BIODIVERSITY SITES IN THE AREA
Carrick on Suir and District Lions Club commissioned an ecologist-led Biodiversity Action Plan for the town, backed by funding from the Community Foundation for Ireland. Despite the pressing issue of wetland habitats declining due to invasive species and litter, many locals lack awareness of their ecological importance. The few remaining wetland areas are critical but face severe threats from fly-tipping and river-borne pollution. This plan aims to combat these issues and educate the community on the value of these vital sites.
Allied to this, there is a general lack of knowledge and appreciation of the biodiversity importance of the remaining 3 sites which we identify as:
- The Duck Pond at the Glen River, O.S. S398224
- The small wetland between Lidl and the Suir, O.S. S391220
- The Bog Fields at Carrickbeg, O.S. S402214 and S402215.
THE DUCK POND AT THE GLEN RIVER
This wetland encompasses an artificial pond created initially as a duck rearing facility for the Ballyneale Gun Club and adjoining semi-natural habitats. These include reed and large sedge swamp, wet grassland and scrub habitat. The Glen River (Mill Race) flows along the western boundary linking this site to the River Suir. The Eastern Boundary with the recently improved Páirc na h-Ealaí G.A.A. club is comprised of a mature and overgrown hedgerow.
This site has in the recent past housed a breeding pair of Mute Swans. It is a site of local importance for roosting gulls. The site has been visited by a great diversity of bird life including 1 from the Red List and 8 from the Amber List of the Birds of Conservation of Ireland 2020 – 2026. The site is privately owned and has no special designation or protection.
| BIRDS | |||
| Grey Heron | Mute Swan | Herring Gull | L. Blackbacked Gull |
| Mallard | Black Headed Gull | Moorhen | Jackdaw |
| Grey Wagtail | Little Egret | Rook | Blackbird |
| Wren | Dunnock | Hooded Crow | Wood Pigeon |
| Swallow | Little Grebe | Pied Wagtail | House Martin |
| Willow Warbler | Reed Bunting | Long Tailed Tit | Kingfisher |
| Magpie | Robin | Buzzard | Teal |
| Glossy Ibis | Chaffinch | House Sparrow | Snipe |
| Flora | |||
| Traveller’s Joy | Water Mint | Gypsywort | Bramble |
| Winter Heliotrope | Hedge Bindweed | Bittersweet | Branched Burr Reed |
| Great Reedmace | Great Willow Herb | Ragwort | Lesser Celandine |
| Wild Clematis | Large Sedge | ||
| Insects | |||
| Small Tortoiseshell | Red Admiral | Holly Blue | Small White |
| Meadow Brown | Ringlet | Painted Lady | Buff Tailed Bumblebee |
| Mammals/Amphibians | |||
| Fox |
Little Wetland between River and Lidl
| Birds | |||
| Mallard | Moorhen | Grey Heron | Little Egret |
| Reed Bunting | Song Thrush | Goldfinch | Robin |
| Wren | Swallow | Sand Martin | Magpie |
| Blackbird | Green Sandpiper | Dunnock | Chiffchaff |
| Sedge Warbler | |||
| Flora | |||
| Water Violet | Buttercup | Great Reedmace | Yellow Flag Iris |
| Common Valarian | Nodding Burr Marigold | Traveller’s Joy | Himalayan Balsam |
| Common Fleabane | Hedge Bindweed | Purple Loosestrife | Meadow Sweet |
| Ladies Smock | Tufted Vetch | Meadow Vetchling | Red+White Clover |
| Great Willow Herb | Broad leaved Willow Herb | Creeping Jenny | Horsetail |
| Water Forget-me-not | Water Mint | Gypsywort | Common Thistle |
| Marsh Thistle | Lesser Stitchwort | Redshank | Bramble |
| Insects | |||
| Common Carder Bee | Cranefly | Red Tailed Bumbleb. | Honeybee |
| White Tailed Bumble | Buff Tailed Bumblebee | Angle Shades Moth | Cinnabar Moth |
| Meadow Brown | Silver-washed Fritillary | Small White | Large White |
| Tiger Hoverfly | Flesh Fly | Horse Fly | Banded Demoiselle |
| Migrant Hawker | |||
| Mammals/Amphibians | |||
| Common Pipistrelle | Soprano Pipistrelle | Daubenton’s | Leisler’s |
| Otter |
The Bog Fields at Carrickbeg
Map of other sites of Biodiversity Interest: 1-9
Other open spaces and sites of biodiversity interest include the following.
The Ormond Castle has a nesting pair of Ravens that are affectionately known as Black Tom and Lady Bess. House Martins, Jackdaws, Sparrows all nest in the Castle walls and there is a bat roost present also. The Castle Garden is maintained with pollinators and biodiversity in mind. The Castle Field has undergone a transformation in 2024 under the Ormond Castle Park Ecological and Amenity Enhancement Scheme which has seen the planting of Native Woodlands, Meadows, Native Hedges, Edible Landscapes reduction of the amount of Open Grassland present.
The Sally Islands/Estuary
The Sally islands are primarily oziers that were harvested in historic times for the well established Carrick Basket weaving industry. The islands in this part of the Foreshore of County Tipperary are special in the variety of willow species present. They exist within the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation and the river at this location is where the transitional waters of the Suir Estuary meet freshwater. The riverbed here provides the spawning grounds and nursery areas for smelt (also known as the Cucumber fish) and Flounder (known locally as Flukes). Here you will find some of our wading birds including Green Sandpipers, Redshank, Little Egret, Grey Heron and ducks such as Mallard and Teal. A pair of Mute Swans return annually to nest on the westernmost tip of the island.
Carrick-on-Suir’s beautiful Town Park was laid out in 1868 under the direction of the then Town Commissioners, the cost having been borne partly by public subscription and the balance coming out of the rates. Only 2 people turned up at the first meeting held to establish the park and the first petition for public subscription raised only £12. A large contribution towards the work was secured through the efforts of Issac Butt MP who was able to attract funds previously set aside for public relief works following the Great Famine. Lord Bessborough one of the landlords in the town gave the site free of charge and a gift of 3 Californian Redwoods or Sequoias was made by Joseph Rivers Esq. of Tybroughtny.
The Town Park is a mini arboretum with mature trees from all over the world including the Gianr Sequoia, Holm or Evergreen Oak, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Willow, Yew and many others.
The new River Island
The River Suir widens just at the Cottage Quay and the slowing flow has caused deposition of sand and gravel and this has been colonised and is becoming established as a permanent river island albeit often covered during flood conditions. First arrivals included rushes and reeds and the beautiful Flowering Rush is strongly established. Other wildflowers include Purple Loosetriffe, Oxford Ragwort and Meadowsweet. Some Willow trees have also colonised the island and the tops can be seen above high tide level. Birds feed and shelter here including Moorhen, Mallard, Egret, Mute Swan, Green Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail and the Corvids especially the Hooded Crows.
To travel the Blueway on foot, by bike or boat at any time of the year is simply an emersion in nature. Spring sees the arrival of the House Martins, followd by the Swallows and eventually Swifts and amongst the Willows on the bank , the calls of Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler and other summer visitors are a daily joy. Riverbank wildflowers change with the seasons and there is a rich associated biodiversity. Firstly the Marsh Marigold, followed by the umbillifers and the sweet smelling Meadow Sweet, St John’s Wort, Angelicas, Purple Loosetriffe, Common Fleabane, each with their own unique story. This is the best place in the world to watch the elusive but magnificent European Otter. Great to see the return in numbers of the Twaite Shad in good numbers in 2024. (known locally as Scads). The Blueway has a great variety of insects, dragonflies and damselflies and, unsurprisingly, a great place to monitor Bats. Works commenced in 2024 to create Native Woodland and Pollinator Friendly planting throughout Sean Healy Park.
The former Pauper’s Graveyard where the overflow from the Poorhouse were interred has been lovingly restored and rededicated as St Francis Pauper’s Graveyard. Native Oak trees have been planted throughout with Yew trees on one boundary. This is a peaceful area surrounded by natural hedgerows consisting of Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Ash, Crab Apple, Elder, Sycamore and a mature Lime. It is accessed through St John’s Housing Estate or from the newly replaced Clairín Bridge.
Seskin Woods/Coolnamuck East
A walk through the fresh air of Seskin Woods is always invigorating and a discerning visitor may well come across Deer, Red Squirrel, Fox, Pine Martin, Buzzard, Goldcrest, Jay, Wood Warbler, Blackcap, Great Tit, Wood Pigeon and other woodland birds. The wildflowers in wood openings and turning areas are full of wildflowers attracting most of the Butterfly species found in Ireland in addition to bees, hoverflies and other pollinators
Carrick-on-Suir Golf Club has a surprising level of biodiversity and its elevated position above the town gives it great views of Slievenamon, the Suir Valley, the Comeragh Mountains and faraway vistas of the Blackstairs – views of 5 counties in all. The Clubhouse caters for an annual influx of House Martins that build their nests and rear their young in clear view of all. Throughout the course there are mature trees, mature hedgerows and areas left for wildlife that support a vibrant biodiversity. Mining bees occupy the bunker on the 6th, Mistle Thrushes are an all year round ever present, Dry Heath habitat with Ladies Bedstraw and Spotted Heath Orchid on the 8th , Red Squirrel on the 11th, Pine Marten on the 10th, Buzzards above the 16th, Rabbits everywhere and a range of toadstools and mushrooms to excite any mycologist. Bullrushes grow in the lake and pollinator friendly planting has been carried out around the clubhouse.
Video from Bealtaine Living Earth
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