senior Technican.
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