Go wild on lough derg

Holidaymakers are being encouraged to 'Go Wild' on Lough Derg with the launch of a new guide highlighting the rich natural amenities and heritage attractions on the lake and its hinterland.

The 'Lough Derg (on the Shannon) Nature Trail' was launched at Portumna's Irish Workhouse Centre recently. It is funded by the county councils of Tipperary, Clare and Galway, along with the Heritage Council and Lakelands & Inland Waterways initiative.
The guide places a strong emphasis on wildlife on Lough Derg, including the presence of White-tailed Sea Eagles, a key talking point at last week's launch.
It describes a variety of sites along the nature trail, including walking routes, lakeshore access, birdwatching locations, woodland parks, and viewing points for visitors to take in this “jewel in the crown of Ireland's biodiversity resource”.
In detailing 'Where to Go Wild in Lough Derg', the guide also focuses on 24 specific attractions around the lake, among them Ballina-Killaloe, The Lookout, Castelough Woods, Garrykennedy, Youghal Bay, Ryan's Point, Dromineer Bay, Luska Bay, Cominchas Wood (Coolbawn), and Terryglass.
Essentially a driving route with many stops along the way, the nature trail is around 130km long and takes about four hours to get around.
Cllr John Carroll represented Tipperary Co Council at the launch as Leas Cathaoirleach of the council. He commended all involved in the project and encouraged the public to get out and embrace the 'Go Wild on Lough Derg' theme.
Cllr Mary Holt, Cathaoirleach of Galway Co Council, formally launched the trail. She made reference to the often made point that Lough Derg's tourism potential is not yet realised. The lake is a “somewhat undiscovered” resource to many, home to much “hidden heritage”.
Cllr John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare Co Council, said the event was about supporting the “Lough Derg brand”. He pointed out that the number of holidaymakers in Ireland is rising and said it is important that the Lough Derg region benefits from this.
Cllr Crowe was delighted to announce that Clare Co Council is at “an advanced stage” in the purchase of Holy Island, a move that he said would greatly benefit the region.
Dr Allen Mee, manager of the White-tailed Sea Eagle reintroduction to Ireland programme, spoke of how the Lough Derg area is a relatively safe place for the eagles, despite last year's discovery of an eagle carcass with over 50 shotgun pellets in it at Ballinderry.
There are two pairs of White-tailed Sea Eagles nesting on the lake, at Mountshannon and at Church Island, Portumna. The Portumna pair has one chick that is only a few weeks old. Eagles frequently traverse the Derg; they have been sighted at Dromineer.
Dr Mee outlined the great need to protect these birds, especially from the inadvertent threat of hired cruisers. He said he is hoping to put together a team to safeguard the eagles on a voluntary basis.
The Mountshannon eagles attracted some 10,000 visitors between July and September last year, generating an estimated €500,000 for the local economy.
A representative of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland said it is inevitable that more people would want to come and see the Derg eagles. He said the association would use its website and other means of communication to get the message across that the eagles must be protected.
Lorcán O'Toole of the Golden Eagle Trust said the group has sought to provide a fulltime protection officer on Lough Derg but that funding is very limited.
In his presentation, Mr O'Toole encouraged farmers to use crow traps rather than poison to help protect the eagles.
Author of the guide Dr Janice Fuller detailed the rich variety of flora and fauna on and around the lake. She said wetland areas comprising reeds and rushes are important for ecology and flood mitigation.
Dr Fuller said the new guide aims to attract visitors interested in fish, birds, woodlands and raised bogs. The Lough Derg area is also a stronghold of otters and squirrels, and even the elusive Pine Martin is being sighted with increasing frequency around these parts.