€20m project unveiled to reverse decline of some of Ireland's pristine rivers

Four of the waterways included in the project, which focuses on rivers rich in biodiversity, are in Munster 

The Shournagh River, one of Ireland's six pristine "high-status" waterways included in the Waters of LIFE project. File Picture: Larry Cummins

A €20m scheme will seek to reverse the decline of some of Ireland’s most cherished “high-status” rivers.

The Waters of LIFE project aims to protect six of Ireland’s pristine river catchments, four of which are in Munster.

High-status rivers are those considered to be in pristine condition and rich in biodiversity.

Ireland is one of a handful of EU members that still has a number of these high-status water bodies. However, that number has declined from 31.5% (1987-1990) to 19.9% (2017-2020), representing an almost 37% decline in number, according to EPA data.

Included in the scheme are the Shournagh, Cork; the Awbeg, Cork; the rivers in the catchment of Lough Graney, Clare; and the Sheen, Kerry, which will be used as a “control river” for the strategic project.

The Island River in the Galway/Roscommon area and the Avonmore, in Wicklow are also included.

The new waterways project was launched by junior minister Malcolm Noonan. File picture: Mary Browne

Minister of State for heritage and electoral reform Malcolm Noonan launched the project.

The strategic project involves 16 partners including government departments, State agencies, local authorities, and local development companies.

The total budget under this Life integrated project is €20,369,805, of which €9.5m has been committed by the EU.

The Life programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. Since its creation in 1992, it has co-financed some 5,000 projects across the EU, with a total contribution of approximately €6.5bn for the protection of the environment and climate action.

Speaking at the project launch, Mr Noonan said the ongoing loss of high-status waters is among the most concerning, protracted, and persistent water quality trends in Ireland.

“The six high-status rivers selected for this scheme — and the communities, industries, and local economy surrounding them — will benefit greatly from the implementation of locally tailored solutions to be delivered through this scheme.”