The concept of this book originated from a conference held in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, on June 5-8, 2017. The conference, entitled ‘Sea, Land, and Spirit: Coastal Environment in the West of Ireland’, offered a unique multi-disciplinary forum for scholars who have a primary interest in the coastal environment as a shared national treasure to come together to increase their understanding, and to offer ideas and best practices to sustain the coasts for future generations. The conference was hosted by Sacred Heart University on its extension campus in Dingle.

This book is a reflection on the history and culture of communities and their interaction with the coastal environment. Knowledge of the sea and marine life and what it means to humanity are dependent on both scientific study and local knowledge.