Green Project of the Year Finalist: Friends of Castle Lake Catchment

Friends Of Castle Lake Catchment formed in 2022 after the deaths of the entire family of Mute Swans on the Castle Lake in Bailieborough, supposedly caused by the blue/green algae.

There are currently 22 active members who work to protect the Castle Lake and its environs. “When those swans died we were all heartbroken, you can imagine what that was like to have lost a whole family off the lake. “Everybody got such a shock with what happened to those swans,” said committee member, Fidel Hogan Walsh.

She said the members were “absolutely thrilled” to learn their work had been acknowledged through the Celt's Community Awards. “You can well imagine, to have recognition for what the group does, it’s just wonderful," she said. Since its inception, the group has worked diligently to create awareness of the beautiful environs of the Castle Lake and forest in Bailieborough and to find ways to improve the water quality.

This, they believe, is important in order to protect the wildlife that lives in and frequents the area. Group members liaise with stakeholders and local industries to help achieve their goal of creating awareness around environmental sustainability. “We have a wonderful community here in Bailieborough. Regardless of the weather, everybody is out.

“Everybody seems to want to do the very best for that lake,” Fidel commented. To date they have had a very intensive ecology survey carried out on the lake, had several wildlife information signs erected around the forest and have taken part in biodiversity and heritage week events. They held a photography competition called 'The Colour Of Nature' and also organised a litter clean-up around the lake and forest in March.

The group has also installed Swift nest boxes at Model National School in Bailieborough town. “When you think of what that lake does for us, we’re so blessed to have it on our doorstep. “We want to give back what it’s been giving us.”