Tag Archives: Shannon Estuary

The landmark Loop Head Lighthous will open to the public for the first time this year on  Friday. Located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary on the Loop Head Peninsula, it is one of two “Signature Discovery Points” in County Clare along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way It also is a landmark location on the Loop Head Heritage Trail and is one of 12 Great Lighthouses of Ireland. Loop Head Lighthouse is steeped in history and is rich in maritime heritage, with its origins dating back to the 1670s. The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound. In January 1991, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and today is monitored by the CIL.

Kilrush Marina is one of six new locations included in the marketing programme for the Cool Route project, which aims to grow numbers of private craft, super yachts and passenger liners visiting the coastlines of Ireland. Discussions led by the Harbour Master at the Port of Galway, Captain Brian Sheridan, led to the inclusion of an additional 150 nautical miles of Irish coastline, incorporating counties Clare, Galway and Mayo, into the bi-directional yacht cruising route. Cathaoirleach of Clare Councillor, Tom McNamara, said Clare will now be promoted to a growing marine visitor clientele as part of a wider Cool Route marketing programme. “This new sea route is being marketed internationally and will have a common branding, booking and information system. Clare’s coastal locations already have well-developed landside tourism infrastructure and, therefore, have plenty to offer marine visitors in terms of scenery and attractions,” he added. Brian McCarthy, acting director of economic development at Clare County Council, said the inclusion of …

Councillor Ian Lynch has expressed concern over what he says is the continued trawling of the Shannon Estuary, claiming it could have a negative effect on the bottle-nosed dolphin population in the area. He says he was contacted by members of the public when two trawlers were seen operating on the estuary. “Trawling the river estuary is not illegal and I appreciate that fishing is an extremely tough industry but the Shannon Estuary is a designated Special Area of Conservation. Pair trawling could have a detrimental effect on the natural ecology of the maritime life,” Councillor Lynch said. “I am calling on the minister to ban trawling in the Shannon Estuary until a detailed study is carried out on the effects this activity could have on the ecological system. Only when this study is completed, will we truly know if trawling our fish stocks is sustainable. As well as an increased risk of capturing seals or dolphins, if we deplete …

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan has unveiled the route for the Shannon Estuary Drive – the first in what is hoped to be a series of drives to be developed by Fáilte Ireland in collaboration with local stakeholders The aim is to encourage visitors to discover the variety of inland visitor experiences as they travel along the Wild Atlantic Way. The Shannon Estuary drive is a looped route of approximately 135 miles. “The Shannon Estuary Way new visitor experience provides a significant opportunity for Limerick and Ennis, as gateway towns to the Wild Atlantic Way, and will open up the region’s inland hinterland to visitors as well as support the strong local accommodation base and variety of visitor attractions and services along the route. “As the Wild Atlantic Way continues to grow, we can now start to develop additional experiences for visitors to enjoy and, through initiatives like this, we can start to develop tourism activity …

A year-long bird population and habitat survey will be carried out along the Shannon Estuary, taking in 1,220 hectares of land. The study is being undertaken by environmental consultants McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan, on behalf of the Shannon Estuary Strategic Infrastructure Framework Plan (SIFP) Steering Group, comprising stakeholders engaged in the development and management of Ireland’s largest and deepest estuary. The region’s local authorities in Clare, Kerry and Limerick have joined with Shannon Group and Shannon Foynes Port Company in promoting ‘Deep Water Marine Investment Opportunities’ on 1,220ha of land at six strategic locations deemed appropriate for marine-related investment. The sites include Moneypoint (280ha) and Innismurry/Cahericon (65ha) in Clare; Askeaton (98ha), Foynes Island (40ha) and Foynes Port and adjoining lands (186ha) in Limerick and Tarbert-Ballylongford landbank (550ha) in Kerry. The proposed bird usage survey area stretches from Limerick City to where the Shannon Estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean in West Clare and North Kerry. The survey will begin in May and is …

Two new touring routes, branching off the Wild Atlantic Way, have been launched by Minister of State for Tourism Patrick O’Donovan, as part of a new pilot scheme from Fáilte Ireland to encourage visitors to discover the variety of inland visitor experiences as they travel along the Wild Atlantic Way. The Shannon Estuary Drive and the Burren Drive are the first in a series of drives to be developed adjacent to the Wild Atlantic Way with additional routes planned for later next year. Welcoming the initiative to broaden visitor activity in the west, Minister O’Donovan said, “As the Wild Atlantic Way continues to grow three years since its launch, we can now start to develop additional experiences for visitors to enjoy and, vitally, through initiatives like this we can start to plan for a more even spread of visitors across the West of Ireland.” These new touring routes will incorporate existing sites in the wider geography adjacent to the Wild …

COUNCILLOR Ian Lynch has hit out at a lack of investment in Clare and a failure to make proper use of the Shannon Estuary. In a letter to Deputy Pat Breen, Councillor Lynch stated, “I see a recent announcement that the Government is seeking preclearance for freight from the port of Limerick, making the port of Foynes a shipping hub for Europe. “While the announcement is a welcome one for the region, it again shows the Government’s lack of commitment to County Clare and long-term foresight to maximise the Shannon Estuary’s potential. It’s hard to imagine why the Government would limit such a positive prospect to a port that is restricted for vessel turnaround and draft. This is even harder to imagine when the Shannon Foynes Port Authority controls the shipping to the second-deepest water port in Europe at Moneypoint but yet it remains undeveloped.” He feels the estuary is West Clare’s best hope of economic recovery. “The Shannon Estuary …

Five West Clare schools and volunteers from Kilrush Tidy Towns are participating in an environmental education initiative focusing on the aquatic and biodiversity resources of Poulnasherry Bay and its neighbouring Wood river catchment Poulnasherry Bay, a designated shellfish water on the Shannon Estuary, is located close to Querrin, Lisdeen and Moyasta. Utilising the award-winning ‘StreamScapes’ programme, Clare County Council and the Cork-based Coomhola Salmon Trust will host a series of field studies and theory sessions, backed up by a dedicated local environmental booklet that will be widely and freely distributed throughout the community. Kilrush Tidy Towns members and students from the five participating schools, namely Moyasta NS, Querrin NS, Gaelscoil Uí Choimín, St. Senan’s NS and Kilrush Community College, will be engaged in catchment studies and project work. “In hosting this programme, Clare County Council is giving people in the vicinity of Poulnasherry Bay and Kilrush the opportunity to learn about the important links between high status local water quality …