In 1895 and 1896 a group of English naturalists led by Edward Thomas Browne visited Ireland to carry out survey work in Valencia Harbour, which involved shore collecting, dredging and sampling the pelagic fauna. The area was selected because of the rich fauna in the harbour and the railway connection, but more importantly the presence of the Reverend Alexander Delap and his family who were naturalists. Browne, assisted by Gamble, organized the two visits and team work with other scientists produced the Royal Irish Academy report based on their findings.