Keeping tabs on our water heritage

Watching wild salmon feed in fresh water, coastal walks and environmental "check-ups" of our lakes were among the events held over the weekend to mark Water Heritage Day.

Organised by the Heritage Council as part of Heritage Week, Saturday was designated Water Heritage Day but many events were also held in recent days and yesterday to celebrate all aspects of our water heritage.

In Dublin, families were invited to enjoy the Liffey at close quarters during a day out on the sleek Spirit of Docklands while others joined a guided walk along the Donabate-Portrane coastline.

An open day was held at Cork's Lifetime Lab, based at the old waterworks which supplied water to Cork city for some 200 years. Visitors inspected the boilers and huge steam engines used to pump water to the city.

In Co Galway, where people are acutely aware of the importance of clean water after the experience of contamination of the city's water in recent months, an "environmental check-up" of Lough Mask was open to all.

Underwater film-maker Vincent Hyland of Killarney made his short film on salmon feeding behaviour available online on Saturday. In Co Louth, at Oldbridge Sea Lock, an open day included boat trips, horse and carriage trips and music from the Drogheda Silver Band.

Talks were also held in many venues countrywide on marine subjects, including the restoration of the Royal Canal, the Grand Canal from 1756 to now and underwater excavations at Lough Gara in Co Sligo.

A walk through the Wexford wetlands and wildlife reserve took place on Saturday afternoon while, in Killybegs, Co Donegal, film shows on great sea voyages and lectures on local fishing communities, boat-building and sailing concluded yesterday.

Meanwhile, an extraordinary 1862 journey by four impoverished brothers from the west of Ireland to Dublin along Ireland's then motorway, the Royal Canal way, will be retraced from next Saturday in aid of the Dublin Simon Community.

The Flannery brothers, the youngest just 16, left their parents' home in Clooncunny, Co Sligo, in 1862 to walk to Dublin. They stole potatoes along the way for food and, from Dublin, took a ship to New Zealand.They later became wealthy there by establishing a gold mine.

Their journey will be recreated from Saturday next in Dublin, concluding on September 16th in Newport, Co Mayo.