Balsam removal continue with great success

Balsam removal continues throughout the Nore Valley basin and in particular in the Kilkenny city area with large numbers of volunteers taking part over the last number of weeks.

Extensive new areas which have not been previously cleared are now being declared balsam free for 2020. The main aim is to remove plants prior to flowering so that the seed is not available for 2021.

Riverbanks now clear of Balsam through our our city and environs

Congratulations to all the volunteers who are taking part. See also our Facebook page with details of the various events taking place.

KKB Facebook

River Nore top of class in IBAL 2019 report

Good news received in relation to the river Nore. Kilkenny is top of Class  with “Clean to European norms”. this is an excellent result for Kilkenny in the IBAL river review.

Citation:-

River Nore – Kilkenny: This was an excellent site in terms of overall presentation and litter. There was a virtual absence of litter throughout the area surveyed and this was particularly good considering the high numbers of people. Evidence of cleaning at time of survey. Kilkenny River Nore (Kilkenny) – Clean to European norms

KKB are very proud of the success of the work along the River undertaken this year.

This success reflects on  the   excellent work being  undertaken in conjunction with the Kilkenny Sub Aqua Club, Kilkenny aqua canoe club, Dragon boats, Kilkenny county council and other groups

Pat Durkin of Birdwatch and Pat Boyd biodiversity officer KKB lead Heritage week Water Heritage day nature walk on Canal walk

Pat Durkin of Birdwatch and Pat Boyd biodiversity officer KKB lead Heritage week Water heritage day nature walk on Canal walk

River Nore from Peace park

Nore Dragon Paddlers on river Nore

River Nore at Canal Square

Water Heritage Day

Celebrate Water heritage day  ( Sunday 25th August  9.30am)  meet at Canal Square!  All are welcome.  Bat Boyd chairman of KKB environmental sub committee and Pat Durkin of Birdwatch Ireland  Kilkenny  lead a  biodiversity walk along the river Nore. Experience the beautiful flora and fauna of the river Nore which flows to the centre of Kilkenny city. The results of the extensive removal of invasive weeds including Himalayan balsam will also be reviewed.

There is a lot of interest along the river bank  and will also review Alien Invasive Species, non natives, indigenous species and endangered species in the context of our riparian biodiversity. These  include the grey squirrel , mink, signal cray fish, mitten crab, and our most recent invasive water mold asphonomyces astaci ( white claw cray fish plague).

We will also talk about immediate threats from the mollusks kingdom Asian Clams and Zebra Mussels.

Plants to be reviewed include the  Impatiens glandulifera  not to be confused with our native Heracluem Sphondaelium ( cow parsley) and Heracleum mantegazzianum (giant hogweed).

We will also be looking at winter heliotrope and other invasive’s present from the Gonnera family. Non-natives but not invasive’s such as the sycamore , horse chestnut and rye grasses as well as native sedge’s.

It will be great fun hope to see you there Email us at mail@keepkilkennybeautiful.com  or ring  086-1075532 to be put on out text list  and to get further details of our environmental  actions and clean  ups.

Balsam removal campaign 2019

Congratulations to all who came out to  work on  the balsam removal campaign 2019, there will be further regular  evenings  during  May, June and July. The programme has been extremely successful with almost total removal of balsam throughout the city from Talbot’s inch to Ossory Bridge. The  areas previously cleared  will also be checked for any new growth and the 2019 campaign is to extend the area cleared to the south-east of Ossory bridge. Congratulations to all who have taken part so far this year. To take part, please contact us and also monitor our events page. Balsam is an invasive species and it’s removal encourages the growth of native species of plants along the riverbank.

 

River Nore Balsam removal commences 2019

A substantial start took place with the removal of a large area of balsam from the river Nore bank  to the south east of Ossory bridge. This project forms part of a multi year programme to reduce and eliminate  balsam from the upper stretches of the River Nore in the Kilkenny  City area. This initial balsam day was supported by  a large group of environmentalists  currently in Kilkenny under  the  Youth and Environment  Europe  (YEE)  network. Thank your for all of the hard work.

Careful removal of very small balsam plants in April

 

Kilkenny City “cleaner than European norms” 2019

Keep Kilkenny Beautiful are very pleased with the Irish Business against Litter (Ibal) overall 2018 result which gives Kilkenny city a position of 9th in the country and the  status of “Cleaner than European norms ”. Congratulations also to Fermoy for achieving the No.1 position for 2018.
Congratulations to all who have assisted in this excellent result. It  reflects the tremendous work being undertaken on an ongoing basis by many voluntary groups, organisations, businesses and Kilkenny County Council throughout our city over the last year.

Kilkenny railway station

 

An Taisce Report – IBAL Anti-Litter League, Round 2, 2018

Kilkenny: Overall 2018 result: 9th out of 40 towns / cities surveyed. Cleaner than European Norms.

Another excellent result for Kilkenny with 80% of sites getting the top litter grade. Market Cross Shopping Centre was a particularly well presented and clean site – large planter boxes certainly enhance the overall environment. Kilkenny Train Station (Exterior and Interior) was excellent – clearly it is a very well attended site; the streetscape along High Street was excellent and the grounds of Kilkenny Castle were pristine. The Recycle Bank at St. Canice’s presented well on first impression but further inspection revealed a definite litter presence.

L2627 Approach from Clara: Grade A. The overall presentation of this road was a very good one. Pathway was in good order and newly trimmed grass verges skirted the roundabout leading to the town.

Kilkenny Train Station – Exterior: Grade A. This was an impeccable site. The whole environment was very well maintained with footpath, ramp, signage, flowering pots, bins etc. in very good condition.

Kilkenny Train Station – Interior: Grade A. The interior of Kilkenny Train Station was a very fresh environment. Seating, bins, notices boards, plant boxes, hanging baskets and visitor information were in good order.

Series of empty / derelict buildings on Watergate: Grade B. (Numbers 11, 13 & 15). The presentation of this series of buildings was poor with painting peeling and overall impression a negative one. This will only deteriorate further if not addressed.

Recycle Bank by St. Canice’s: Grade B. On first impression the presentation of this recycle facility was a good one with bins and signage relating to the usage of same in good condition. It was, however, let down by a variety of litter items to the rear of the recycle units, between the bushes and bins.

Market Cross Shopping Centre: Grade A. This semi-covered shopping centre was very fresh with plenty of substantial planter boxes throughout. Seating, paving, lamps etc. all presented very well and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.

High Street: Grade A. The High Street in Kilkenny has an excellent streetscape. All aspects of the area surveyed were in very good condition. The road surface has attractive paving, creating a very fresh impression. The paving stones on the footpath looked very well. The street was further enhanced by wooden seating.

Grounds of Kilkenny Castle: Grade A. The grounds of Kilkenny Castle were in excellent order and there was a complete absence of litter throughout.

Loughboy Approach Road: Grade A. This road presented well with road surface, cycle path, signage and markings in good order. There was no obvious litter.

M9 / M10 Connecting Road to Carlow: Grade A. An excellent route. The edging of the roads was clear cut, road surfaces were in very good condition and there didn’t appear to be any visible litter.

Kilkenny castle from Lacken viewing point with river Nore under.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what a change when the rains arrive!

After a long dry Summer and Autumn there has now  been plenty of rain, softening up the earth  and  replenishing the ground water.   Our programme of  winter planting of trees and fruit bushes has commenced.

The Lacken walk is almost covered with the rising flood waters

The board walk keeps our feet out of the water and allows the wetlands to be flooded

Board walk at Ossory Bridge, new signage has been erected showing the attractive loop walking routes available

River Breagagh near the Black Abbey in flood

Whole trees are swept away on the river Nore

The Canal walk stream is full

Nore Dragon Paddlers Collecting Litter and international Awards!

Nore Dragon Paddlers overall European Environmental Award

On the 16th of October, the Nore Dragon Paddlers were awarded a “Hero’s in the Community Award” from Keep Kilkenny Beautiful for their  continuous environmental contribution on the river Nore along with the Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club, KACC.

This involved regular litter picks on the river whilst out on the water . As a result of this great achievement, the president of the Irish Dragon Boat Association, Julie Doyle, nominated the Nore Dragon Paddlers  for the Environmental Award at the European Dragon Boat Federation Forum (30th of November – 2nd of December )  in Seville, Spain. We are delighted to announce that not only did the Nore Dragon Paddlers make the final, but they  actually won the award!

The award ceremony was held on Saturday 1st November in Seville and was attended by representatives of the dragon boat community from 16 Nations including Ireland.

Paddlers launch on to the river Nore

Congratulations to the Paddlers for their international success and working with our community to  improve the environment in a sustainable way.

On the water!