Green Limerick: New e-map to explore outdoor spaces in city and county

SOME WETLANDS in Limerick are being pinpointed for the public as visits to these “valuable” habitats are being encouraged.

Limerick City and County Council’s Biodiversity Office has launched the Limerick Wetland Wealth StoryMap, a new online resource profiling wetland sites the public can visit and enjoy in county Limerick.

The map includes descriptions of the different wetland habitats throughout the county, their locations and a list of educational resources.

It is an especially useful tool for people who wish to learn more about the importance of wetlands in our ecosystems, including communities, schools and landowners.

Wetlands are unique habitats. They support a large number of different plant and animal species.

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Ten examples of wetlands to visit highlighted on the new StoryMap resource include: Lough Gur, Adare River Walk, Galtee Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC) at the foot of the Galtee range and Paradise Loop Walk at Anglesboro in south eastern county Limerick.

Also on the map are Lough Ghé Way in Broadford and Griston Bog, Ballylanders and Slieve Felim Way on the Limerick-Tipperary border.

As well as this, Baggot Estate Wetland in the city features, as does The Loobagh Walk in Kilmallock, Ballyhoura Looped Walks and Curraghchase Forest Park.

Limerick City and County Council’s biodiversity officer, Sinead McDonnell, said: “The Limerick Wetland Wealth StoryMap is a wonderful resource to raise awareness of Limerick’s Wetlands and their value both as an important nature habitat and for the variety of ecosystem services they provide to humans for free.

“We rely on healthy wetland habitats to provide us with clean water, food, and flood protection.

“This new map now provides information and education on their importance at people’s fingertips – both those living in the county and those intended to come here and explore.”

The StoryMap follows a mapping and inventory project of all wetlands in the county, which was Wetland Surveys Ireland Ltd.

It was commissioned to undertake in 2024 by Limerick County Council. The project identified the location of 314 potential wetland in County Limerick, 84 of which occur within protected areas.

The launch of the resource comes as Limerick City and County Council recently celebrated World Wetlands Day on Sunday, February 2 with a public outing at Westfields Wetlands in Limerick city.

The day is intended to highlight the urgent need to protect wetlands as ecosystems, to ensure they continue supporting biodiversity.

The Limerick Wetland Wealth StoryMap was prepared by Wetland Surveys Ireland Ltd on behalf of Limerick Council.