Latest news with #LAWPRO
Agriland
2 days ago
- General
- Agriland
LAWPRO highlights nature-based solutions to protect water quality
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) recently held a two-day national conference on nature-based solutions at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT). Over 175 delegates attended the conference titled: Nature-based Solutions Conference- To Protect and Restore Urban, Rural, Coastal, and Riverine Environments. Delegates were welcomed by DKIT president, Dr. Diarmuid O'Callaghan, before the conference was formally opened by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan. The event was of particular interest to those wanting to understand and incorporate nature-based solutions into urban, rural, and coastal environments. Nature-based solutions use natural systems such as soil, plants and landscape features to manage climate risks and environmental challenges. According to DkIT, these methods reduce flooding and drought impacts, improve water quality and support biodiversity. Minister of State O'Sullivan said: 'Nature-based solutions have a large role to play in protecting water quality by helping to create climate resilience and improving biodiversity. We need more solutions to environmental issues that work with nature rather than trying to control it. 'The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimate that one third of climate mitigation needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, can be provided by nature-based solutions.' 'This conference will bring together experts who can share their experience and ideas for how to integrate and mainstream nature-based solutions into water management practice,' the minister added. LAWPRO The LAWPRO event was the second national nature-based solutions conference, and focused on technologies and strategies suitable to use in Ireland. Day one featured a number of expert presentations and panels, focused on the use and impact of nature-based solutions in a variety of settings including urban, rural, riverine, coastal and the private sector. The second day focused on nature-based solutions in action and offered a series of practical masterclass workshops to attendees covering urban solutions, river restoration and coastal restoration. The regional coordinator with LAWPRO, Dr. Fran Igoe said: 'Although the application of nature-based solutions is something new to many people in Ireland, our ancestors have been using these techniques for centuries. 'This conference allowed participants to explore how we can expand and mainstream such approaches to meet today's environmental challenges,' Igoe added.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Laragh-Glendalough, Rathdrum and Roundwood
Brockagh Country Market (carboot) Don't miss our Market/Carboot in Laragh (A98 D3H1) on 8th June. All sorts of bargains and from gifts, clothes, plants, books, toys, skincare products, candles, art, tools, household items etc. You might be a keen bargain hunter or enjoy browsing for affordable gifts. Open to the public from 10am to 3pm. Tea, coffee and food snacks are available. Our tasty Hot Dog and Burger is an affordable treat for the family lunch and for dessert and why not try a delicious homemade treat from our regular baker!! The barrier will be locked from 6pm Saturday evening until 8am Sunday morning. You can contact us by phone 0404 45600 (Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm) or email brockaghoffice@ All stallholders must pre book their space or no entry on the day. Public information meeting The Glenmacnass River is impacted by invasive and non-native vegetation which has badly degraded the banks and associated riparian habitat especially in the vicinity of Laragh bridge. Laragh/Glendalough Tidy Towns has received funding from LAWPRO to remove these non-native trees and shrubs from the islands and mill side riverbank in the vicinity of Laragh bridge. A Public information meeting will take place in Lynham's Hotel on 26th June at 7.30pm, where Ecological consultant, Faith Wilson, who prepared a report and invasive species management plan for the site, will present her findings and outline the steps needed to restore the river habitat to good ecological health. All are welcome and please bring a friend. St. Colmans Family Fun Day Have a family fun day out on Sunday 27th of July at 2pm in St. Colmans, Rathdrum. A fundraising event to benefit the residents of St Colmans. Raffle will be held on the day with live music and the wheel of fortune. Plus lots of other fun events on the day! Mobile library Next date: Thursday 12th & 26th June. A mobile comes to Laragh every second Thursday from 12.15 to 12.50pm and parks at the back of Lynhams Hotel. or contact staff on (087) 9135229. Free access to many online resources including ebooks, languages, magazines, downloadable audio books, newspapers and more. Glendalough Heritage Forum We are delighted to announce that Glendalough Community Excavations will return weekdays from 23rd June to 4th July. If you have an interest in archaeology and Glendalough it is a fantastic experience. We regret we cannot offer places to those under 18 this year. Adult places (subject to availability) are available from fixed blocks of two or three days. No prior knowledge of excavation is required and we endeavour to accommodate people of all abilities. For information and details of application please email glendaloughheritageforum@ RATHDRUM Avondale GAA Lotto - Results for Tuesday 27th May. No Jackpot Winner. Numbers drawn 3,6,8,10. Four match 3 winners €50 each: Kevin Fitzpatrick, seller online; Brendan Brady, seller Victor; Keith Hanlon, seller Catherine; Pj Rowley, seller Pj. Thank you for all your continued support. Next draw is on Tuesday 3rd June. Jackpot €2400. Tickets can be purchased on the clubforce app Gaelic Games For All - We are excited to announce the launch of our All Stars group at Avondale GAA Club an inclusive space for children with additional needs to enjoy Gaelic games no diagnosis needed. Who can join: Children from senior infants to 6th class all abilities welcome. What is it all about? Our goal is simply making Gaelic games accessible for every child focusing on fun participation and social inclusion(Not Competition) When: Saturday 10.30am till 11.30am. Pilot Programme: 10 weeks, starting in early June. Let's play, learn and grow together in an environment where every child shines! Please contact Darragh or Martina to register interest and secure a space for your child. If you are interested in helping out in any way, please let us know. Club Memorabilia - If Any one has any memorabilia Connected to the Avondale gaa club (Cups, Medals, Programmes etc) Can you please contact Sandra O'Shaughnessy on 083 3575421 or contact Victor O'Shaughnessy. Condolences - Avondale GAA would like to send its sincerest and heartfelt condolences to our club secretary Helen Penn on the passing of her father Roger over in England. Our thoughts and prayers are with Helen, Chris, Harrison, Kieran, Conor and extended family and friends. May Roger rest in Heavenly Peace.. Under 14 Blitz - Well done to these 11 amazing young men who represented Parnell Gaels in an U14 Blitz. This group is progressing with every game. Well done to all the parents for the early starts and also to Rocks for the welcome. Michael Dwyers Memorial Cup - Ahead of the Michael Dwyer 200 commemoration in August, Wicklow County Council have kindly sponsored the Michael Dwyer Memorial Cup. This match will be played between the U13 Clara Glens and Michael Dwyers teams, on Saturday 7th June, in Ballinacor at 3.30pm. Come and join us support these young lads, followed by a little celebration afterwards. Classic and vintage vehicle show Wicklow Vintage Club presents the Rathdrum Classic and vintage vehicle show on Sunday 8th June at Rathdrum Rugby Club Grounds A67XO45. Special attraction team engine on display. Registration at 11.30am. Opening to the public at 12pm. All money raised on the day will be going to Rathdrum Cancer Support and Wicklow Hospice and Friends of the Wicklow Community Service. Stall holders welcome on the day but need to book in advance by emailing wicklowvintageclubwvc@ Rathdrum Parish News Masses for the month of June in Clara Vale Church and Greenane - Sunday 8th June Greenane at 10am; Sunday 15th June Clara Vale at 9am; Sunday 22nd June at Greenane at 10am; Sunday 29th June at Clara Vale at 9am. Also in the Rathdrum parish church 6pm vigil mass on Saturday and 11.30am mass on a Sunday mass on public holidays and 9am mass on a Monday Wednesday Thursday and Friday and 9am Eucharistic service on Tuesday. Blessing Of The Graves - The blessing of the graves and the celebration of mass will take place in Greenane Cemetery on Sunday 8th June at 3pm and in Rathdrum Cemetery on Sunday 15th June at 3pm. Teas and Coffee After Mass - The second Sunday of the month tea and coffee will be available at the back of the church after the 11.30am mass All are welcome Thank you to the hospitality group for providing the refreshments. Rowing Around Ireland On behalf of the parish of Rathdrum we extend our very best wishes to four men. three from the parish of Rathdrum: Cormac Conroy, Michael Dowling and Diarmuid O'Briain; and Tom Nolan from Tinahely. The men are setting out next week weather permitting to row around Ireland and to break the present world record which stands at 32 days. More details to follow on their progress in due course. Condolences Condolences to Jean Maire, Cathal and Mairead McAdams and extended family on the sad passing of Jean McAdams. May she rest in peace. Your News Any group or organisation who wants to put notes in to the Rathdrum notes in the Wicklow People newspaper should forward the information via email to Sandyshaugh44@ or text/Whatsapp the message to 083 3575421 before 3pm on Sunday evening. ROUNDWOOD Music in Calary Music in Calary will be holding its annual piano festival between 11th and 20th June. This year we are delighted to host four concerts, and the performers are: Wednesday 11th June: Kalle Peura Saturday 14th June: Lorna Breen (soprano), Sarah Kilcoyne (mezzo) and Adam McDonagh (piano) Wednesday 18th June: Duo Lyrica (Fionnuala Moynihan, piano and Kieran Moynihan, flute) Friday 20th June: Macdara O'Seireadain (clarinet), David Kenny (viola), and Lance Coburn (piano) Music in Calary would like to thank Jeffers of Bandon for the hire of their Steinway piano and also Wicklow County Council for their support in enabling us to put on this concert. As usual, the concerts will begin at 8 pm with free parking available. If you would like to book tickets or for further information, please email derekneilson11@ or ring (01) 2818118. Tickets for each of the concerts are €18 and €15 for concessions and may be paid for by cash, cheque or card at the door. Local directory The Roundwood and District Community Council are compiling a local directory of all the organisations, clubs, associations, activities, etc., taking place in the Roundwood- Moneystown area. The details required include name of group/activities, contact name, contact number, email, website and similar details. A sentence about your group can be added if it's not obvious please! By submitting the details, you are consenting to having these details printed in a booklet to be circulated in the area. This local directory forms part of the Biodiversity Tidy Towns Group's 'Welcome Wings project' to help disseminate information to new and not so new residents! Please email the details to info@ or pop them into the Roundwood Lotto box above the ATM in Centra in an envelope marked Welcome Wings. Last date for receiving this information is Wednesday 4th June. Blessing of the graves Glendalough–Friday 13th June at 7pm; Roundwood–Friday 20th June at 7pm. Jenny's Pre-School Open Day Jenny's Pre-school Open Day for new children for September 2025 & 2026 takes place on Friday 6th June from 10.30 am to 11.30 am Active Retirement Next Bingo is in Annamoe Community Centre on Sunday 15th June at 3pm - all welcome. The 2025 membership is now due. The trip to Mayo is totally full now. Social Whist Result of whist held on Wednesday 28th May. Top Score: Jimmy Molloy. First Gent: Richie Cullen. Second Gent: Margaret Kennedy. First Lady: Catherine Doyle. Second Lady: Maura McHugh. First Half: Marie Magee. Second Half: Monica Brady. Lowest Score: Patricia Byrne. Longest Sitting: Tiny Shortt. Raffle Prizes: Margaret Kennedy, Ann Pierce and Marie Magee. Next Whist will take place on Wednesday 11th June starting at 8pm in the Parish Hall. Come along and enjoy a night of cards with us. Card game 45 Card Game is played every Tuesday night in Moneystown Community Centre starting at 8pm. Teas served. All are welcome. Local notes
Irish Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
North Kerry public will have chance to ask questions on local water quality at upcoming meeting
The meeting is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage engagement on the subject from the community, agencies and groups. The event has been organised by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), which works on behalf of Ireland's local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes and estuaries, ground and coastal water. LAWPRO experts will take attendees through the work that has been carried out through its River Basin Management Plan and what is being planned for the future in Listowel Municipal District. Those in attendance will have opportunities to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme and the LAWPRO Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership project team. Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, director of services with LAWPRO, said that his organisation would like to take the opportunity to welcome members of the public to come and find out more about what is happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Kerry because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements,' Mr Coleman said. 'We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them.' The information meeting will take place from 7pm to 9.30pm at Kerry Writer's Museum on June 10.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Community information meeting on Wicklow water quality announced
Under the Water Action Plan 2024 – A River Basin Management Plan for Ireland, LAWPRO carries out work in areas identified as having poor water quality called priority areas for action (PAAs) to support targeted water quality improvements by state bodies and local authorities. Since 2018 LAWPRO has been working in PAAs in Wicklow and the information evening will involve discussions on the work commencing first in Kilcoole, Newcastle and Newtowmountkennedy PAA this summer. Ahead of the community information meeting, Basil Mannion, senior community water officer with LAWPRO said: 'As we are coming to the end of second cycle work and expanding our third cycle plans for further work in the area under the Water Action Plan, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about what's happening in their local waterbodies. 'We hope to engage as many people as possible at the two meetings as public participation is key to helping make water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity who work in their local areas and help to make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that lives in and around them.' The information meeting takes place at the Parkview Hotel, Newtownmountkennedy, from 7.30pm on Thursday, May 6. The meeting is being held to increase awareness about water quality work in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors. LAWPRO catchment scientists will take you through the work that has been carried out and what is being planned under the third cycle Water Action Plan 2024. There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) programme and the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project.
Irish Examiner
28-04-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
National push to protect rivers and secure nitrates derogation
A Teagasc team has been set the challenge to coordinate the efforts of all relevant stakeholders in six river catchments, to put in place a comprehensive plan to improve water quality. The stakeholders include farmers, Teagasc, private agricultural consultants, industry representatives, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), local authorities, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and community groups. The team of six Teagasc catchment co-ordinators, and their catchments, are Fiona Doolan in the Boyne catchment; Philip Murphy, Blackwater; Claire Mooney, Suir; Neilus Nunan, Slaney; Oisín Coakley, Lee and Bandon; and Ciaran Sheelan, Nore and Barrow. Noel Meehan, Head of the Teagasc Water Quality Knowledge Transfer Department, said: 'I look forward to working with the six catchment co-ordinators in what is a very important role under the Teagasc Better Farming for Water Campaign. "All stakeholders will be required to play their part in a collective effort of planning and actions. Key to realising improvements is the careful targeting of the right measure in the right place, alongside high levels of implementation at farm level". "We have a great opportunity to use the Better Farming for Water campaign to support farmers in the implementation of water protection measures and to have a period of sustained water quality improvement.' The Teagasc Better Farming for Water campaign focuses on eight actions for change. They are: Reducing the purchased nitrogen and phosphorus surplus per hectare. Ensuring soil fertility is optimal for lime, phosphorus and potassium. Ensuring application of fertiliser and organic manure at appropriate times and conditions. Having sufficient slurry and soiled water storage capacity. Managing and minimising nutrient loss from farmyards and roadways. Fencing off watercourses to prevent bovine access. Promoting targeted use of mitigation actions such as riparian margins, buffer strips and sediment traps to mitigate nutrient and sediment loss to water. Maintaining over-winter green cover, to reduce nutrient leaching from tillage soils. In Munster, there is added emphasis on water quality in the Blackwater catchment, following the launch of the River Blackwater Catchment Programme, led by Dairygold Co-Op. This three-year programme will see the dairy processor partner with Teagasc, LAWPRO, Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Irish Grain Growers, ABP, Dawn Meats, Kepak Group, Kerry Co-op, North Cork Creameries, Tirlán, and others, on a series of combined projects, actions and activities to engage farmers and processors and implement best farm practices to improve water quality. There is also a strong agriculture sector involvement in protecting and enhancing water quality across the River Slaney catchment. Launched about one year ago, the River Slaney Project includes Tirlán, Teagasc, LAWPRO, and accounting and advisory specialists, ifac, providing practical advice and support for water quality. More than 250 Tirlán suppliers have submitted over €1.5m in applications to the €60m Government and European Commission Farming for Water EIP fund for water enhancement. Local authorities across the Slaney catchment, along with Irish Water, and the Kepak, Dawn, and ABP food companies are supporting the project. Tirlán CEO Seán Molloy said: 'We are focused on ensuring that Tirlán and its farmers, alongside agri-food organisations across the country, deliver the best possible case for Ireland's retention of the Nitrates Derogation. 'The months ahead are a crucial period for Ireland to maintain momentum. Our ask is that all farm families continue their good work and engage with us and our partners, with our dedicated teams and ASSAP advisors. "Funding is readily available under the Farming for Water EIP for focused, results-driven actions to protect water, and our teams are available to support suppliers to avail of these.' Read More Slaney water project marks a year of progress
