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A NEW Lickey Valley walks brochure was launched last week at the Marine
Bar, Pulla, with special guest RTÉ radio presenter and Chairperson of An
Taisce, Ms. Eanna Ní Lamhna (Mooney goes Wild) officially launching the
brochure, as well as completing one of the walks in the Valley.
The Lickey Walks - Slí na Lice maps out seven separate short walks
along the Lickey Valley river, totalling 50 km. Each part of the walk has its own unique wildlife, nature and history
story to tell and offers the walker a rich and varied exposure to local
ecology and heritage.
An example would be the communal cooking area know as a fulacht fia
which dates back thousands of years. The fulacht fia is just east of St.
Declan's Way on the south side of the river (Walk 2). There is also the ruins of
the old Mill at Drumgullane, one of the largest mills in Ireland and a hive
of activity in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The area is of such importance that the river has been designated a
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) by the government and in accordance with EU
Directive 92/43/EC makes up part of the Natura 2000 network.
Frank Lynch and Declan French, both from Old Parish, who participated
in the launch walk with Ms. Ní Lamhna said the area is sparsley populated and
makes an excellent quiet and peaceful walk.
"It is a lovely and scenic walk and there are many historical features
along
the way. There are also some wildlife along the Lickey Valley walks not
normally seen in built up areas, like kestrels, otters, red squirrels,
etc.," said Mr. Lynch.
"We hope to have the brochure in every available outlet like B&Bs,
hotels,
tourist offices and at the Heritage Council offices," said Mr. French.
Ms. Ní Lamhna, speaking to the Dungarvan Observer, said the Lickey
Valley
area is maintained as a conservation area and it was important the
River
Lickey is kept clean because of the rare species of mussels found in
it.
"The species of mussels is rare in Ireland and Europe and it should be
preserved and not have a dump located near it to pollute the river,"
said
Ms. Ní Lamhna.
"It is wonderful the river has a walk around it. People can enjoy the
nature
and wildlife.
You are lucky to have such a brilliant area as the Lickey Valley, and
the
best thing is, people can walk at seven various stages along the river
in 3
km or 10 km lengths, depending on the humour you are in!
The paths are tracks marked out, so there is no ploughing through
muck.
The school children who came along on the nature walk with me enjoyed
it.
It would make a great part of the curriculum for environment and
history.
The children got good samples of nature on their walk.
There are many fruits flowers and foilage along the way including
Gorse -
when gorse is out of blossom, kissing's out of fashion - although
Gorse is
never out of blossom, so neither is kissing!" jested Ms. Ní Lamhna.
Fourth and fifth year pupils from Scoil Naisiunta an tSean Phobail took
part
in the launch walk with Ms. Ní Lamhna, collecting samples of nature and
solving puzzles on the way.
Prizes and presentations were later made to the children at a ceremony
in
the Marine Bar, attended by parents, teachers, Lickey Valley Committee
members and officials.
Speaking at the launch, Tómas Ó Mathuná, Lickey Valley Committee,
thanked
Ms. Ní Lamhna for travelling down from Dublin to launch the brochure.
"I would like to express special tribute and thanks to the politicians
who
attended on the day, as well as pupils, parents, principal and teachers
of
Scoil Naisiunta an tSean Phobail; the Heritage Council; Ógras youth
community group; Christy and Helen O'Neill of the Marine Bar; Caitriona
Breathnach for translations; to John Walsh for his expertise and to
Suranne
Walsh for the history and geneology," said Mr. Ó Mathuná.
Concluding, Mr. Ó Mathuná issued a challenge to the public to complete
all
seven walks along the Lickey Valley.
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Paul Mooney
Features Editor, Dungarvan Observer (1 Feb 2006)
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