Funding to improve fish stocks in river that rises in Co Kildare

A PROJECT in Kildare is one of 21 fisheries conservation projects that have been approved for funding to help restore salmon and trout stocks, and their habitats.

In total IFI’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme has awarded a total of €771,295 for 21 new environmental works in 2025 across 14 counties.

In Co Kildare, restoration projects in the Boyne catchment in Co Meath and Co Kildare will include the Garr River, the Skane River, and at Trimblestown to improve damaged habitats, and recruitment of juvenile and adult salmonid.

The River Boyne, which is 112 kilometres (70 miles) long, rises at Trinity Well, Newberry Hall, near Carbury and flows north-east through County Meath to reach the Irish Sea between Mornington, County Meath, and Baltray, County Louth.

The competitive scheme, administered by IFI, supports sustainable initiatives to ensure native salmon and sea trout survive and thrive, and overcome ongoing challenges they face in the wild.

Announcing the award recipients Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “This investment by IFI will finance vital projects that will help futureproof Ireland’s salmon and sea trout populations.

"Our migratory Atlantic salmon are in significant decline. The department and IFI are committed to supporting restoration efforts - working in partnership with our stakeholders to increase juvenile production of the species.

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"This year’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme submissions demonstrate strong leadership in the stewardship of local rivers, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.
"It’s heartening to see such positive community and stakeholder engagement in the applications."

Barry Fox Head of Operations with IFI added: "With these grants Inland Fisheries Ireland is working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory groups to create resilient habitats for future generations of fish.

"The projects include those that are of national strategic importance, and those that aim to improve damaged habitats in regional catchments failing to meet their conservation limits."

Financial assistance will be provided to projects across the Republic of Ireland, and distributed as follows: Galway (€163k), Meath (€139k), Sligo (€77k), Donegal (€41k), Tipperary (€32k), Carlow (€30k), Cavan (€25k), Mayo (€23k), Laois (€20k), Offaly (€20k), Kildare (€17k), Leitrim (€16k), Dublin (€12k), Louth (€7.5k), and national projects (€148k).

Since 2016 IFI has provided €8.9m to different groups and fisheries development experts through its Habitats and Conservation Schemes.

Monies for the scheme are generated by the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences, fishing permits, and commercial fishing licences in Ireland.

The scheme comprises IFI’s Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund, and the Midland Fisheries Fund.

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