A river runs through it, full of life

THERE hasn’t been as varied exploration of the River Lee since St Finbarr came down from Gougane Barra in the seventh century and founded the city of Cork.

The river wrapping around the southern capital is teeming with life.

Last week, to public welcome, three dolphins came up the Lee’s south channel. Sadly, one of them died in a river salmon fisherman’s draft net, but it highlighted the diversity of river life that any half-observant sentient being can spot if they watch the urban section of river going about its daily business, ebb and flow.