More than 10,000 people flocked to the shores of Lough Derg, latter which borders on counties Tipperary, Clare, and Galway, between mid-July and September last to catch a glimpse of the first successful breeding pair of White Tailed Sea Eagles in Ireland in some 110 years.
The Viewing & Information Point is operated by the Mountshannon Eagle Group, in conjunction with the Golden Eagle Trust and Mountshannon Community Council. This new venue features telescopes, together with required information and displays about the White Tailed Sea Eagle, now regarded as Ireland’s largest and most spectacular of bird life.
This new facility generated more than half a million Euro for the local economy in 2014. A visitor survey conducted last year found that 43% of people said the attraction was the primary factor influencing their decision to visit the shores of Lough Derg.
The eagles, a seven-year-old male and six-year-old female, were originally collected as chicks on the island of Frøya off the west coast of Norway by the Golden Eagle Trust. The birds were later released in Killarney National Park before deciding to relocate; taking up residence in Lough Derg in 2011. The pair, named Saoirse and Caimin, both created history back in 2013 when they reared the first chicks to fly from a nest in Ireland in over 110 years. The pair successfully reared another chick in 2014 and the hope is that another successful hatching will take place this summer.
Visitor figures compare well to the Island of Mull in Scotland where White-tailed Sea Eagle watching has been popular for more than 10 years. It should be noted that a higher percentage of visitors came to Mountshannon (43%) specifically to see the Eagle pair than to the Island of Mull (23%), where eagle tourism brings in an estimated 5 million (sterling) annually.
The new Lough Derg (On the river Shannon) Nature Trail will be officially launched at a seminar being held at The Workhouse Centre in Portumna, County Galway, next Thursday, April 30th .
This event, which takes place from 10.30am to 1.15pm, will feature presentations by Dr. Alan Mee on the ‘White Tailed Sea Eagles on Lough Derg’, consultant ecologist and writer Dr. Janice Fuller on ‘Going Wild on the Lough Derg Nature Trail’, and Lorcán O’Toole of the ‘Golden Eagle Trust’, on the effectiveness of existing tourism policies for rural communities.
A detailed guide to accompany the Nature Trail will also be launched on the day. Cllr. Michael Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach, Tipperary County Council, Cllr. Mary Hoade, Cathaoirleach, Galway County Council & Cllr. John Crowe, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, will be in attendance.
This seminar is hosted by County Councils representing Tipperary, Clare and Galway, as well as the Heritage Council and Lakelands & Inland Waterways, Ireland.
Last Sunday saw the official launch of the “All Ireland Tractor Challenge” in the Anner Hotel Dublin Road here in Thurles.
Amongst the many special guests who turned out to lend their support were rugby star Denis Leamy, Tipperary Rose of Tralee finalist Alison Brolan, Pat Carey (Munster Tug-O-War), Tipp FM radio’s ‘Agreport’ presenter Jim Finn and Conor Breen (Agricultural & Plant Equipment, Cashel.)
Click HERE to view video, hereunder, in High Definition.
Last year some 1130 tractors gathered for a similar event at Thurles Racecourse, raising a colossal €40,000 for local charity and this year’s challenge, with your help, is all set to surpass all past targets. In particular, two very worthwhile charities will benifit from this event this year, namely ‘Suir Haven‘ and ‘C.A.M.E.O. Care‘.
‘Suir Haven’, as everyone knows, under the umbrella of North Tipperary Hospice is one of two cancer support centres which promotes and supports the development of hospice and palliative care in North Tipperary. The organisation supplies specialised equipment, psychological and social support for patients and their families, often regrettably towards the end stages of life.
‘C.A.M.E.O. Care’ deals with conditions which cause damage to brain function more commonly referred to as Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Much of the care given to people with dementia in the home is provided by the spouse or by adult children. Many of these family ‘Carers’ are often frail and elderly themselves and may not always enjoy good physical health. Older caregivers often become so involved in a caring role that their social connections become reduced to the point that they have very limited contact with the outside world. This service aims to support ‘Carers’ in this arduous and difficult role, by providing a strong prop through, in some cases, a much needed break for those involved as carers.
How Can You Help?
Firstly: Anyone who owns a tractor are being implored to please, please bring same along on Sunday May 3rd 2015 to ‘The Turnpike’ [ Map Ref], Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co Tipperary. Secondly: Regardless of whether you own a tractor or not please bring along yourself and all your family to what will be a truly family fun event, with lots of activities to simply observe or indeed in which to partake. Thirdly: Be part of this initiative yourself and join the many ‘Business Stalls,’ displaying your Goods and Services. For more information on this contact Frank at Tel: 086-8062770 or Donie at Tel: 087-4146897 or indeed Michael at Tel: 087-2712967 before April 19th next.
A massive amount of work is currently being undertaken behind the scenes for this event; under the leadership of Michael Fahey (Chairman), T.J. Donnelly (Vice Chairman), Chris Verling (Secretary), Frank Nolan (Treasurer) and their truly passionate and dedicated workforce.
Expect more intimate details on this super upcoming event here on Thurles.Info over the coming days and weeks, so do Bookmark us and stay tuned.
Thousands of Irish people and overseas visitors are expected to retrace their heritage on National Pilgrim Paths Day April 4th, 2015.
Kilcommon Mass Rock, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Ireland’s National Pilgrim Paths Day, on April 4th next, is aimed at raising awareness of our country’s wide network of pilgrim routes, while also providing a more general appreciation of our medieval Christian heritage.
To this end on Saturday, April 4th, 2015, large numbers of Irish people and overseas visitors are expected to retrace their ancestral heritage this coming Easter Weekend, as they take to this countries ancient pilgrim paths, to celebrate Ireland’s second ‘National Pilgrim Paths Day’.
This new Easter Festival will see a nationwide series of non-denominational, pilgrim walks taking place on Ireland’s medieval penitential trails. Last year, there were over 1,800 participants for Ireland’s inaugural Pilgrim Paths Day and this year it is expected that the numbers will be even higher.
On Pilgrim Paths Day, events will take place on each of Ireland’s 12 Medieval Pilgrim Paths including 3 pilgrim paths in County Tipperary. They are Kilcommon Pilgrim Loop, (Information, 062 78103), St Declan’s Way(Information, 086 354 1700) and Holycross Pilgrim Path(Information, 087 7962177).
Heritage guides from these communities will lead each event while outlining the story of the route and explaining how medieval penitents coped with their arduous journeys.
There will also be a reflection and thanksgiving at the end of each walk.
For full details of all pilgrim walks nationwide take the time to visit; www. pilgrimpath.ie
A delegation of County Councillors, representing Tipperary, Clare and Mayo, met with Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Pascal Donohue, T.D., in Dublin today to express their concerns about the proposed sale of Aer Lingus to IAG.
The meeting was organised by Cllr. John Crowe (FG) (Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council) who was joined in Leinster House by Cllr Michael Fitzgerald (FG) (Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council) and Cllr Damien Ryan (FF) (Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council).
While unable to attend this afternoon’s meeting, the Mayors of Limerick, Galway and Kerry have also backed the message delivered to the Minister, latter which outlined that Elected Members in the West rejected any commitment from IAG that does not “explicitly guarantee” Aer Lingus’ long term commitment to services between Shannon Airport and London Heathrow, as well as transatlantic services.
“At today’s meeting we stressed the necessity of securing a 15-year guarantee from IAG in respect of Shannon’s Heathrow slots and service levels as the 5-year guarantee proposed by IAG’s CEO Willie Walsh does not give sufficient confidence to companies seeking to invest in the region and does not assure the connectivity that is required for the West of Ireland. Furthermore, we asked the Minister to also relay to Cabinet that guarantees should be secured in respect of Aer Lingus’ transatlantic services,” said Cllr. Crowe.
“Shannon Airport is thriving again thanks to the efforts of the new management and board in place at Shannon. The retention of existing and development of new Aer Lingus services is central to future growth at Shannon as well as maintaining existing activity and investment in industry and tourism,” he added.
“Minister Donohoe took our concerns on board and pledged to bring them to Cabinet as it discusses its options going forward in respect of the IAG’s bid,” concluded Cllr. Crowe.
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The popular ‘White Tailed Sea Eagle Viewing & Information Point’ situated at Mountshannon Pier in Co. Clare has now reopened to the public, following a hugely successful pilot opening period last summer.
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