Save our rivers: Cork's River Lee is threatened by more than just waste water

Around 45% of all Ireland’s rivers are under threat from human activities; in the first in a series on five Irish rivers, Ellie O’Byrne explores the issues facing the River Lee catchment

The River Sullane is well stocked with trout, and also contains European perch minnow and a small number of pike. Picture: Dan Linehan

Behind a quiet housing estate in Macroom, County Cork, there’s a tree-lined walkway along the Sullane river.

Daniel “Dinger” Murphy and Denis “Dinny” Cronin of Macroom Trout Fly Anglers Association are standing on the bank, staring dejectedly at a pipe, out of which is gushing a torrent of cloudy, greenish water.