Dr. Matthew Parkes (1962-2020)It is with great sadness that I have to inform members that Matthew Parkes passed away on Friday October 23rd 2020 following a massive heart-attack at his home in Dublin. His passing is an immense loss to his family, friends and the caving, mining history and geological communities in Ireland.
He was involved in Irish caving for over 30 years and held many key posts in the Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) and the Mining History Trust of Ireland. He was the librarian of both, ensuring the cataloguing and safekeeping of their respective collections. He spearheaded cave and mine conservation efforts in Ireland, and recorded many obscure mines and caves throughout the country. An excellent publisher and editor, he wrote many papers and articles for a variety of journals - including editing issues of the MHTI Journal and Newsletter, the SUI Newsletter, the caving journal Irish Speleology, the popular magazine ES2K (Earth Science 2000), and the prestigious Irish Journal of Earth Sciences.
In his day job as a geological curator with the National Museum of Ireland he carried out invaluable work in archiving and maintaining Ireland's geological heritage.
Matthew in middle level of Gortavallig copper mine, Sheep’s Head Way, County Cork, Ireland
Read more about Matthew on the National Museum of Ireland website.
