Offaly is internationally famous as the home of the Croneen Trout

THE River Camcor flowing through Birr town is internationally famous as the home of the Croneen Trout.

This trout has been shown to be unique in a number of ways, from its similarities to sea trout in its coloration and behaviour, to its complex and convoluted migration from its feeding grounds to its spawning grounds in Kinnitty.

Indeed, recent genetic research by Professor Paulo Prodohl of Queens University Belfast and the Lough Derg Native Fish Biodiversity Project, supported by the Camcor and Little Brosna Anglers, shows that the Croneen trout are genetically unique and proves conclusively that they migrate for most of their lives to feed in Lough Derg.

Birr town, like many towns across Ireland, is served by an ageing underground drainage network originally designed for a much smaller population and lower volumes of runoff. In many areas, stormwater and foul sewage share the same pipes, increasing the risk of pollution during periods of heavy rainfall. Contaminants and urban run-off washed from roads by traffic further add to the pressure on the system — a challenge expected to intensify as climate change brings more frequent and severe flooding events.

LAWPRO, the Local Authority Waters Programme, carried out its quarterly staff training event in the County Arms Hotel in Birr on December 11^th and held a fact finding mission, to learn more about the Camcor River and to look at opportunities to use nature-based solutions to help reduce pollution risk from car traffic, stormwater accessing the combined sewer network and also deal with misconnections. Misconnections occur when toilets, washing machines, sinks and showers are plumbed into the wrong underground pipes, leading to stormwater contamination and river pollution.

Working off previous reports and designs supported by Birr Tidy Towns, Birr 2020 and LAWPRO and funding through the Community Water Development Fund, the participants examined the potential locations for nature-based solution type features, such as raingardens, swales, filter strips and bioretention basins, to help manage water volume and filter out pollutants and protect water quality.

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Basil Mannion, funding lead with LAWPRO, led the group across the town and identified the problem areas and outlined potential solutions previously mapped out in these reports, with a particular focus on High Street and Moorpark.

Paul Singleton of McCloys consulting, who provided the nature-based solutions training, expanded further on the measures proposed and praised LAWPRO for an innovative approach to training that would also see outcomes to potentially further action on these reports in Birr town.

Joan Martin, LAWPRO, also explained that there is a lack of storm water storage at Birr wastewater treatment plant and by managing stormwater better, this would help protect water quality from stormwater surges. While water quality remains good at Elm Grove Bridge, it quickly deteriorates to moderate status downstream through the town before joining the Little Brosna River. Combined sewer overflows are a significant pressure on the river.

Joe Dunican, Offaly Co Council Engineer with the Birr Municipal District was also present illustrating the commitment of Offaly County Council to review this area.

Inland Fisheries Ireland staff spoke on the importance of the Camcor River and in particular the Croneen Trout, to the area, and how numbers of these fish had declined dramatically in recent years. The natural history and the story of the Croneen Trout is well illustrated by the beautiful sign in Camcor Park, erected by the local Camcor and Little Brosna Angling Club and the late Brian McManus of the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board (now IFI).

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The spawning grounds of the Croneen trout lie in the pristine, high-status waters of the upper Camcor and Breaghmore Rivers, making the protection of water quality in these headwaters essential. A recent Inland Fisheries Ireland solar-powered pump project, developed in partnership with local farmers, has fenced off key spawning areas to prevent livestock access. This initiative has helped keep the riverbed free of silt, creating improved conditions for egg incubation and increasing the survival rate of newly hatched fish.

Dr Edward Cox highlighted the importance of allowing rivers flow naturally and where possible allow enough space for rivers to restore themselves following natural processes.

Dr Fran Igoe suggested that the development of a rainwater management plan for Birr Town would help better inform stormwater and road runoff management in the town, and guide where nature-based solutions could be placed and misconnections addressed. He said that LAWPRO looks forward to working with Offaly County Council, Uisce Éireann and the local community, building on the above work and recent work with the Offaly County Council Town Centre First and Regeneration teams.

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