Catchment News

Kilteevan River – Our Living Heritage

Mr Denis Naughton, Minister for Communications, Climate Acton and Environment, unveiled a new sign titled Kilteevan River – Our Living Heritage /Abhainn Chill Taobháin – Ár nOidhreacht Bheo, in Kilteevan County Roscommon on 26 March 2018.

The sign highlights the river, its wildlife and even includes a poem.

Eileen Fahey, Chairperson of Kilteevan Tidy Towns welcomed Minister Naughton and thanked him for agreeing to unveil the project.

“Catherine Seale our Waters and Communities Officer has made the Kilteevan community turn our attention towards all our water sources and catchments and we are very grateful to her for that.  We now know that we can no longer take these water sources for granted. We must to protect them as river habitats that are important for biodiversity, not only for fish but for supporting plant and animal life.” – Eileen Fahey, Chairperson Kilteevan Tidy Towns

Minister Naughton praised the work of Kilteevan Tidy Towns and spoke of the value of communities linking with local agencies and the local authority in developing communities. He also spoke about the importance of maintaining a clean environment in all our communities, minimising waste and enhancing biodiversity.

The Minister also visited Kilteevan National School Garden where the school children took him on a guided tour. The Minister chatted with children about the importance of upcycling, recycling, biodiversity, pollinators and Green Flags.

River Kilteevan’s Wildlife

A wildlife survey was completed before the sign was made which proved the importance of the Kilteevan river habitat for a huge range of local wildlife. Over one hundred species were identified.

Fish identified included Trout, Stickleback, Minnow, Perch, Crayfish and Eel.

Some of the birds associated with the river include Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail and the Little Grebe.

The birds and the fish take advantage of the different macroinvertebrates living in the river including freshwater snails, freshwater shrimp and mayfly nymphs.

The banks of the river are covered with many wild flowers and shrubs evident throughout the year. These include wild roses, crab apples, meadow sweet and ragged robin to name but a few.

Thanks:

Eileen Fahey and Kilteevan Tidy Towns wish to thank the following:

Catherine Seale, Communities and Water Officer, John Devaney and Oisín Naughton from Inland Fisheries Ireland and Niall Cribbon, National Parks and Wildlife.

Roscommon Signs and Pat Hoey for his kindness support, patience and perseverance in producing the sign.

David Featherstone and Seamus Hughes for creating the new stone seat at the slipway.

Without their support the project would not have been possible.

The Kilteevan River project was funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Acton and Environment, and Roscommon County Council under The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund.