Islands of Ireland: Gowlaun's fight against invasive species

Fishing rights on the Nore have been the catalyst for several court disputes

Gowlaun Island, centre, on the River Nore, Inistioge, Co Kilkenny. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

Kilkenny is not possessed of many islands but those it has are very pleasant. 

The River Nore rises in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co Tipperary and flows south to enter the sea at Waterford having picked up the River Barrow near the harbour. It is tidal as far as the verdant village of Inistioge in Co Kilkenny which lies nestled in a breathtaking valley. A string of islands has been formed there as the less-dense river water from the uplands deposits its load on the saline water.