Irish Geological Association Excursion
Peter Lewis Memorial Gold Panning Excursion
Glendalough Axe Club
Saturday 26th September 2026, 10:00am.
with Owen McFadden
For long time members this is a very important trip. A time to remember our old friend Peter, who is greatly missed by those who had the pleasure to be involved with the IGA when he was around, enjoying one of his favourite past times, gold panning! He would be delighted to know that we’re still inspiring amateur geologists to be their own prospectors and welcoming members old and new to experience a fun day of Gold Panning!
The outing promises to promote interpersonal interactions among participants, providing yet another opportunity for the eclectic gatherings of the IGA to enjoy a great day out. Everyone will have the chance to pan for gold and witness the small sluice in action in the field, encouraging collaboration and a pleasant, shared experience. As always, what makes the day is the participants that choose to come along.
When? Saturday 26th September 2026, 10:00am.
Where? Meet up at Axe Club Glendalough (Eircode A67 K3K6) - https://maps.app.goo.gl/CHwMB2oZtu2hQn3b7.
Car parking is available 5 minutes walk up the road, beside Woollen Mills and Laragh GAA grounds on the R755, open 8am-8pm.
What to bring? Wellies, gloves, and appropriate clothing to keep warm. If you have your own gold pan, then bring it along.
A camp stool or something portable to sit on is recommended as is something to eat and ideally something hot to drink.
Contact:
Excursions@geology.ie
Mobile 086 2201 600
Acknowledgement: The IGA is most grateful to the Geological Survey of Ireland for the loan of pans and sieves for this event.
Leaders:
Owen McFadden is a seasoned educator with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology and an M.Sc. in Science Communication, bringing over 25 years of experience in lecturing at the third level. While his academic background is not strictly in geology, his passion for the subject has developed through extensive fieldwork, global travel, and recreational exploration. Hailing from Donegal but residing for three decades near the Dublin Mountains, Owen has cultivated a special appreciation for geological formations and processes, which he is eager to share with fellow enthusiasts.
In recent years, Owen's geological pursuits have been enriched by his young son, Evan, who has developed a fascination with prospecting, hydrology, and the intricacies of rocks. Together, they have participated in various IGA excursions.
Their adventures have included gold panning in local streams, where they have dammed water to enhance their prospecting efforts. Although they have yet to discover a significant gold deposit (!!), the four flakes they have collected serve as cherished tokens of their outings, particularly those with our gold finding mentor Frank Clissman, who introduced them to the art of gold panning.