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Displaying items by tag: Weir

#GALWAY BAY NEWS - Archaeologists in Galway Bay have unearthed an extensive tidal weir complex at Barna and a late medieval quay on Mutton Island, The Irish Times reports.

The weir, which is estimated to date from the early Christian period, consists of a granite barrier with channels cut through it, designed to control the flow of water in the adjacent lagoon.

Connemara archaeologist Michael Gibbons suggests that the weir implies a considerable fish stock migrating through the area into the Barna river.

The remains of a large Iron Age fort which overlooks the site may also have given its name to the townland of Knocknacarra, which is now a populous suburb of Galway.

Meanwhile, further east at Mutton Island a medieval quay which predates the current lighthouse quay has been found.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Galway Harbour
#ANGLING - A plaque paying tribute to the late secretary of the Dublin Salmon Anglers' Association has been inveiled at Carton Estate in Co Kildare.
Patrick 'Pat' O'Molloy, who died in November last year, was commemmorated for his pioneering work over the last 35 years in the rehabilitation and restoration of wild salmon stock in the River Liffey, The Irish Times reports.
This involved introducing micro-tagged smolts into the Rye, a tributary of the Liffey upriver of the Carton Estate weir which was impassable from further downstream.
Sadly O'Molloy died before the return of salmon to the Liffey in a year that also saw their return to the Tolka afer more than a century.
Former fisheries CEO Alan McGurdy said at the ceremony: "As you all know, Pat was an angler, a board member, environmentalist, fish farmer and most of all, a friend.
"Today is some recognition to the great man for the tremendous work he did to look after our fish."

#ANGLING - A plaque paying tribute to the late secretary of the Dublin Salmon Anglers' Association has been inveiled at Carton Estate in Co Kildare.

Patrick 'Pat' O'Molloy, who died in November last year, was commemmorated for his pioneering work over the last 35 years in the rehabilitation and restoration of wild salmon stock in the River Liffey, The Irish Times reports.

This involved introducing micro-tagged smolts into the Rye, a tributary of the Liffey upriver of the Carton Estate weir which was impassable from further downstream.

Sadly O'Molloy died before the return of salmon to the Liffey in a year that also saw their return to the Tolka afer more than a century.

Former fisheries CEO Alan McGurdy said at the ceremony: "As you all know, Pat was an angler, a board member, environmentalist, fish farmer and most of all, a friend. 

"Today is some recognition to the great man for the tremendous work he did to look after our fish."

Published in Angling
Waterways Ireland, as part of a planned inland waterways programme of improvement works, has installed a floating Weir Boom across the weir at Clarendon Lock, Knockvicar on the Shannon Navigation.

Installing the 20m boom was initiated with assembly of the boom off-site in Rooskey. In early December, the drilling for the piles was facilitated by floating a piling rig to the site on pontoons. Piles are required to hold the Weir Boom in place. The boom was then floated to the site and secured in place. The works cost approximately €55,000.

Installation of the boom improves the amenity at Knockvicar in addition to lock gate replacement and upgraded lockhouse facilities which have been completed by Waterways Ireland in recent years.

The Weir Boom is a preventative measure installed by Waterways Ireland to protect boaters and their craft from being drawn over the weir. Space has been left to allow for the passage of canoeists. There will be no environmental impacts on fish or other wildlife from the installation or operation of the Weir Boom.

Published in Inland Waterways

ESB’s 2040 strategy Driven to Make a Difference: Net Zero by 2040 sets out a clear roadmap for ESB to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. 

ESB will develop and connect renewable energy to decarbonise the electricity system by 2040. ESB will invest in the development of new renewable generation, including onshore and offshore wind and solar, and will significantly increase the amount of renewable generation connected to our electricity networks.

ESB will:

  • Deliver more than a fivefold increase in our renewable generation portfolio to 5,000MW.
  • Reduce carbon intensity of generation fleet from 414 to 140gCO2/kWh by 2030.
  • Decarbonise 63% of our generation output by 2030 and 100% by 2040 (up from c20% now).

Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.