Latest news with #GalwayBay
Irish Times
23-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘For the benefits, you need billions': Restoration of 20m oysters to Galway Bay not enough, says community group
Twenty million native oysters have been restored to St George's Bed in Galway Bay over the past four years following the work of a community organisation but billions are needed, says the group. While 20 million may sound considerable, Cuan Beo programme manager Michael Officer says the State must think bigger if native oysters are to become self-sustaining, because 'for the benefits, you need billions'. Oysters are the 'kidneys of the ocean' – one mollusc can remove algae particles and sediment from up to 240 litres of seawater per day. They grow on one another as part of a reproductive strategy and create towering reefs that safeguard coasts from erosion and are biodiversity hot spots. A native oyster shell. Photograph: Laoise Murray However, a parasite affecting native oysters and years of overfishing mean stocks across Europe are a small fraction of what they once were. Native oysters are no longer sold or eaten. READ MORE Irish oyster culture now depends on farming the Pacific oyster which was introduced in the 1970s to replenish stocks. Pacific oysters are unaffected by the parasite, but the taste is of lower quality. 'Oysters have been important to people in Ireland since there were people on the island,' says Noël Wilkins, professor emeritus of genetics at the University of Galway. Houses all along Ireland's coast were built on the back of the oyster industry and they have been a source of 'fast food' for centuries. As the traditional flat-bottomed oyster fishing boats decayed on the shoreline, coastal dwellers have all but forgotten the meaning of native oysters to their communities. Oyster shells in a flat-bottomed boat used for scoping. Photograph: Laoise Murray However, Cuan Beo has been using education, art, environmental science and policy strategies to reconnect locals to life in the sea since 2016. The organisation is run by master oyster farmer Diarmuid Kelly, researcher Colm O'Dowd and oyster farmer Gerry O'Halloran. 'We set it up because we weren't being listened to as individuals,' says Kelly. 'We wanted to emphasise to people that the land doesn't end when you come to high water, that there's a whole body of life out there, and a whole lot of people making a living from it.' 'People upstream have no idea that what they do is affecting oysters downstream', he says. Kelly adds that habitats are being polluted by agricultural runoff, leaking septic tanks and urban rainwater upstream, which flow into the bay water where oyster colonies are like 'sitting ducks'. Fortunately, he says the water in southeast Galway Bay has been upgraded to a class A standard by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority , although Kelly is mindful of Cuan Beo's role in improving the water. The group is looking forward to seeing national legislation establishing 30 per cent of the Republic's maritime area as a Marine Protected Area by 2030. The Government's pledge is greater than the 20 per cent required under the European Union nature restoration directive. Pacific oysters. Photograph: Laoise Murray Cuan Beo are planning an eco-credit project to quantify the value of oyster restoration and incentivise private financing of environmental projects. The organisation has received the maximum in local government and EU funding that can be allocated for the project. Consequently, it needs additional investment to scale up oyster restoration. Meanwhile, children in Clarinbridge primary school have been creating clay shells from moulds of ancient oyster shells with Galway-based artist Claire McLaughlin. These will be laid on the seabed as a surface upon which new oysters can grow. 'The children and the present oystering community [are] using this gift from the past to wish them well in their restoration,' says McLaughlin. Ceramic shells moulded from ancient native oysters. Photograph: Laoise Murray
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
McCormack and Stouffer seal victory at Irish Senior Amateur Championships
Eddie McCormack (Galway Bay) and Shelly Stouffer (Morningstar GC) emerged victorious after a dramatic final day at Kinsale Golf Club in the Irish Senior Men's Amateur Close Championship and Irish Senior Women's Amateur Open Championship, respectively. McCormack, who finished runner-up at Lough Erne last year, went one better this time around, with a composed final one under par round of 71 that featured superb putting and a decisive eagle on the final hole. Once more, testing conditions made scoring difficult on the West Cork course, but McCormack's experience and excellent short game proved crucial. A tightly fought contest saw little margin between the leaders all day, but the Galway native held his nerve to edge clear and secure the title. 'Delighted to be honest with you. It was a great putt. Putted it well all week, putted it well all day and it's great to win,' said McCormack. 'I finished second last year up in Lough Erne, that was sort of revenge for Lough Erne last year so delighted.' Trailing Bandon golfer Dave McCarthy and local member Kieran McCarthy heading into the final round, McCormack battled back early, with birdies on the 3rd, 5th, and 9th helping push the Irish Senior International into contention. The balance swung back and forth between the trio all afternoon. As the group headed down the 18th, McCormack and Dave McCarthy remained level until the eventual champion produced a fantastic second shot from the left rough, flighting his ball over the trees, landing it on the green, and making the resulting eagle putt to seal victory. 'It was a great battle all day, there was no inch or quarter given or taken so it was a good battle all day with the boys, it was tough,' said McCormack. 'Conditions were very tough and a lot of wind up. You don't mind the wind if there's no trees, but there's lots of trees around here, but it was good fun all day.' The Galway native now adds this title to his long list of achievements in the amateur ranks and despite his delight at claiming silverware is planning some muted celebrations on his journey home. 'Stop for Supermacs in Mallow on the way home, that'll be about the height of it,' said McCormack. Canada's Shelly Stouffer produced a stunning turnaround of her own after a slow start to her tournament as she claimed the Irish Senior Women's Amateur Open on her debut appearance in Ireland. A pair of impressive two under par rounds of 72, following an opening 78, pushed her up the leaderboard and ultimately to the title, taking a three shot victory over 2022 champion Laura Webb (Royal Portrush). 'It was awesome to be here, and I didn't have a great start on the first day so I was behind the eight ball but had a couple of good rounds to follow it so it was nice,' said Stouffer. 'It's awesome I can't even tell you. Coming over here for the first time and winning and it's just great. Kinsale is great and the people here were awesome, and it was awesome. Everything was really great.'
Irish Independent
22-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Iconic Wexford storytelling house celebrates 25 years – ‘The success is all down to those that attend'
The Thatched house in Lower Oulart, or the Lower Street as its known locally, was there in 1798. That area was the original village of Oulart and in the 1700s the present village evolved around the building of the old church St Mochua's as its known today. In 1995 the thatched house fell into disrepair and local bicentenary committee of 1798 decided to refurbish it. Once the rebuild and thatching was completed, two local women started using the building as a storytelling venue. As such, on June 12 2000 their monthly story nights started, providing music, songs, and tales to members of the community. Eileen Dempsey said that the celebratory night was true to the many nights they have spent in the house over the years. "Last Sunday night we celebrated our 25th anniversary a big crowd attended both old and new friends joined us. Unfortunately only three of the four remaining committee members were present as Jim Mythen the owner of Bygone Days story house was unable to be with us.' "Our local councillor Mary Farrell was present and spoke a few words she also sang Boolavogue, Jim Doyle also sang Galway Bay both those songs were performed on a regular basis by the late Jim Dunne a very good friend to all, but especially to the house,' she explained. Tea and coffee was served in the yard and both the house and the marquee were full to capacity with a large crowd sitting and watching the entertainment. So many people were in attendance that not everyone could be called upon to perform on the night. "We want to thank all who came to celebrate with us, those who brought cakes and those who helped in any way on the night or leading up to the night. A special thanks to those who come every month to make the nights so memorable, your friendship and support – it is very much appreciated. 'The success is all down to those that attend, so here's to the next 25th!' she added.
