Riverside loop walks open in Ballinderry
This Sunday, July 31, marks a historic day for the pretty Lower Ormond village of Ballinderry, with the official opening of a riverside loop walk that is sure to attract visitors and local alike.
To mark the special day, the local Development Association which spearheaded the lovely new amenity, are hosting ‘Ballinderry Beo’, a one-day festival kicking off at 1.30pm, marking a celebration of local food, a showcase of the best of music talent from the area and edible treats and beverages galore to enjoy on the scenic riverbank.
The people from the Local Authorities Rivers Waters Programme, who are doing great work to protect unique ecosystems like that existing in the Ballyfinboy River that flows through the village, will be giving a special talk on the huge range of flora and fauna that live along the waterway - long recognised as one of the most important spawning grounds for Wild Brown Trout that migrate every autumn from nearby Lough Derg, and Atlantic Salmon that swim thousands of miles back from their feeding grounds in Greenland to return to lay their eggs in the stream they were born in.
Ballinderry Development Association Chairman Sean O' Meara revealed that the new walkway spans a total of
eight kilometres that wends its way around the verdant countryside of the village in a route designed as "a figure of eight".
THREE WALKS
The are three loop walk options: the entire eight kilometres route itself or walks spanning lower distances of five and three kilometres.
The entire route takes in 1.6 kilometres between two bridges along the Ballyfinboy itself, this riverside section being a main feature that, Sean says, would not have been possible without the full cooperation and wholehearted generosity of a local farmer who gave access for works to take place.
Apart from the rich fish life, swans, ducks, moorhens and a plethora of migrating birds can be seen along the river, not to mention the resiednt otters and beautiful kingfishers. It's a perfect walk in nature and an ideal getaway for those who want to escape the busy modern world.
Officially opening the walk on Sunday will be Ruairi Ó Conchobair, who is one of the country's foremost authorities on the flora and fauna of river ecosystems - an event not to be missed by those interested in river wildlife and flora.
LAKESHORE MARKET
The renowned Lakeshore Community Market, which has brought a whole new appreciation of local food produce to attention of visitors to villages in the Lough Derg area over the past number of years, will be camped in Ballinderry for the day, with stalls selling a wide variety of edibles.
Sean thanked the local community for supporting the development association in its work in the planning and development of the loop walks over the last three years.
“We would also like to thank the local LEADER company, Tipperary County Council and the Local Authority Waters Programme for their support,” said Sean.
The project marks a great comeback for the Ballyfinboy River, which was decimated in 1985 as a result of a large-scale draining project that destroyed the natural ecosystem and ruined the waterway as a top class trout fishery.
But much work has since been done and Sean says trout are again evident in the river.
Indeed, his association is now trying to promote the waterway as an angling amenity.
“We now have a beautiful place for everyone to walk and enjoy the natural countryside and we hope the amenity will be a big boost to Ballinderry itself,” Sean concluded.