Geoecology Essay- Humans accelerating soil erosion

Discuss how human activities can accelerate soil erosion.

Soil erosion is when soil particles in the land get transported by gravity, water or wind. The human processes that accelerate soil erosion are overgrazing, over-cropping and desertification.

Overgrazing
Overgrazing occurs when farmers stock too many animals such as sheep, cattle or goats on their land. This damages the soil surface and increases the rate of soil erosion. Animals eat the vegetation cover and their hooves dig into the soil in wet areas or compact it into a hard surface in dry regions. This prevents grass growth and prevents water from percolating into the soil. Dry soils are eroded by the wind very easily. Once the soil has been trampled on and stripped of plants, its structure is damaged and its ability to hold water and nutrients is reduced. Soil structure is important because plant roots and water are found in the spaces between the soil peds. Peds are the small grains which are held together by humus and water. Peds have different shapes. Rounded peds give the soil a crumb structure. A crumb structure is best for soil aeration, water content and fertility. Overgrazing can change the structure to a platy structure or destroy the structure completely. As a result it can be easily eroded by wind and rain and pasture growth is also reduced. Too many animals on the land will eat all the plants and strip the soil of its protective vegetation cover. Plants, roots and branches protect soil from wind and rain. Soils that are exposed become drier and are easily blown or washed away. This situation has happened in many places around the world such as the Sahel region of Africa where population growth has led to an increase in the number of cattle and goats grazing on already dry land. It also occurred in Co. Mayo in Ireland during the 1990's when EU farm subsidies encouraged farmers to overstock their land with too many sheep. The fragile boglands of West Mayo were severely damaged.

Over-cropping 
Over-cropping occurs when the land is under continuous cultivation and is not allowed to lie fallow in between crops. The effect of over-cropping on soils is to reduce its water content and fertility. Infertile soils are more easily eroded by wins and rain. As nutrients are removed its structure is damaged as well. Over-cropped soils become dry and very dusty because the humus content has been reduced. Humus is important for improving the texture and structure of soil and for keeping it moist. In the Sahel region of Africa, over-cropping and overgrazing often occur together as a result of population increase. More people on the land leads to greater numbers of farmers who keep animals and grow crops. There is also less land to go around so whatever amount of land is available is under stress to produce food for the increasing population. Intensive cultivation of land in the soya plantations of South America can also lead to over-cropping. Here the soil is fertilized but the application of chemical fertilizers does not benefit the land as much as applying manure from animal waste. Therefore, over time the soil structure is damaged as it is over-cropped. The effect of over-cropping can be reduced by the addition of organic matter (cattle dung) to the soil and through immigration.

Desertification
Desertification is the spread of desert conditions into new ares. Desertified soils are dry , dusty and lack humus. Their fertility is reduced and they are affected by soil erosion. Africa is the continent most at risk from desertification, although Southern Europe, especially Southern Spain, is also at risk. Desertification often occurs as a result of a combination of drought, over-cropping, overgrazing and deforestation. High population growth in countries such as Sudan contributes to desertification due to the increases demand for food and fuel. Drought conditions increases the chance of desertification occurring when the soil is already stressed by over-cropping and overgrazing. In Sahelian countries such as Chad and Niger, cotton and cashew nuts are grown as cash crops on huge plantations as part of economic reforms in return for debt relief. People are removed form their land to make way for the plantations and must make a living on poor land at the edge of the plantations. The land is overgrazes and over-cropped and trees are cut down for fuel and building materials. Because so many trees have been cut down, cattle dung is used for fuel instead. This further deprives the soil of valuable nutrients, leading to increases desertification in the region during drought. The introduction of solar cookers in the Sahel could reduce the need for timber as a fuel. Trees are then planted which can help slow desertification in the region. 

Everywhere in the world where people change a natural ecosystem into agriculture, the land degrades. The visible part is erosion, when soil particles leave the land, transported by gravity, water or wind.

Geoecology Essay- Plant and Animal Adaptations to a Biome

Describe how plants and animals adapt to soil and climatic conditions in a biome you have studied.

A biome is an eco-system of 4 inter-related parts: climate, soils, plants and animals. The biome I have studied is the Tropical Rainforest Biome. In this biome, plants and animals have evolved body structures and ways of living that enable them to survive and reproduce in the particular soil and climatic conditions.

Climate and how plants adapt
In the tropical rainforest, the climate is wet and humid all year round. Heavy convectional rain falls each day with over 6000mm per year. Temperatures are high (average 27 C) and this combined with the heavy rainfall leads to high humidity, around 80%. Plants have adapted to the wet and humid conditions in many ways in order to survive in the tropical rainforest biome. Many plants have leaves designed to shed water from their surface very quickly. This prevents the branches becoming weighed down with water and breaking. Such designs include: 1. elongated leaves with deep grooves on the leaf surface to channel water to the tips, 2. leaves with very pointed ends (drip tips) to allow water to pour off them easily, and 3. smooth and hairless leaf surfaces to allow water to flow easily over them. A typical plant with these adaptations is the palm oil tree. If plants did not have these adaptations to their leaves, the plant would be weighed down with water and prone to fungal attack in the warm and humid conditions. Leaves are also large in order to capture as much light as possible in the dark understorey layer of the rainforest. Many tree species have saplings that have large leaves when they start to grow in the dark understorey but which then produce smaller leaves when they reach the light of the canopy. The emergent layer of trees is also an adaptation as tall trees grow and compete for light in the forest.

Soil and plant adaptations
Plants in the rainforest have adapted to grow successfully in the infertile latosol soil. They have adapted by growing very fast and having shallow root systems. Because of the wet, warm and humid conditions, dead organic matter is converted to humus very quickly by fungi and bacteria. If plants did not grow fast they would not be able to use the nutrients in the soil before they are leached out of it by heavy rain. Root systems are shallow because 90% of nutrients in the rainforest soil are in the upper O horizon so there is no need for plants to have deep roots. However to help support their great weigh, the tallest trees like mahogany have structures calls roots which grow out from the base of the trunk. These extended roots also increase the area over which nutrients can be absorbed from the soil.

Animal Adaptations to Climate and Soil
The tropical rainforest biome is perfect for animal survival. It is always warm and there are no seasons for food scarcity. There is shade in the jungle from the heat and shelter of the rain. There is no shortage of water. Due to the biodiversity of animals there is competition for food and space. Many animals have adapted by foraging for food at night, eg. jaguars. Many animals are arboreal, for example the wholly monkey and the sloth. They have adapted to living in tall jungle which grows in response to the climate and soil. Monkeys use their tails to keep balance as they jump from tree to tree. Flying squirrels have evolved flaps of skin between their front and back legs to jump between trees. Lemurs also live in the canopy. Macaws and parrots have hooked beaks which allow them to open nuts. They also use their beaks when climbing. The sloth has a two-toed claw to help grip the branches they hang from. They have large eyes to see in the shady environment. They have fur which keeps them warm as their metabolism is slow. The fur grows down form their body so the water form rainfall can be easily shed. Camouflage is one of the most effective adaptations used by many animals in the rainforest. One of the most common is for animals/insects/birds to use colour in order to look like a leaf or twig as the rainforest is scattered with with dead leaves. Moths, stick insects and tree frogs use this method. The jaguar has a spotted coat to blend into the shaded forest. Animals use blue/yellow/red to warn other species they are poisonous. An example is the macaw. The poison arrow frog is blue or green in colour and is poisonous. 

Geoecology Essay- Effect of Human Activity on a Biome

Assess how biomes have been altered by human activity

For the purpose of this question I will examine the Tropical Rainforest Biome and how it has been altered by human activities. Humans have had a massive impact on this biome and I will examine it under the headings of deforestation, intensive agriculture and the need for settlements areas.

Deforestation

There are various reasons why humans cut rainforests, however in Brazil it has been happening at an alarming rate since 1970. Trees are a renewable resource but in the Tropical Rainforest Biome not enough time is being given to allow to rainforest to grow back. The Brazilian Government is prepared to open up the 'Lungs of the Earth'in order to take advantage of the tropical hardwoods that grow in this biome and the mineral wealth that lies underneath the forest. Timber companies have been given the rights to remove forest and sell timber abroad. Tropical hardwoods such as teak and mahogany fetch huge profits abroad. The government of Brazil takes a percentage of these profits. However, illegal companies also operate, selling cheap supplies of plywood accounts for 80% of all timber produced. As the area is rich in resources, licences were given to mining companies o clear forests and mine for metals such as iron ore and copper. Experts estimate that 137 plant, animals and micro-organisms will be destroyed from this biome in the coming years due to deforestation. 40% of the rainforest will have disappeared. Natural habitats are being wiped out for plants and animal species, as well as the environment damage deforestation causes.

Intensive Agriculture

The Amazon covers 1 billion acres taking in countries like Brazil and Peru. 80% of the world's diet can grow in the Amazon like coconuts, oranges, bananas, rice, sugar and coffee. The opinion of the Brazilian government is that the rainforest is an economic resource and should be used to develop the economy. The demand in the Western World for cheap meat is met by Brazil's willingness to encourage MNC's to locate there to farm intensively or set up ranches. Ranches can slash and burn acres of rainforest and seed it with grass for cattle while receiving tax credits and loans from the government. Soya plantations are now becoming more of a threat than cattle ranches. Companies like McDonald's grow soya beans on acres of land that were once covered by forest. As a result the latosols of the Tropical Rainforest Biome are damaged by the agrochemicals and mechanisation levels to soil erosion. The roots of the trees that bind the soil together are gone and the heavy convectional rain washes the soil into the Amazon River. Soya is a plant not native to this biome and threatens the habitat as GMO's can invade the natural environment. The expansion of intensive agriculture (soya plantations) in Brazil is contributing to the loss of 40 hectare of rainforest every minute of every day. When a forest is cleared, the nutrient cycle is destroyed. The remaining soil can be easily washed away by heavy rain. In addition, as a result of the high temperatures in this region, the exposed soil is baked into a hard, brick-like surface, which cannot support plant growth. This is known as a laterite soil, which is useless for farming. The grass growth on the laterite is so poor that the beef cattle do not thrive and even more land is cleared to feed them.

Need for Settlement

A new capital, Brasilia, was built form scratch in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in the 50's as Brazil gained freedom from Portugal. This was to encourage the settlement of the region. Today it has a population of 2.3 million. To construct this city, large areas of forest were cleared. More deforestation occurred on the outskirts of the city where small, temporary housing settlements were built for the migrant workers who moved to this area in order to construct the new capital. Instead of returning to their original homes on completion of the city, these workers chose to stay and avail of the greater opportunities in Brasilia. An unlimited water supply and ideal river conditions led to the development of many HEP stations to support the growing settlements in the Amazon. Over 125 new HEP dams have been built in the Brazilian rainforest area. One example is the Tucuri Dam, which caused over 2500km  of rainforest to be flooded. More than 8000 people lost their homes and thousands of animals died. The Trans-Amazonian highway, a 5300km road, was built across Brazil from east to west to facilitate settlement in the Amazon basin and also to allow the movement of people and goods through previously inaccessible areas. This affects the emissions from all the cars using the road and many animals native to the biome were killed as the motorway crosses their natural habitat. In January 2000, the Brazilian government announced its plan for Avanca Brazil. This is a €30 billion plan to cover much of the Amazon rainforest with 10000km of highways, hydroelectric dams, power lines, mines, gas and oilfields, canals, ports, logging concessions and other industrial developments. All of the above has resulted in the loss of many species of plants, and this is a serious concern as some contain chemicals that could one day cure serious illnesses. About one quarter of the medicines we use come from rainforest plants eg. aspirin. The Tropical Rainforest Biome is a carbon sink meaning that the trees take in carbon from the air and store it and use it to create oxygen. Today as carbon emissions around the world rise, the loss of vast amounts of trees in the rainforest will contribute to climate change. By burning the forest to create land, more carbon is also released into the atmosphere.

Geoecology Essay- Characteristics of a Biome

Describe and explain the main characteristics of one biome that you have studied

The biome I have studied is the Tropical Rainforest Biome. A biome is an eco-system of four inter-related parts, namely climate, soil, plants and animals. The Tropical Rainforest Biome is found between latitude 5-23  north and south of the equator. The tropical rainforest can be found in 3 geographical locations: Central America and the Amazon Basin, the African-Congo Basin and Indo-Malaysia.

Climate
The climate in this region is tropical and its 2 distinguishing features are the constant heat and the high precipitation levels. Due to the location of this biome, which is so close to the equator, temperatures are high all year round. The temperature range is small between 20-30 C and there is no change in seasons. As the sun moves from its position over the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn the area that receives the greatest amount of heat known as the Thermal Equator moves with it. The rainforests receive 12 hours sunshine of intense heat almost daily and there is a small summer range. Humidity, which is the amount of water vapour in the air, is between 77-88%. This is high and it gives the regions an airless feel. Rainfall is one of the most significant characteristics of the Tropical climate. The type of rainfall experienced is convectional rainfall and occurs daily through the year. Due to the constant heat from the solar radiation the ground becomes warm which heats up the air. Hot air rises and becomes lighter and then cools and condenses. It then falls as a heavy burst of rain and it is often followed by thunder, but it doesn't last long and dries up quickly. Convectional rainfall occurs at around noon each day, as it is the hottest part of the day. Average rainfall per year is between 1250mm and 6000mm, making the tropical rainforest biome one of the wettest places on earth. Rainforests are unique in this way as half of the precipitation comes from the forests own evaporation. Each year a tree can release over 755 litres of water by transpiration and this falls back to the land as rain. These climatic conditions have a huge influence on the soil formation, vegetation and animals in this biome. For example, plants grow very well and there is plenty of food for animals. 

Soils 
The latosol, which is a zonal soil, is associated with tropical rainforest biome. Due to the climate, there are 2 processes at work in forming latosols, namely leaching and laterisation. due to heavy rainfall, the process of leaching is common. Humus is washed down through the horizons, draining the soil of nutrients. Thousands of years of heavy rainfall has resulted in the soil being very poor in nutrients. As a result, there is a very short nutrient cycle for plants and trees, Nutrients are mainly found in the living plants and layers of decomposing leaf litter on the O horizon. Various species of decomposers such as insects, bacteria and fungi make quick work of converting dead plant and animal matter into nutrients. The heat and humidity of the climate also helps break down leaf litter very rapidly. In order to absorb the nutrients before they are washed down through the soil plants and trees absorb them in their roots the moment they are released. 99% of nutrients are held in the roots mats of the forest floor. Deforestation can leave the latosol infertile in a very short time. Laterisation is also an important process at work. Chemical weathering dissolves iron and aluminium, which are found in the bedrock. They do not fully break down but become oxidized from the rainwater. Iron oxide (rust) forms and this gives the latosol its red colour. 

Vegetation
There are thousands of plants and trees that grow in the tropical rainforest biome due to the climate and the red soils. It is a bio diverse area and it is estimated that the rainforest has the greatest variety of living things on the planet. It is estimated that a typical patch of rainforest measuring 6km  conatins as many as 1500 flowering plants and 750 varities of trees. The constant heat combined with the rainfall makes it a thriving environment for growth. Many species grow such as the Tropical hardwoods like mahogany and teak. In the rainforest there are four layers, the emergent layer, the canopy, the understorey and the forest floor. Trees tend to be tall and thin as there is competition for light and space. In the emergent layer the tops of the trees are very tall at 40-80m high. In this layer trees are exposed to drying winds and they tend to have small pointed leaves. These giant trees also have straight smooth trunks with few branches. Their roots system is very shallow. In the canopy layer, trees are found 20-40m above the ground. Epiphytes (air plants) like mosses, lichen and orchids are able to grow on trees and absorb the rainfall and sunlight. The understorey is a dark environment that is under the canopy. No light gets through so growth is limited. Most plants are short and leafy, mostly non-flowering shrubs, ferns and vines, that have adapted to he filtered ligh and poor soil. On the forest floor less than 3% of light gets through. Leaves and dead animals rot quickly in this layer, providing nutrients for the soil. The flowers that blossom as well as the fruit also provide sources of food for other animals that live in the tropical rainforest biome. The flowers also offer nectar that hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are able to consume. Another valuable plant in this biome is the bromeliads. They have leaves that look similar to those of pineapples. That design collects water in the centre of it. Frogs, lizards and insects live in that area of water. Both vines and ferns grow all over the tropical rainforest biome. They help to connect the various layers found in the biome. For example there are herbs and mushrooms that grow on the floor. Various types of fruits and nuts grow on the plants and in the trees. Bananas grow on the vines in this particular biome as well.


Animals
The climate in the tropical rainforest biome is perfect for millions of types of animals and plats to live in. At least 15 million different animals have been identified in the rainforest. It is believed that there are also many more that haven't been identified yet. This is why it is very important to protect them. The specific types of animals that live in the tropical rainforest depend on the location. Small insects including the Monarch Butterfly and beetles live here. Beetles are very dominant as are termites. There are plenty of ants and spiders found in the biome as well. They can range in size from extremely small to larger ones. These are important parts of the biome even though they aren't as big as other living creatures found in it. The mammals include a variety of different types of  animals. Monkeys, bats, possums, jaguars and foxes can be found, among others. Reptiles including a variety of snakes live here. Many of them are extremely large and they live in the trees of the tropical rainforest biome. Amphibians including the frog and salamander reside in this biome. Some of the popular birds living here include the African Grey Parrot, Eagles and Hummingbirds. In the water of the tropical rainforest biome you will find various fish. They can include ells or piranhas. This is also home to plenty of species of amphibians which includes numerous frog species. There are a variety of animals that live in every single layer of the tropical rainforest biome. Some of them stay in one layer such as in the higher trees. Others live both in the trees and on land. They will go where they can find food and shelter. They also strive to avoid carious predators that share their biome. 

Leaving Cert Geography- Geoecology Essay

Describe and explain the characteristics of any one soil type you have studied

The soil type I have studied is brown earth soils. The key characteristics of soil are: colour, alkalinity, structure, humus content, texture and water content. These characteristics are affected by parent material, bedrock, topography, time and human activity.

Alkalinity
The alkalinity of soil refers to its pH value (its acidity or alkalinity). pH value affects many aspects of crop production and soil chemistry, including the availability of nutrients, the types of micro-organisms and the action of certain pesticides. Brown earths in Ireland are slightly acidic because of the high amount of rainfall and leaching of minerals in the soil. The pH of a soil is determined by climate, the bedrock, vegetation and cropping history. The addition of lime to the soil reduces pH levels. thereby reducing acidity. Fertilizers can affect soil pH, depending on what is used. C.A.N. (Calcium, Aluminium, Nitrate) has an acidifying effect. Cropping history also influences sol pH, for example if the same crop is planted it can strip alkaline nutrients from the soil leaving it acidic. The pH for most soil ranges from 5.5 to 7.5, and the most suitable pH for agriculture is 6.5. Leaching strips basic ions from soil leaving it acidic. Rotting vegetation produces CO2 which can cause a weak organic acid to form. Acidic soils lack calcium, magnesium and potassium which crops need to grow. The bedrock also influences soil pH as certain rocks produce certain soils. For example, granite in Donegal and Wicklow produce acidic soils. Neutral soils originate from limestone. 

Structure
Soil structure refers to the shape of peds in the soil. There are 3 main soil structures: crumb, platy or block. The structure of soil determines its degree of drainage and aeration. The water content of a soil is likewise influenced by structure. The moisture content of brown earth soils is influenced by the time of year and the topography. The optimum moisture content of soils is 25%. Air content is also vital and determined by the soils peds. Oxygen is needed for soil germination, plant growth, respiration and the breakdown of organic matter. The air content is influenced by climatic conditions including rainfall and human activities such as ploughing. The key geographic locations of brown earths in Ireland include the south, south-east and the midlands.

Humus Content
Humus refers to microscopic organic particles which are formed from decomposed organic matter. Soil organic material is made up of decaying remains of plants and animals. While humus is a relatively small part of soil, it is very important in determining the soils physical and chemical characteristics, including its fertility. Humus contributes to soil cation exchange capacity, water absorption and soil structure stability. It also aids the formation of soil aggregates, which controls pore size distribution, and the flow of water and air into and out of the soil. Humus also helps protect soil from erosion. The accumulation of humus in the O horizon leads to the release of nutrients into the soil. The main factors that determine the levels of organic matter in a soil are moisture, oxygen supply, pH and temperature. The humification rate varies according to climate; it is usually fast in hot humid regions and slow in cool, temperate conditions. In Ireland, for example, humification can take up to 10 years. The rich organic layer in the brown earth soils in Ireland is related to climatic conditions, which are favourable to the development of the natural deciduous forest biome. The addition of organic fertilizers (slurry and manure) and ploughing of crop residues increases organic matter and humus over time. However, the use of chemical pesticides can reduce biological activity and in turn reduces the level of humus.

Texture
Texture is the most important characteristic of a soil. The texture of soil influences drainage, nutrient content and the degree of which plant roots can penetrate it. Many of a soil's physical, chemical and biological attributes are related to texture, and textural determination is one of the essential elements in soil analysis. The texture of oil can be influenced by human activities such as ploughing, harrowing and the implementation of drainage programmes. Living organisms, especially burrowers, can also improve soil texture: moles, rabbits and earthworms can move and mix significant amounts of material over time. Parent material also has a significant role to play in influencing soil texture, for example when sandstone disintegrates it creates sandy soils, as in the Munster Valley region, while shale results in the formation of clay-dominant soils. Soil texture describes the size and distribution of individual soil particles, and the term usually refers to the amounts of sand, silt and clay in the soil. Soils are normally a mixture of all these, and a soil can be classified as loamy, sandy or clay, according to the proportions of sand, silt and clay in it. Brown earths have a loamy texture. Loamy soil has a mixture of sand, silt and clay, it is well aerated, has good drainage and retains minerals. Because of its fertility, farmers and gardeners prefer a loamy soil. In contrast, sandy soils contain more than 70% sand, they are well drained but may lose nutrients and are vulnerable to drought. Clay soils are described as heavy, and because the clay particles prevent water percolation they can become waterlogged. They can be difficult to plough and are best suited to pastoral farming.

Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916

*Just a small update on the last post, more about why we should be celebrating   the Rising.

''I ndiaidh a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin'' a deir an seanfhocal agus is fíor é maidir leis an tír ghlás álainn seo agus an stair corraitheach a bhaineann leí ó 1916 go 2016. Ní lá a ghabhann thart anois nach gcloistear faoi Éirí Amach na Cásca sna meáin go leor. Gan dabht ar bith, is cnámh spairne é, ach ar an abhar achrannach sin, caithfidh mé a chur an cheist: an cóir dúinn Éirí Amach na Cásca a cheiliúradh an bhliain seo?

Ba é Ardoifig an Phoist i mBaile Átha Cliath an lárionad dena heachtraí a tharla san Éirí Amach. Ghabh na reibilúinagh seilbh ar Ardoifig an Phoist Luan Cásca, an 24 Aibreán 1916. Inniu, tuigim an foirgnimh seo mar siombail chaithréimeach do ghníomhartha gaile is gaisce ár laochra náisiúnta a sheas suas go cróga in aghaidh ansmachta agus éagóra ar an Luan cinniúnach úd céad bliain óshin. ba iad sínitheoirí an fhorógra ná Eamonn Ceannt, Seamas O Congaile, Sean Mac Diarmada, Tomás Mac Donnacha, Pádraig Mac Piarais agus Seosamh Pluincéad. Bhí siad in aghaidh saoirse teoranta a tugadh ''Rialtas Dúchais''. Bhí saoirse iomlán, neamhspleáchas polaitiúil iomlán agus a bParlaimint féin ag teastail ó na ceannairí Gael. Mar sin, sílim gur cóir Éirí Amach na Cásca a cheiliúradh, mar murach Éirí Amach, bheadh Éire i bhfad níos difriúla inniu, ach níl aon dabht faoi sin.

Is cuid tábhachtach dár stair é an tÉirí Amach, agus mar sin, ceapaim gur uafásach an scéal nach dtuigeann a lán daoine óga in Éirinn inniu tábhacht agus torthaí na n-imeachtaí a tharla chéad bhliain ó shin. I ndáiríre, níor thuigim féin na himeachtaí roimh an bhliain seo. Creidim ní mór dúinn níos mó eolais a chur ar fáil i gcuraclaim staire na scoileanna mar chuid den ullmhú riachtanach don chomóradh mór an bhliain seo. Mar mura bhfoghlaimíonn aos óg na firicí faoin aimsir sin, bheadh an dáinséar ann i gcónaí go mbeidh siad ar nós cuma liom maidir leis na himeachtaí go léir a chuirfear ar siúl in onóir laochra 1916. Chomh maith leis sin, cuireann an tÉirí Amach go mór leis na trioblóidí i dTuaisceart na hÉireann. Má theastaíonn daoine óga na gníomharthaí sceimhlitheoireachta sin a fhoglaim, is gá níos mó eolais a chur ar fáil faoin Éirí Amach na Cásca.

Deirtear gurbh é ''saoirse creidimh, saoirse shibialta, cearta cothroma agus deiseanna cothroma'' an aisling a bhí ag na ceannairí Gael, ach ar ndóigh, theastaigh siad an spioraid Gaelach a chaomhnú ag an am céanna. Is é mo thuairim féin go bhfuil spiorad na sínitheoirí beo fós i measc muintir na hÉireann, agus gan aon agó, bheidís bródúil as ár gcultúr. Creidim féin gur thógfaidís bród áirithe as ár gcluichí Gaelacha. Tá clubanna CLG i ngach baile ar fud na tíre. Imrítear cluichí Gaelacha le mórtas agus meas. Samhlaigh sinitheoirí an fhorógra ag féachaint na gCluichí Cheannais na hÉireann i mí Meán Fomhair. Samhlaigh na tírghráthóirí ina seasamh go hard is go mórtasach ar Chnoc 16 agus iad ag béiceadh amach focail ''Amhrán na bhFiann''. Caithfear a rá go mhaireann an fíorspiorad Éireannach inár gcluichí dúchais; iománaíocht, camógaíocht, peil Ghaelach agus liathróid láimhe.

''Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam''. Seo seanfhocal ó bhéal Mac Piarais é féin. Buíochas leis an Éirí Amach, bhí rialtas na hÉireann ábalta an Ghaeilge agus cultúr na Gaeilge a chaomhnú ar fud na tíre. Bhunaigh Pádraig Mac Piarais an scoil lán-Ghaelach Scoil Éanna i Rath Fearnáin sa bhliain 1908 chun tréaniarracht a dhéanamh an teanga álainn shaibhir a chaomhnú agus a chosaint. Is léir gur bhuaigh a chuid iarrachtaí mar inniu, bíonn gach dalta ar fud na tíre ag foghlaim na Gaeilge agus ag déanamh an ábhar san Ardteist. Agus cé a chreidfeadh i 1916 go mbeadh ár teilifíse Gaeilge féin againn ar TG4, agus an stáisiúin raidío Raidío na Gaeltachta? Cinnte, tá éacht déanta acu ag cur ár gcultúr agus ár dteanga chun tosaigh. Creidim go huile is go hiomlán go mbeadh bród ag Piarais agus go leor na ceannairí eile as an dul chun cinn atá déanta inár dteanga dúchais le céad blianta anuas.

Ba é an príomhchúis leis an tÉirí Amach na Cásca 1916 ná chun neamhspleáchas polaitiúil a bhaint amach, agus is cinnte go n-éirí le ceannairí é sin a fhaigheann. Roimh an Éirí Amach, bhí polaiteoirí na Breataine Móire ag tochras a gceirtlín féin le blianta fada, agus is cinnte dearfa nach ar mhaithe le muintir na hÉireann a bhídís choíche. I ndáiríre. bhí siad ag iarraidh Impireacht na Breataine a leathnú. Ní raibh muid saor leis na céadta bliana ach, i 1916, tugadh seans úr dúinn saol nua a chruthú don phobal Éireannach den chéad uair. D'éirigh muidne freagrach as ár dtodhchaí, agus inniu, seasaimid go bródúil i measc náisiún uile an domhain inár dtír neamhspleách nua-aoiseach. Sin é cúis go leor eachtraí 1916 a cheiliúradh.

Is fada an bóthar atá súilta againn ón mbliain chinniúnach 1916. Thaispeáin Éirí Amach na Cásca dúinn go léir, má chuirimid uile le chéile, is féidir linn mar thír deacrachtaí ar bith a shárú. Is dóigh liom go mbeimís ag déanamh éagór mhaithe má ligimís an bhliain seo a théann thart gan an bhliaintiúil a chomóradh agus a cheiliúradh. Tá sé de dhualgas orainn mar sochaí an fís a bhí ag sínitheoirí an fhorógra a sheoladh ar aghaidh chuig na glúnta atá le teacht le mana na dtírghráthóirí inár gcroithe; ''seán agus sonas a lorg don náisiún uile agus do gach roinn di''. Beidh mé ag ceiliúradh an cuimhneacháin mór atá ag teacht le bród agus meas i mo chroí.