From Left to Right: Barry Deane, LAWPRO South West Regional Co-Ordinator, Cllr. Tommy Cahill, Bláthnaid O’Loughlin LAWPRO Community Water Officer for Kerry, Cllr. Teddy O’Sullivan Casey, Deputy Michael Cahill TD, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan, Cllr. Norma Moriarty, Anthony Colman, LAWPRO Director of Services, Paul O’Callaghan, Blue Dot Catchments Programme Lead.
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) invited the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, to launch a new campaign raising awareness of the Blue Dot waterbodies in Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula.
At the campaign launch in Sneem on Saturday 29th November, Minister O’Sullivan unveiled a LAWPRO-commissioned sculpture called ‘Freshwater Pearl Mussel in bronze’ by artist Don Cronin. The artwork recognises the importance of the freshwater pearl mussel to the health of the natural waters in the area and will stand as a lasting monument that raises awareness of the Blue Dots in Iveragh and beyond.
Following the unveiling, LAWPRO hosted a screening of a new documentary made in collaboration with Kerry County Council and CrowCrag Productions, called ‘The Blue Dot Waters of the Iveragh Peninsula’. The film is a stunning visual journey through the pristine rivers, lakes, and coastal waters of the peninsula. Narrated by renowned ecologist and broadcaster Anja Murray, it explores the deep connection between local communities and their environment, recognising their passion for the protection and restoration of their Blue Dot waterbodies.
In addition, LAWPRO has published an information booklet profiling a selection of Iveragh’s Blue Dots in more detail.
Speaking at the launch in Sneem, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, said: “At a time when water quality in Ireland is facing challenges, it’s more important than ever that we continue to celebrate our highest quality waters. The wonderful sculpture by artist Don Cronin and the documentary are not only a celebration of Kerry’s pristine waters, but also a tribute to the communities, landowners, farmers, anglers and other advocates who rely on healthy rivers and lakes and who work together to protect their high status objective.”
Dr. Bernadette White, Western Regional Coordinator and Blue Dot Catchments Programme Coordinator with LAWPRO, stated: “We are delighted to release this film showcasing a diverse range of the highest quality waters in our country and the communities and individuals who make tremendous efforts to protect them. We hope that this film provides inspiration for communities across Ireland to take a greater interest in their local waterways and get involved in efforts to improve the status of Ireland’s waters. We would also like to thank both the artist for creating a beautiful monument to the Blue Dots in Iveragh and also everyone who took part in and helped make a great film about this area’s wonderful waterways.”
Cllr. Norma Moriarty, Cathaoirleach of Kenmare Municipal District, added: “I welcome the launch of this film highlighting the beauty of Kerry’s Iveragh peninsula and the people who are striving to help keep our rivers, lakes, coastal and transitional waters healthy. The film is a testament to all of their hard work and a reminder that when communities, state bodies and other stakeholders work together, we can help improve water quality in our local areas.”
Blue Dot waterbodies are high status objective waters, home to many rare and threatened species. When properly protected, they include our highest quality waters. The Iveragh peninsula is unique in Ireland for the density and variety of its Blue Dot waterbodies – with 27 river waterbodies, 6 lakes, 3 coastal waters and 1 transitional water body categorised as Blue Dots. Cultivating awareness of, and engagement with, these special places and the ecosystems they support is of vital importance in securing their future.
LAWPRO collaborates with local communities through the Blue Dot Catchments Programme to protect and improve Ireland’s high status objective waters so that the benefits to biodiversity, our health and wellbeing, our heritage and the climate can be enjoyed by current and future generations.
For more information on the project, visit www.lawaters.ie/Iveragh.