Ireland's climate change has taken on a new dimension: you don't have to go to the tropics for flying fish. This was the talk on the banks of Mayo's River Moy yesterday when word spread of the salmon that "got away".
The two-kilo fish smashed through the roof of Ms Gertie Clarke's house on Hill Street, Ballina, on Monday, and didn't survive the fall. Ms Clarke, mother of Mayo sub goalkeeper David Clarke, was at home at about 11.20 a.m. when she heard a loud bang.
The family were taken aback when they discovered the cause. Part of a fish was caught in a hole in their roof, with the remainder spattered over the roof area. It was impossible to determine its origin due to the damage on impact, but the Clarkes live quite close to the Moy.
Mr Tony Murray, ranger with the National Park and Wildlife Service in north Mayo, said it was possible that the salmon dropped from the talons of an osprey, a large fish-eating bird, while in flight over the Clarkes' house. Ospreys have been recorded in increasing numbers in Ireland, mainly on the east coast, Mr Murray says.
"There's usually a sighting on the Corrib and in and around Bangor Erris in north Mayo. I have seen them carrying fish of four to five pounds, which they partially devour before continuing on, but usually they go for a more manageable quarry of one to two pounds," he added.
Scouring on the head and dorsal fins of a fish would indicate that it had been caught by the bird.
After the strange occurrence on Hill Street, the price of salmon is not expected to go through the roof in Ballina this week.