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Cloondroon Lake

Cloondroon Lake is highly valued for coarse fishing as it is stocked with Pike, Perch and Roach. This beautiful natural local amenity has been developed by the local community in partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Office of Public Cloondroon Lake Works, in a sensitive manner to protect the coarse fishing resource, local environment […]

June 7, 2017/6,247 Comments/by Nick Skehan

A fisherman Fly Fishing for trout on the River Clare at Milltown Co. Galway

Things to do and see

The Clare River

The Clare River is a focal point in the village and is the largest tributary flowing into Lough Corrib. The river is designated for nature conservation as part of the Lough Corrib Special Area of Conservation (SAC) . This is largely due to the Sunset on the Clare River presence of Atlantic Salmon and Otters. […]

June 7, 2017/8,525 Comments/by Nick Skehan

Things to do and see

Cloondroon Lake

June 7, 2017/6,247 Comments/by Nick Skehan

Things to do and see

The Clare River

June 7, 2017/8,525 Comments/by Nick Skehan

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Things to do and see

Cloondroon Lake

Works, in a sensitive manner to protect the coarse fishing resource, local environment and wildlife. Eels and Freshwater Crayfish have been seen in the Illaune River running into the lake. The lake is also a popular destination for local Kayakers who teach youngsters how to get about on the water.

The very rare Marsh Fritillary Butterfly (one of the rarest in Europe!) has been recorded in wet grassland near Cloondroon. Otters and their young are spotted regularly by anglers in and around the lake.

Cloondroon Lake is also a good and easily accessible spot for birdwatching. It attracts several species of duck in winter including Teal, Wigeon and Gadwall as well as rarer local types such as Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. Wintering Icelandic Whooper Swans, sometimes in numbers up to a 100 strong and, very rarely nowadays, Greenland White-fronted Geese, can sometimes be seen here.

The area around the lake, especially in autumn and winter, is usually good for Lapwing and Golden Plover.

A flock of about 2,000 Lapwing was once recorded at the site along with 500 Golden Plover! Common Terns have sometimes dropped in to feed in spring, and occasionally do so in summer. Water Rail, though usually difficult to see, can often be heard around the fringes of the lake and this is probably the best area to come across a wintering Hen Harrier or two.

Hen Harriers are one of our rarest birds of prey. These majestic birds of prey used to roost close to the lake in the undisturbed scrub and bog land and though much scarcer than in former times, are still to be found most winters.

One notable – albeit, brief – visitor to the lake was a White – tailed Eagle that was tracked here with the aid of a satellite tag as it roamed up and down the country in 2009.

Picnic area at Cloondroon Lake

June 7, 2017/6,247 Comments/by Nick Skehan

Things to do and see

The Clare River

Sunset on the Clare River

presence of Atlantic Salmon and Otters. The Clare River rises in Mayo and starts out life as the Dalgin River. The Sinking River joins the Dalgin River 400m south of Dalgin Bridge to form the Clare River.

Populations of the wild Salmon have declined markedly throughout Ireland and the European Union, largely due to a decline in water quality and loss of aquatic habitats. The Clare River is the most important tributary for spawning Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout in the Corrib system. Numbers of Otters in Ireland and Europe have also declined in recent years but they are still regularly seen in and around the Clare River and its tributaries in Milltown.

BIRDS AND HABITATS OF THE CLARE RIVER

Both Pied and Grey Wagtail birds can be found along the riverbanks of the Clare River all year round. During the summer months, with luck, the Kingfisher might also be encountered. Common Sandpipers in spring and occasionally Green Sandpipers, at any time of the year, might be seen feeding on muddy areas. In the summer Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow fly along the river and across fields hunting the rich insect life available.

Mute Swan and Dabchick (Little Grebe) are also present on the slower running parts of the river, as is the occasional Cormorant.

Habitats for wildlife along the river include the river itself, wet grassland, reed swamp and wet woodland. These wetlands are teeming with dragonflies, snails, beetles and other invertebrates in the summer, providing a rich source of food for other wildlife. Wildflowers that can be seen in and around the wetter margins of the river include Yellow Flag Iris, Orchids, Meadowsweet and Purple Loosestrife.

DRAINAGE WORKS AND THE RICH ANGLING RESOURCE

Much of the Clare River system was arterially drained over the past 150 years, most recently in the 1950s and 1960s, in order to alleviate winter flooding problems. Drainage works markedly altered the river course and depth, straightening

Fishing for Salmon on The Clare

out long sections, smoothing many of the bends and deepening the channel. Large heaps of spoil along the river banks in many places testify to the huge amount of material removed during the drainage works. The drainage works had a devastating effect on the Clare River, with most of its natural character destroyed. The works reduced the ecological diversity of the river system and accounted for a considerable reduction in the salmonid production capacity of the system.

The Clare River and its tributaries are, however, prized for angling again following successful remedial works on the river and its tributaries to restore some of the rivers’ natural aquatic habitats.

Milltown Angling Club, in co-operation with Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Office of Public Works, local landowners and Milltown Development Association are actively working on various projects to protect and enhance the wildlife, water quality and angling value of these rivers.

Many of the local angling spots on the Clare River have colourful names including Begley’s Hole, Poll a tSagart, and the Blue Pig River, reflecting the long history of angling in the area and close association of water with local life.

June 7, 2017/8,525 Comments/by Nick Skehan

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Cloondroon Lake

The Clare River

Cloondroon Lake

The Clare River

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Cloondroon Lake

The Clare River

BIRDS AND HABITATS OF THE CLARE RIVER

DRAINAGE WORKS AND THE RICH ANGLING RESOURCE

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