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.

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

River Nore clean up

Wednesday 8th August 7pm at Canal Walk slip will see Kilkenny Sub Aqua Club (KSAC); Keep Kilkenny Beautiful (KKB) & Kilkenny County Council (KCC) coming together to sweep the city section of the River Nore to clear it of as much waste items as possible. Volunteers from the three organisations are working together to make the best impact as possible. This partnership has worked well over many years and efforts will go toward KKB’s Kilkenny’s submission to the National Tidy Towns Competition 2018.

The current water levels are historically low and this may assist with material that is lodged in areas hard to reach in “normal” years flow, said Lorcan Scott PRO with KSAC. The River Nore is a Special Area of Conservation and the clean-up should enhance conditions for fish and mammals species moving along the river.

Kilkenny city is blessed to have such a recreational and visual asset and as with all urban waterways the Nore can receive waste from a range of sources from excitable party goers to the inconsiderate members of the public.

River Nore

This exercise will also have the added benefit of removing any potential hazard to divers required in any Search and Recovery activity in the Nore city section.

KSAC and KKB wish to thank Kilkenny County Council for their offer to take any resultant waste for appropriate disposal.