Limerick environmentalist's 'call to action' over the protection of fish

CELEBRATED local environmentalist Patsy Peril has chronicled his lifelong fight to save the Atlantic wild salmon.

Patsy, who hails from Coonagh, has teamed up with writer Deirdre Nuttall on the book, entitled Swimming Upstream.

It was launched at O’Mahony’s Bookshop in Limerick’s O’Connell Street by Green councillor Sean Hartigan, who was deputising for Mayor John Moran.

Patsy has been involved in inland fisheries all his life, and is also an experienced light aircraft pilot.

He has been deeply concerned with environmental matters since childhood, in particular concerning the health and future of Irish rivers. And Swimming Upstream, which is available in bookshops now, charts his activism over the years.

Above: Cllr Hartigan, Mr Peril and fellow river enthusiast Paddy Guerin

Cllr Hartigan said: “I see this book as a call to action for those concerned about the river and its fish. I would encourage anyone with an interest in the Shannon, be they fishermen, canoeists, rowers, swimmers, birdwatchers or nature lovers to buy this book, read it, share it with friends and take on board the message that the river is on its knees and we need to fight for its restoration.”

He believes the book has been released at an opportune time, with the ESB marking a series of centenaries in the coming years.

Cllr Hartigan feels these events can be leveraged to get improvements to the environment that the “iconic” Atlantic salmon exist in, onto the agenda.