Local councillor calls for river management plan for Kilkenny

A Kilkenny councillor is calling for a river management plan to be put in place for the River Nore and for works to be carried out to improve and enhance the amenity at the Lacken Walk and Canal Walk.
Cllr Eugene McGuinness said in recent years the River Nore has been ‘let go wild’ impeding access to the river.
“As a child I swam and went fishing along the Lacken but that is not possible anymore,” he said due to large areas of debris along the banks as he passes through areas known locally as The College, The Lawns and The Flats.
“I have raised this with the city engineer, Ian Gardner and I am seeking a full river management plan involving the county council, the board of works, forestry and all the other relevant bodies,” he said.
Cllr McGuinness said that the area had always been ‘ a famous salmon place’ and that previously there had been people fly fishing all along the banks of the Nore.
A carpenter and joiner by trade, Cllr McGuinness is passionate about restoring the river and its banks to its former glory and this summer he is planning on building a traditional fishing cot.
“I was making boats at the age of 16 and I am 62 now,” he said adding that he benefited greatly from a wealth of local knowledge and experience of cot building and fishing, from men like Kevin (Golly) Shortall from Maudlin Street in the city and Pearse Clooney and others that was passed down to him.
Cllr McGuinness also said that the amenity is full of kingfishers, dippers and water hens and that young people are losing out on a huge education on a natural habitat on their doorstep because it is not being properly maintained.
“It is our obligation to allow our children to be educated,” he said pointing out that there were dead trees in the weir and several areas of illegal dumping.
“We are choking the life out of the river and this is not benefiting anyone,” he said.
“It is a serious matter, this is a beautiful walk and it should be the jewel in Kilkenny’s crown,” he added.
Cllr McGuinness also said that the current boardwalk should be replace by ‘a much wider boardwalk made from recyclable materials. I want people to be able to walk and cycle down here in peace.
“It is an absolute fantastic amenity and people are not able to take full advantage of it.” he said.