Delighted to read that, at last, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have gotten up from their office seats, to secure convictions against persons responsible for the destruction of hedgerows and woodland, during this same bird-nesting season.
Separate cases have been heard recently in Ballina District Court and in Nenagh District Court, both taken under section 40 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act of 2000, with the NPWS stating that a number of similar cases are also before the courts.
At a recent sitting of Ballina District Court, a Mayo farmer has been fined €4,000, and received a 20% penalty to his farm payments, for the destruction of vegetation over an area of around 1.9 acres, during the bird-nesting season. At Nenagh District Court, Co. Tipperary, yet another Galway farmer was also convicted and fined €3,000 for destroying 755 metres of hedgerows, and 0.7 acres of scrub woodland, at a farm here in Co. Tipperary.
NPWS has stated that it has noted an increase in the number of such reports of the complete removal of hedgerows and vegetation on lands not cultivated, during the statutory bird-nesting season. NPWS now state it is fully committed to investigating such areas, where this destruction is reported.
In Nenagh District Court, the remarks made by Judge Ms Elizabeth McGrath, should be heralded throughout this island. She stated that “section 40 is not a bureaucratic law, and exists to protect birds and their habitat.”
Back in the late 18th-century spinning wheels were supplied, by the then Irish Linen Board, to Tipperary individuals, in an ambitious scheme undertaken to encourage the growing/farming of Flax.
Nationally, some 60,000 linen workers, became involved, which in turn assisted the development of a vibrant Irish linen industry. Irish Damask linen, developed in the 18th century, would go on to grace the dining tables of Royalty and the lesser landed gentry across the world, thus providing employment at a local level here in Co. Tipperary and nationally for centuries.
Since ancient times, Flax, also known as Linseed, from which linen is manufactured, had been growing in Ireland. Proof of flax curing has been uncovered in Irish bogs, dating back over two thousand years.
Early Irish Brehon Laws dictated that every farmer had to learn and practice the cultivation of Flax. In Tudor times, between 1485 and 1603, the production of linen was so great in Ireland that a law had to be passed banning the practise of ‘leaching’ and ‘water retting’ in rivers, to protect against the poisoning of fish stocks.
[Leaching and Retting: A process employed to facilitate the controlled rotting of cellular tissues, on Flax, thus separating the fibre from the stem of the plant.]
Labourers offloaded their flax plants into ponds, rivers, or retting dams and let it ‘ret’ for up to two weeks. Those farming then set up what were called flax ‘chapels’, rather like ‘stooked’ grain sheaves; latter supporting each other to be dried by the prevailing wind.
Back in 1796, the Board of Trustees of the Linen and Hempen Manufactures of Ireland (1711-1823) wished to encourage more farmers to grow flax and hemp seed to meet a ready demand. Spinning wheels, and looms, were awarded in proportion to the acreage sown. This incentive, encouraged small farmers to allocate part of their land to flax and hemp crops. County inspectors were appointed to receive claims from the growers and county lists were published as official documents of the Board.
A quarter-acre of flax grown would have qualified for one spinning wheel and for those who grew over five acres, a loom to the value of fifty shillings was granted.
Named Flax Growers of County Tipperary, 1796
NAME
Town/Village
County
Archer William,
Drom,
Co. Tipperary.
Brien Patrick,
Templebredon,
Co. Tipperary.
Brook William,
Caher,
Co. Tipperary.
Burke Patrick,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
BurneDarby,
Emly,
Co. Tipperary.
Conners James,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
Doherty William,
Doon,
Co. Tipperary.
Henecy John,
Cloneen,
Co. Tipperary.
Hurley Timothy,
Drom,
Co. Tipperary.
Keesse David,
Emly,
Co. Tipperary.
Kinkade Richard,
Emly,
Co. Tipperary.
Long Robert,
Knockgraffon,
Co. Tipperary.
M’Donnel Arthur,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
M’Donnell Charles,
Drom,
Co. Tipperary.
Marnane John,
Lattin,
Co. Tipperary.
Marnane Thomas,
Solloghodbeg,
Co. Tipperary.
Meagher Daniel,
Templebredon,
Co. Tipperary.
Murphy Cornelius,
Emly,
Co. Tipperary.
Parker Roger,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
Parker William,
Kilmurry,
Co. Tipperary.
Parkinson William,
Drom,
Co. Tipperary.
Ryan James,
Capagh,
Co. Tipperary.
Ryan Samuel,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
Saunders Adam,
Doon,
Co. Tipperary.
Stokes Mary,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
White James,
Knockgraffon,
Co. Tipperary.
Small cottage industries thrived across Ireland until large factory-type production began in the 1830s, providing water-powered scutching (beating), washing and beetling mills (beetling the pounding of linen or cotton fabric to give a flat, lustrous sheen was achieved). Irish industrialised linen production occupied both men, women and children, latter who worked to steep, scutch, spin, weave and bleach, latter stage using lime.
In the Census of Ireland in 1911 there where 456 people nationally whose occupations are recorded as ‘Flax Scutchers’.
Are there any persons occupied as ‘Scutchers‘ in Co. Tipperary today?
“Experience the ultimate village market in Holycross tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, August 21st, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Indulge in a coffee, hot food or an ice cream as you check out all the market has to offer.
Browse the lovely art and crafts stalls and savour local fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, meats and artisan bakes.
Enjoy the live music while the children have their faces painted and hair braided.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in the beautiful surrounds of the historic village of Holycross , with its ample parking behind the abbey with stewards on hand to help in anyway necessary.”
Spread the word, bring a friend. We are looking forward to seeing you all there.
A reminder that the bi-weekly Holycross Village Market is taking place tomorrow, Saturday August 7th, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.
Ann Lanigan Reports:
“Tomorrow is the first of our block of Autumn markets and we look forward to welcoming new vendors including Cathal, an entrepreneurial local student who is bringing a sporting angle with hurleys, sliotars, jerseys, shorts and much more, a must for all GAA enthusiasts.
We have many familiar faces returning with their popular products, including arts and crafts, artisan bakes, hot foods, coffees, healthy breads, free range meats, fruit and vegetables.
There will be live music and poetry to enjoy as you avail of the beautiful surroundings of the historic village of Holycross.
Following on from the outstanding success of ‘The Eco Laundry Egg’ promotion as part of the market Environmental policy, we’re delighted to raise awareness with this market’s Eco promotion “all about the kitchen sink”. These products are not only environmentally friendly, but are also financially sound solutions.
We have stewards on hand to help in any way necessary and there is ample parking behind the Abbey Church. Check out our social media market updates on Facebook and Instagram or contact us on thevillagemarketholycross@gmail.com“
Ammonia emissions have been non-compliant for 7 out of the last 9 years, driven by the growth of the agriculture sector.
Ireland can achieve compliance with the 2030 ceiling for ammonia through full implementation of planned ammonia reduction measures.
Ireland is compliant for 2019 with the emissions ceilings under the NEC Directive for nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds and sulphur dioxide.
Full implementation of planned policies and measures, including those in the Climate Action Plan that target greenhouse gas emissions, will reduce emissions of air pollutants. Further action may also be required for some pollutants to meet tougher 2030 EU emission limits.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published a compliance assessment for emissions of five key air pollutants which impact air quality, health and the environment. The pollutants, which are subject to current and future emissions ceilings under the EU National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive, are : –
ammonia,
non-methane volatile organic compounds,
sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides and
fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Emissions of other air pollutants and heavy metals not subject to NEC Directive ceilings are also reported on.
This latest report shows that, despite decreasing in 2019, ammonia emissions are still non-compliant with the EU ceiling and have now been non-compliant for 7 out of the last 9 years. Agriculture dominates emissions of ammonia (99%), which arise from animal manures and nitrogen fertiliser. However, there are some encouraging signs of abatement measures being adopted at farm level, with approximately 16% of cattle slurries applied using low emission spreading techniques, avoiding over 3,000 tonnes of ammonia emissions. There was also a four-fold increase, albeit from a low base, in the use of inhibited urea fertiliser products in 2019.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides – primarily from transport and diesel fuelled vehicles in particular – decreased by 9.2% in 2019 as vehicle NOx abatement technologies continue to improve. Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds also decreased slightly (1.1%) in 2019. These mostly arise from spirit production in the food and beverage industry, animal manures and fertilisers.
There was a 13.1% decrease in emissions of fine particulate matter due to lower heating requirements in 2019, while emissions of sulphur dioxide continued on a downward trend. Ireland is compliant for 2019 with the emissions ceilings under the NEC Directive for nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds and sulphur dioxide, whilst a ceiling for fine particulate matter doesn’t come into force until 2020.
MsSharon Finegan, (Director of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Sustainability) stated:
“Emissions of all air pollutants need to reduce further to protect air quality and health and achieve compliance with EU emissions limits. The National Clean Air Strategy, which is currently being finalised, needs to set out the proposed measures to reduce emissions. It is encouraging to see ammonia emissions beginning to be addressed at farm level. The assessment shows that Ireland can comply with the 2030 ammonia ceiling but this requires full implementation of measures in the Department of Agriculture’s AgClimatise strategy, and the National Air Pollution Control Programme. ”
Emissions of Sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, ammonia and nitrogen oxides are projected to be compliant with more challenging EU emission ceilings that will apply for 2030, provided planned measures are fully implemented.
Mr Stephen Treacy(EPA Senior Manager) stated:
“Ireland has seen big reductions in the emissions of many air pollutants over the last thirty years, including a 94 per cent fall in Sulphur dioxide emissions and an over 60 per cent drop in fine particulate matter emissions. Further emissions reductions are possible with the right measures in place. These measures are far reaching and require big changes in the Agriculture, Transport and Energy sectors including switching to cleaner fuels, technology improvements in slurry application and a significant uptake of electric vehicles. Further measures are required to reduce Non- Methane Volatile Organic Compounds emissions to meet the 2030 ceiling for this pollutant.”
These figures take account of the immediate short-term impact of COVID-19 in 2020 and in the first half of 2021.
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