Works Update 29th Oct 2019

The current phase of works on the Shannon Town Community Wetlands is now complete. During this phase the pond network was completed, footpaths widened and re-surfaced and spurs into the wetland have been created. This is a community project that relies on grant funding so work is carried out on a phased basis as the funds become available. Future phases include, planting, site signage, seating, an outdoor nature classroom, green waste re-cycling infrastructure and exercise equipment. It is anticipated that the work will be completed in 2020.

Works Update 30th Sept 2017

Had a lovely walk on the new path on Saturday and the new ponds are coming along nicely with lots of rushes growing in them.

John O’Brien Yes, the work accomplished recently under the guidance of Ruairí is really great, and Shannon Community Wetland is certainly taking shape. This Saturday at 10am, volunteers complete with shovels, digging forks, spades and of course wellies are assembling to take out the willow saplings. There are hundreds of these little willows and now is the time to keep them in check, so the more volunteers that can give a few hours the better! Everyone welcome !

Kitty O’Brien Brilliant work well done to all ???

Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre Aug 2019

This took place Friday 6th September 4:00 – 8:30pm. Here’s the invitation from the leisure centre:

We would also like to take this opportunity to promote the clubs and societies of the town of Shannon and its surrounds by hosting a Clubs and Societies Meet and Greet Day in our basketball hall. ?

Any recreation or leisure clubs and societies looking to promote their club and recruit new members or volunteers can set up a stand in the hall.

Shannon has a huge number of fantastic clubs and societies doing amazing work for the people of our community and it would be a perfect opportunity for people to see what’s on offer for their friends and family, especially as the winter months are fast approaching.

National Heritage Week 2019

Saturday August 17th 2019

The Shannon Wetland Restoration Project walk and talk in Shannon
to mark
National Heritage Week 2019

The Shannon Town Community Wetlands Project marks this year’s Heritage week with an interesting walk and talk in the wetlands site. This project is a community initiative run for and by the local community and is supported by the Community Water Development Fund administered by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWP), Flags West fund administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Clare County Council. We will hear about how this unique Urban Wetland project is developing and about the vision for the next and further stages of development.

Ruairí Ó Conchúir (LAWP) will outline the importance of wetland ecosystems and how they are uniquely predisposed to allay the effects of climate change. This year local expert beekeeper Monica O’Brien will join us to tell us how we can all become more proactive in encouraging and supporting pollinators so that they can survive and continue their valuable work in our natural ecosystems. Such support is becoming more critical as, due to changes in land use, half of our wild bee species has undergone huge declines since the 1980s. Monica will have a demonstration bee hive set up complete with honey bees and she will talk on honey bees, beekeeping and the role of bees as pollinators. “Beekeeping adds a totally different dimension to the garden, the bees keep me intrigued and I’m always wanting to learn more about their amazing abilities. I am open to all that there is to know about these wonderful creatures” said Monica. As it is honey harvest time around now she will have some honey from her own beehives at Drumline on display. Monica runs the Mount Arley Garden Facebook Page.
Meet at the carpark between Gaelscoil Donncha Rua and Tír na nÓg playground at 2.00p.m. The event is free of charge and all are welcome. Visit the Shannon Wetlands Facebook page.

Wonderful presentation by Ruarí at the wetlands today. My camera failed so only a few photos taken by my sister. Perhaps others could post theirs?

Below are some lovely photos from John O’Brien of the Heritage Event yesterday. Thanks John.

Here’s some more photos of the Heritage talk on Saturday – this tine from Thomas Chambers. Thanks Thomas!

Posted Notices 30th May 2019

I’ll be posting these notices around the wetland site today to direct people at this FB page 🙂 (And maintaining them when they get vandalised! 🙂 )

Also while it is handy to have a FB page to focus comments. Probably posting to the main Shannon FB sites will have the most effect when this Wetlands site has a major announcement 🙂

After a request from Tidy Towns to not have this sort of thing around the place I have removed them. They were always only going to be for a week or so. But I agree with their sentiments. Hopefully our noticeboard can be revamped and a few more added when the work starts.

Committee Meeting 27th May 2019

Hi Folks,

Here’s a bit more news from the meeting:

1) The plans for the first stage are currently being finalised and will be shared publicly shortly.

2) The project’s groundwork will start within months

3) A website will be launched in the next few weeks (to control our story better and for non-Facebook users). For example, see: http://westfieldswetlands.com/)

4) Notices informing passers by of the current Facebook link will be posted in the next few days.(we only have 100 “likes” to date our goal is to get 1000)

I’ll shared more details as soon as they are available:

“‘At a recent meeting of the Shannon Wetland Restoration Project the committee discussed plans for the next phase of work which will commence on the wetland in the coming weeks. The pond network which was begun in 2018 will be completed and the existing footpath network will be upgraded and extended to allow ease of access around the site’.

World Earth Week talk given to Intel, Shannon

Thank-you Intel for inviting me to talk about the wetlands project today and show our slideshow as part of your World Earth Week for employees.

Clean up 6th April 2019

Attached are some photos from the Clean Up at the wetlands this morning. There were about six of us out at one point and we collected a lot of rubbish but the trolleys will have to be a council job to clean up.

And a special mention to Cllrs. Gerry Flynn and Mike Mckee for the help they gave us

Community Information Evening Friday 22nd March 2019

The Shannon Wetlands Restoration Project is holding a community information evening for locals in Shannon Library on Friday 22nd March from 6.15pm to 7.45 pm.

Below is some actual and some imagined images of the Shannon Wetlands. Created by John O’Brien (obrienphotos2706@gmail.com)

Inspired by the Shannon Green Infrastructure Plan a group of dedicated community volunteers drawn from Dúchas na Sionna, Shannon Tidy Towns, Shannon Men’s Shed, Club na Sionna and others got together to explore the idea of restoring a wetland amenity in the area known as The Shannon Wetlands located to the rear of Gaelscoil Donncha Rua and the Shannon Leisure Centre. This led to the setting up of the Shannon Wetlands Restoration Project in October 2016. Since that time the committee has been active securing funding, undertaking site survey work and generally preparing the site for the next stage of development. Working in close collaboration with Ruairí Ó Conchúir (Local Authority Waters Programme) and Clare County Council the Project Committee has established a Technical Advisory Committee to guide the project. From the outset of the project it has been important to consult with the community as to how the people of Shannon wished this unique urban wetland site to develop. Public engagement events have occurred during Heritage Week 2017 and 2018 and this year on World Wetlands Day, 2nd February 2019.

The Shannon Wetlands Project is pleased to announce that a public meeting will take place in the in Shannon Library on Friday 22nd March from 6.15pm to 7.45 p.m. The public meeting will give locals a chance to get involved with the ongoing visioning process for the Shannon wetlands site and to meet committee members and the staff from agencies supporting the project. The event will include an overview of work completed on site to date (2017 to 2019). It is also an opportunity to learn more about the proposed vision for the site – namely to create an attractive amenity that promotes biodiversity, and enhances the heritage, community, recreational and tourism value of the site while making the site user friendly and accessible. The meeting will unpack this and the work of the Project Committee to bring this to fruition. All are welcome so please come join us as this is your opportunity to have further input into how you wish the Shannon Wetlands site to develop. Perhaps you have ideas in addition to those outlined above or have skills or knowledge that you can contribute to help make this a truly sustainable community wetlands project that is an inspiration to others. If so, please join us in Shannon Library on Friday 22nd March to hear what has been achieved so far and to discuss the plans.

For more information please contact: Olive Carey of the Shannon Wetlands Restoration Project (085 710 7581 / olivecarey77@gmail.com) or local Community Water Officer, Ruairí Ó Conchúir (085 808 3715 / roconchuir@lawaters.ie)