State to spend €130k to halt decline of wader birds

The State is to spend over €130,000 this year to halt and reverse the decline of breeding wader birds in the Shannon Callows.

The Department of Arts and Heritage has confirmed €60,000 of the €134,000 spend has been earmarked for farmers. The remaining €74,908 is being spent on administration.

The Shannon Callows is regarded as one of the most remarkable wetland areas in Ireland. It stretches from south of Athlone, Co Westmeath, for 50km as far as Portumna in Co Galway.