Community effort to restore Ballymacraven River in Clare to be celebrated this May bank holiday weekend

Efforts by a community to restore a river where a massive fish kill occurred, two years ago, are being celebrated during the May bank holiday weekend.
A free, family-friendly festival is taking place in Ennistymon, County Clare, over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, bringing together locals, volunteers, visitors and environmentalists to mark positive steps being taken to protect, restore and enhance local rivers.
It is being held exactly two years since a fish kill, in the Ballymacraven River, wiped out more than 2,000 fish, including vulnerable Atlantic salmon, brown trout and eels along a 2.6 kilometre stretch.
Uisce Eireann (UE) was fined €10,000 after admitting water pollution charges resulting from a discharge of iron sludge from a water treatment plant, which caused the fish kill. An upgrade has since been completed at the plant.
Community event on the Ballymacraven River in December 2024. Picture: Ruairí Ó Conchúir
The fish kill sparked a collective response from the local community to protect and restore this river for future generations. The Ennistymon Rivers Festival celebrates positive work that has been undertaken by volunteers on the Inagh and Ballymacraven rivers.
However, Kevin Nunan, chairman of the Restore Ballymacraven River Association, said work still needs to be done to restore the rivers, and to protect local biodiversity and natural habitats they contain: 'We are working to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come."
Ballymacraven River. Picture: Ruairí Ó Conchúir
The festival includes expert talks and workshops on aspects of river restoration, such as salmon conservation, the role trees play in river banks, and learning about river ecosystems.
Also included in the programme is a guided bat-walk, guided kayaking tours and a river restoration workshop for community groups and angling clubs.
Meanwhile, a €7.5million upgrade by UE at the Ballymacravan treatment plant ensures a safe and reliable water supply for local homes and businesses, according to UE.
Inagh River, Ennistymon in November, 2024. Picture: Ruairí Ó Conchúir
The supply has also been removed from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list of vulnerable water supplies.
Deirdre O'Loughlin, UE's regional drinking water compliance manager, said their key focus remained the protection of public health through the provision of safe, clean and secure water supplies.
'This critical upgrade at Ballymacravan ensures ongoing compliance with drinking water regulations and significantly reduces the risk of future water quality issues,'' she added.
Spring gentian, The Burren, County Clare
On an entirely different note, anyone visiting the Ennistymon area should avail of the opportunity to explore the Burren which looks its best at this time of year.
That emblematic blue flower of the Burren, spring gentian, is in bloom along with several other wildflowers, while butterflies and bumbles are also making their presence felt.
Given reasonable weather, it's a splendid time to explore the landscape of this unique part of Ireland, with its archaeological remains, limestone pavements, woodlands, numerous trails and much more.

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