Green Limerick: New group hopes to protect our natural heritage

A NEWLY-FORMED environmental and heritage group is putting pride of place first as they continue to find novel ways to keep Askeaton's water quality safe and clean.

The Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage group got together last February in a bid to tackle urban wastewater overflow that was negatively affecting those living in the community.

Group Chairperson Mike O' Connor highlighted that the River Deel swim has been cancelled for the last three years running as a result of poor water quality.

"Sewage is mixing with the stormwater overflow into the river. We wanted to do something about it," Mike explained, adding that the group formed from the community council.

The first port of call for the group of 25, Mike outlined, was to develop a rainwater garden, technically referred to as a "sustainable urban drainage solution."

This involved planter boxes with flowers in them, connecting to a downpipe coming from a roof. "Instead of that water going into the sewage system or flowing down the road and picking up dirt, it goes into the box," he explained.

The water runs through the box, providing nutrients to the topsoil, sand, stone and wetland plants that can tolerate waterlogging. The project takes 500 litres of water each month out of the system, and in turn, takes some pressure off the stormwater overflow.

Workshops were hosted by the group for Heritage week, where members informed the public about the RIver Deel and the Shannon Estuary.

Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage won the overall best event for Heritage week in Limerick prize this year.

The next venture was a small informative six page booklet and video. The book was premiered for the first time at a launch on Saturday, January 7, at the Carnegie Hall, in Ballysteen.

"The idea is that anyone can pick it up and read it. It talks about the importance of the River Deel to Askeaton, particularly the town's historic development as a fishing town," Mike said.

It delves into deeper detail around the Desmond Castle, informing that it is still being used by wildlife as a habitat, with the perigrene falcon, swifts, swallows and bat species, all calling it their home.

The book also talks about both agricultural pressure and urban wastewater run-off in the River Deel. Each concept is explained in a simple format through several paragraphs.

The book is available in stores in Askeaton for free and the video is available on YouTube, titled 'Askeaton on the Deel.'

Mike indicated that this isn't the last locally-led project, adding that the group is only getting started when it comes to environmental challenges facing the community.

"We are working on an action plan. We are looking at doing a project with schools in Askeaton and Ballysteen with the hope of making a book out of it.

"We are also planning on making rainwater harvesters as well as doing a Himalayan Balsam invasive species bash," Mike told the Limerick Leader.

Follow Askeaton Ballysteen Natural Heritage group on Facebook for more information.

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