River clean-up in Ennistymon

A team of local people got their hands dirty this week when they participated in a clean-up of part of the Cullinagh River, which flows through Ennistymon and is visible from the bridge on the town’s Lahinch Road. According to a spokesperson for the Ennistymon and District Community Organisation (EDCO), the group who organised and undertook the clean-up, the river has the potential to be a significant resource for the town, but, because of its condition, it has been under-utilised for a number of years.

“People see it when they have to go over the bridge going to the Cliffs of Moher or to Lahinch. It was regarded as an untapped asset in the town. It was one of the things that was brought up at the meetings last year before EDCO was founded.
“The view from the bridge could be fantastic and is fantastic when the cascades are in full flow but when the water levels go down, it does look quite dirty and grubby,” explained Caroline Hueston, EDCO secretary.
“There is a lovely grassed area on the Ennis side of the bridge with a bench and it could be restored and could make a pretty picnic area. There was a walk by the river too and it is very picturesque and could be reinstated,” she continues.
“The past week provided a perfect opportunity to undertake the work, as the water level was at its lowest following the recent dry spell,” outlined Caroline.
So far, the group has removed about 20 trailer loads of shale, weeds and branches from the river.
“There has been a visual impact already,” Caroline believes. “When we started the work, the river was almost dry but now it is flowing better than it was before and people are commenting on what has been done,” she claimed.
Among the works undertaken by the group was the clearing of a man-made island in the river.
“Years ago it was just a flower bed and over the years, trees have grown in it so we cleared it and we hope to restore it to its former glory and plant some flowers and shrubs there,” Caroline said.
Aside from its aesthetic value, Caroline believes the work will benefit the river’s underwater inhabitants.
“We worked from the beginning with the local fisheries board and Lower Shannon Trout and Course Fisheries Development Society, so all of the work that is being done is approved by them because it is an important salmon fishery area.
“It should improve the fisheries aspect, rather than negatively affect it. There was a lot of weed that would have disrupted the fish and that is being cleared now,” she stated.
As well as gaining sponsorship from a number of fisheries organisations, a member of the committee made a substantial financial contribution towards the project, which helped towards the hire of equipment needed to undertake the work. The group was further aided by people who gave their time free of charge to take part in the clean-up.
According to Caroline, the group hopes this is the start of a project that will continue over a number of years.
“This is a starting point,” she said. “And we would hope that the people in the town would become involved in whatever way they can.”