The annual toll of river pollution and its concomitant, masses of dead and soon to be stinking fish, is with us. Here on the east coast, five miles of a noted spawning tributary of the River Dee, the Keeran, were badly affected in what is suspected to be a burst of agricultural effluent. The important word in the above is spawning. This is the source from which salmon, after a couple of years, go out to make the great journey across the Atlantic and return in their strength and weight and beauty, to start the amazing process again. We throw away so many of the gifts which have been granted to us. This early reminder from a river which forms the boundary between Meath and Louth for much of its length.
Meath is making great strides in its efforts to get well into the tourist market. Latest sign is the opening of a Crafts Centre in Trim.
Also on the heartening side, and a big surprise to many, is a great work being carried out on Loughcrew House Gardens, former land of the Plunketts, which many may best know from the unique yew avenue of giant trees. This is said to date back to the mid-17th century. Could some expert, say Thomas Pakenham, give us a reading? Anyway, these gardens are being restored under the guidance of a formidable list of experts. And there is much to do. A good deal of aid comes from the Great Gardens of Ireland Fund and now a FAS team of workers is busily engaged. Here are some of the works undertaken: the re-siting of a Greek ruin portico into the gardens from the house front, while the ornamental pond beside the walled garden has been cleared and the 17th-century foundations of the manor house have been excavated. Old paved canal beds are being restored; the stone walls will be correctly rebuilt and old ironwork, stonework and woodwork are also to be tackled. (All this in a recent copy of The Meath Chronicle.)
Such work is to some extent in the blood of Mrs Naper, for the layout of her home in England was in the hands of no less a garden genius than Capability Brown. The OPW have been a great help, and she and her husband are in skilled hands. Surprising statistic. Dr McDaid, recently noted that the great gardens of Ireland attracted more overseas visitors than does golf. And the Loughcrew area and Sliabh na Calliagh with its neolithic remains is a close rival to Newgrange and the rest. Great views over the county. Y