Seven Cork River Projects to Receive Funding for Barrier Removal and Restoration

Seven river projects across Cork are set to benefit from national investment aimed at restoring free-flowing waterways by removing physical barriers such as dams and weirs that restrict fish movement and damage aquatic ecosystems.

The projects form part of the national Barrier Mitigation Programme, which has approved €13.6 million in funding for 103 schemes across Ireland. The programme, led by Inland Fisheries Ireland, targets structures that prevent fish passage and degrade river health, with the capital works expected to improve biodiversity and support threatened species including Atlantic salmon, European eel and lamprey.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan TD announced the funding today, highlighting Cork's strong representation in the programme.

Minister O'Sullivan said:

"I am proud to announce this funding and to see Cork projects so well represented. Today's announcement is an investment in the health of our rivers and the species that call them home, and a vital contribution towards the achievement of Ireland's targets for free-flowing rivers under the Nature Restoration Law."

The Cork projects receiving funding include works at Clondulane Weir, Glashaboy Weir, weirs on the Awbeg River, a culvert at Ovens Bridge, Araglin Bridge Apron and the Bride River Bridge Apron.

The Barrier Mitigation Programme was formally established in 2024, following groundwork that began in 2018 when Inland Fisheries Ireland started cataloguing and assessing barriers across the country. The initiative recognises the significant impact that man-made structures have on waterways and the species that depend on them.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said:

"The 103 fish barrier mitigation projects being initiated across Ireland are an important step towards accelerating improvements in water quality, particularly with respect to river connectivity and fish migration. This lays a great foundation from which future success can be achieved to improve water quality. My Department is proud to continue to fund the National Barrier Mitigation Programme through the Government's current investment in water quality initiatives in 2026."

The programme supports requirements under the Water Framework Directive and contributes to the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which aims to make at least 25,000km of rivers free-flowing again by 2030. It also aligns with the EU Nature Restoration Law's provisions for restoring natural river connectivity and floodplain functions.

Minister O'Sullivan added:

"It's essential that we continue to make efforts to improve the ecological status of our freshwater habitats, not only to improve the fortunes of iconic and threatened species like Atlantic salmon, European eel and lamprey, but also for everyone who loves and cherishes their local river."