Knowledge Repository
Inishowen Rivers Trust Knowledge Repository
For over a decade, the Inishowen Rivers Trust has been dedicated to improving the water quality of freshwater bodies across Inishowen.
Through a diverse range of projects focused on nature-based solutions, community engagement, and sustainable practices, we have accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise in water management, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. This knowledge repository is our way of sharing this extensive body of work with you.
What You’ll Find Here
The Inishowen Rivers Trust Knowledge Repository is designed to be an easy-to-navigate platform, providing access to years of knowledge, research, and practical experience.
Whether you are a community member, landowner, student, educator, or environmental enthusiast, we have curated a wide array of resources to meet your needs.
We invite you to explore, learn, and get inspired by the wealth of information available. Together, we can make a positive impact on the natural environment. Welcome to the Inishowen Rivers Trust Knowledge Repository.
How to Use the Repository
Explore by Project Topics
If you’re interested in specific projects we've undertaken, such as Natural Flood Management, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), Invasive Species Control, Citizen Science, or River Restoration, simply click on the relevant subject to access reports, presentations, videos, and training materials.
Find Resources by User Category
We know that different users have different needs. You can filter resources based on your profile—whether you are a landowner looking for best practices, a community group interested in hosting environmental initiatives, or a teacher seeking educational content for students. This user-focused approach makes it easier to find materials tailored to your interests.
All Resources
What is Natural Flood Management? A short explainer
A short video explaining what natural flood management is and illustrating the types of measures that are used with this technique. This video uses a combination of drone footage and illustrations to demonstrate how these measures work to alleviate flood waters.
Created as part of the Inishowen Rivers Trust's project 'On the Ground: Pilot NWRM Scheme in Inishowen', using actual footage and photographs from the project.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Program 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Eels, enigmas and Lough Neagh
Eels, enigmas and Lough Neagh
Inishowen Rivers Trust : 1st April 2021
Dr Liam Campbell, Lough Neagh Landscape Partnership
THE EUROPEAN EEL IN INISHOWEN A DESKTOP RESEARCH REPORT
THE EUROPEAN EEL IN INISHOWEN
A DESKTOP RESEARCH REPORT
by
Thomas Lawrence
APRIL 2021
DRAINAGE & RIVER MANAGEMENT Ken Whelan & Rosemary McCloskey
WEBINAR – Drainage & River Management – 19th November 2020
Prof. Ken Whelan, UCD, AST
Rosemary McCloskey, IRT, Stroud District Council
Drainage_and_River_Management_IRTWebinar_QandA_FINAL (PDF 212KB)
Inga Bock, Donegal Rural Recreation Officer (DLDC) – Rural Recreation in County Donegal – (2.2MB PDF)
Nature Based Solutions for Flood Management in Inishowen (with specific focus on Clonmany) – 23rd July 2020
Prof. Mary Bourke – YouTube video of presentation – 23 mins – Clonmany Community Centre, Inishowen
The Opportunities for Natural Water Retention Measures in Inishowen – 14th Feb 2020
Prof. Mary Bourke & Dr. Paul Quinn – Opportunities for NWRM in Inishowen (PDF 900KB) – Presentation at launch event in Colgan Hall, Carndonagh
Missing Salmon Project & Likely Suspects – 10th May 2019
Prof. Ken Whelan – ‘Salmon under pressure‘ (PDF 4.6MB) – Article from Off The Scale Issue 25, Nov-Dec 2018
Catchment Management: a holistic, interventionist approach to catchment management
Farming & Flooding – May 28th 2019
Prof. Mary Bourke, Trinity College Dublin
The Storm: Professor Mary Bourke Department of Geography, Trinity College, Dublin.
The Storm: Professor Mary Bourke Department of Geography, Trinity College, Dublin.
Feb 2018
Slow the Flow Feb 2018
Brendan Maguire - Gerry Mc Clafferty, Inland Fisheries Ireland Feb 2018
Woodlands for Water: Using trees and riparian planting to alleviate flooding
Woodlands for Water: Using trees and riparian planting to alleviate flooding
By Ken Bucke: Forestry Inspector, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
Inishowen Rivers Trust
27 Oct 2018
Volunteer Registration Form
To become an Inishowen Rivers Trust Volunteer, please download, fill out this form and return it to [email protected]
An Introduction to the work of the Inishowen Rivers Trust, Co. Donegal
A short introduction to the work of the Inishowen Rivers Trust, Co. Donegal, featuring Project Officers John Duffy and Trish Murphy. John discusses the Trust's aims of connecting community to and through our rivers and the footage shows some of the Trust's work on nature based solutions.
Filmed by Startacus as part of the Awareness Raising Initiatives for Social Enterprises (ARISE) 2022 project with Inishowen Development Project and funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Tunnocks – The Unique Flavour of the IRT_with notes.pptx
The inspiration for my presentation is the Tunnocks Teacake.
Relationships are incredibly important to the success of our work in protecting, improving and restoring rivers.
The importance of conversations.
The Inishowen Rivers Trust (IRT) has worked for over ten years in the North West of Ireland. Through projects addressing Natural Flood Management (NFM), invasive species control, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), and Riparian Buffer Zones (CRIBZ), we are known for our practical work reducing nutrient runoff, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering community engagement.
This presentation is a look at the contributing parts of the Inishowen Rivers Trust, all playing a role in driving protecting, improving and restoring our rivers.
10 years of Inishowen Rivers Trust
On 8th April 2014 a meeting was held in Moville, Co. Donegal, at Moville Celtic Clubhouse, to learn more about what Rivers Trusts are and to investigate, as a community, if forming a trust for the Bredagh River would be in the interests of the community – and the river! The meeting was jointly organised by the Celebrate Water and Moville Tidy Towns. Mark Horton, the Rivers Trust Development Officer for Northern Ireland and Manager Ballinderry Rivers Trust in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, was invited along as Guest Speaker to explain about the work of The Rivers Trust and Rivers Trusts across Great Britain and Ireland.
Over 35 people came along to hear the talks from all over Inishowen - Buncrana, Clonmany, Culdaff, Quigley's Point, Greencastle and many locals from Moville.
The talks were followed by a workshop designed to encourage thought and discussion around our Vision for the future of the Bredagh River and a Rivers Trust; and then to investigate further what needs to happen next and who needs to be involved.
We have come a long way since then, with many more adventures to come. Thanks to our funders, our volunteers and donors and to everyone who has contributed to Inishowen Rivers Trust in any way. Have a look at the video to see what we have been up to this last 10 years
SuDS Workshop Scoil Mhuire Tuesday 27th February 2024
SuDS workshop given at Scoil Mhuire, Feb 2024.
Mill River Conservation Group and Inishowen Rivers Trust building a river revetment.
A short time lapse video of a river revetment being made at the Mill River, with the Mill River Conservation Group and Inishowen Rivers Trust.
Our Natural Heritage and Sustainable Future- An Introduction to the Sligo Bay Catchment Rivers Trust
A beautiful video of the rivers, lakes and waterbodies of the Sligo Bay Catchment and the work being done to protect it by the Sligo Bay Catchment Rivers Trust.
The video has ariel footage of a number of rivers in Sligo, Lough Gill and the coast around Strandhill. The importance of River Trusts to support and protect the natural heritage of Sligo.
Sligo Bay Catchment Rivers Trust Introduction
A short introduction to the Sligo Bay Catchment Rivers Trust and the beautiful rivers, lakes, and waterbodies in Co. Sligo and Co. Leitrim that they are striving to protect.
CRiBZ Culdaff Riparian Buffer Zone Scheme 2022
Promoting biodiversity and protecting water on the Culdaff River, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Installing buffer zones along the riverbanks, planting trees, installing pumps and troughs and helping pollinators with beehives and wildflowers.
The Culdaff Riparian Buffer Zone (CRiBZ) Scheme is an EIP (European Innovation Partnership) project being administered by the Inishowen Rivers Trust. The Project is funded by the EU Recovery Instrument Funding under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2022.
River Safety Training with the Inishowen Rivers Trust
Volunteer River Safety Training - How to prepare for working near water and what to do if something goes wrong. This video has been produced by the Inishowen Rivers Trust for volunteers who are monitoring and sampling on the rivers in Inishowen. Preparation is the key to avoiding incidents. This video provides advice on the right type of PPE to wear, how to get ready, who to notify and basic health and safety. If something does go wrong this video shows you rescue techniques.
Filmed as part of the Inishowen River Guardians Training Programme 2021 and filmed by Simon Barr, Liquid Media. Many thanks to Ronan Lenihan from Mountain Training Ireland. This video is not intended as a replacement for full and certified training and is supplied as a brief overview of aspects to consider. The training shown in the video is Rescue 3 International - Safe Working in Water.
Funded by Rethink Ireland under their Innovate Together Award 2020, supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund, and corporate partners including the Z Zurich Foundation, Oakfield Trust, Medtronic and Twitter.
What is Natural Flood Management? A short explainer
A short video explaining what natural flood management is and illustrating the types of measures that are used with this technique. This video uses a combination of drone footage and illustrations to demonstrate how these measures work to alleviate flood waters.
Created as part of the Inishowen Rivers Trust's project 'On the Ground: Pilot NWRM Scheme in Inishowen', using actual footage and photographs from the project.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Long Glen River Project – Kinnagoe Bay
The Long Glen River rises in the peatlands above Kinnagoe Bay in North Donegal before it winds it way down through a steep sided valley bordered in ancient hazel woodland before it enters the sea at Kinnagoe Bay. The area is known as Meenletterbale and has a rich and fascinating history from pre-Christian settlements to the sinking of the Spainish Armada vessel La Trinidad Valencera in 1588 and the ways in which the local used the productive hazel woodland.
This video was created by the residents of Kinnagoe Bay and Meenletterbale in Co. Donegal, Ireland to raise awareness of the wonderful natural and built heritage in the area. The project has been kindly funded by the Local Authority Waters Programme and supported by the Inishowen Rivers Trust.
Music: "Where the Heart is" by Alsever Lake
Licensed by Soundstripe
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Night of the Big Flood – Inishowen – 22nd Aug 2017
A collection of interviews with members of the community in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal which was badly flooded on the night of 22nd August 2017. Hear stories of how the flood directly impacted on local people that night, their fears as the flood waters rose and the devastating impact on homes, farms and community facilities. Since then the community has bounced back and has innovated with a natural flood management project managed by the Inishowen Rivers Trust and installed on the rivers of Clonmany in 2021. This is one of the first community driven NFM projects in Ireland.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Get Involved – On the Ground – NFM Clonmany 2021
Get involved in the Natural Flood Management project in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. This project is being delivered by the Inishowen Rivers Trust in collaboration with the local community and agencies. Everyone can help to learn how we can help to alleviate the flooding issues in Clonmany and reduce the impact of flooding for the village. Contact the Project Co-ordinators to find out more.
Filmed on location by Macruarí Audio & Film Services with original music by Ella McGrory.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
On the Ground – Natural Flood Management – Inishowen
Delivering a natural flood management project to the Clonmany catchment in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Meet Mark Davenport and Philip Duffy, McCloy Consulting, as they look at different areas of the catchment on this project brought to the area by Inishowen Rivers Trust. Filmed by Macruarí Audio & Film Services on location in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal, including original music by Ella McGrory.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Building Leaky Dams in Inishowen, Co. Donegal
A short clip from the Inishowen Rivers Trust project 'On the Ground' showing the construction of a leaky dam in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Works contractor and forester on the project, Ross Buchanan, explains the construction process and how leaky dams work.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Woody Material in Rivers
Woody material is a vital component of healthy rivers. Listen to Gareth Pedley from the Wild Trout Trust as he explains how wood and tree trunks that rest in the river provide habitat and food for fish and invertebrates as well as bank protection. The material also helps regulate sediment transport.
Large woody material can be fixed in place so there is little risk of it washing away in a flood and trees can be hinged into place, a technique often used by organisations like the Wild Trout Trust. Trees planted along a riverbank also provide shade for fish in hot conditions when water temperatures can get dangerously high for fish.
Water Chemistry in Rivers 5: Nitrates and Phosphates
Join LAWPRO catchment scientist Aisling Reilly and Inishowen Rivers Trust Project Officer Trish Murphy as they discuss different aspects of water chemistry on the rivers of Inishowen. In this fifth installment we revisit nitrates and phosphates but this time in a slow moving river beside pasture.
Funded by Rethink Ireland.
Water Chemistry in Rivers 4: Nitrates & Phosphates
Join LAWPRO catchment scientist Aisling Reilly and Inishowen Rivers Trust Project Officer Trish Murphy as they discuss different aspects of water chemistry on the rivers of Inishowen. In this fourth installment we look at a river with a sewage discharge and test for nitrates and phosphates using field test kits.
Funded by Rethink Ireland.
Water Chemistry in Rivers 3: pH and Conductivity
Join LAWPRO catchment scientist Aisling Reilly and Inishowen Rivers Trust Project Officer Trish Murphy as they discuss different aspects of water chemistry on the rivers of Inishowen. In this third installment we look at pH and why it might fluctuate in a river and what conductivity can tell us.
Funded by Rethink Ireland.
Water Chemistry in Rivers 2: Sedimentation
Join LAWPRO catchment scientist Aisling Reilly and Inishowen Rivers Trust Project Officer Trish Murphy as they discuss different aspects of water chemistry on the rivers of Inishowen. In this second installment we discuss sediment, how it gets into rivers and how it impacts on water quality.
Funded by Rethink Ireland.
Water Chemistry in Rivers 1: Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen
Join LAWPRO catchment scientist Aisling Reilly and Inishowen Rivers Trust Project Officer Trish Murphy as they discuss different aspects of water chemistry on the rivers of Inishowen. In this first installment we measure dissolved oxygen and temperature in an Inishowen river and discuss the significance of the results.
Funded by Rethink Ireland.
Silt trap for woodlands
Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Féidhlim visits a recently felled plantation that has been replanted with native woodland. Local forester Ross Buchanan chats to Féidhlim and describes how a pond was installed to trap silt from the old plantation and run off from the fields nearby.
Leaky Dams Clonmany, Inishowen
Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Féidhlim visits the Inishowen Rivers Trust natural flood management project in Clonmany to see the newly installed leaky dams. These dams aim to slow the flow of water through the Ballyhallan River catchment and form part of a network of dams on streams and drains. Féidhlim explains how the dams work.
(Domestic) Constructed Wetlands System in Inishowen
Wetlands expert Feidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Feidlhim visits a constructed wetland system for a single domestic house and explains how the system works.
Ponds for Biodiversity
Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Féidhlim visits a farm in Tremone, along the north coast of Inishowen where several ponds have been installed to provide for biodiversity and trap silt. Féidhlim explains how to site and maintain the pond and what plants work well around the pond edge.
Nature Based Solutions on Farm Drains
Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Féidhlim visits Breslin's farm in Redcastle and gives us a quick demo on how to improve a drainage channel to capture more silt and benefit biodiversity while still allowing the drain to function effectively.
Donagh River Walk, Carndonagh
A short video highlighting this special area along the Donagh River in the town of Carndonagh, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Filmed as part of the ECO Carn project to promote awareness of biodiversity and prepare a Biodiversity Action Plan for Carndonagh. A community driven project funded by the Community Foundation for Ireland. Narrated by Aengus Kennedy. Footage by Ed @ Northern Lights.
Nature Based Solutions on an Inishowen Farm
Wetlands expert Féidhlim Harty (FH Wetlands Ltd) visits Inishowen, Co. Donegal to advise on nature based solutions for farms, ponds and forests. In this video Féidhlim visits Breslin's farm in Redcastle to look at a farm pond and it's use for trapping silt. He also looks at a green barn initiative and discusses multi species swards.
Inishowen Rivers Trust – Willow Spiling
Listen to Lawrence McMinn (Ness Green Engineering) and Brendan Farren (Big Green Art) as they discuss how to use willow weaving to protect a river bank from erosion. Watch the full process from site choice, to choosing willow and how to install the spiling fence.
TREE WEEK IN INISHOWEN 2021
Join ECO Carn members and friends as we celebrate Tree Week 2021 and look at some of the ways we engage with trees and the benefits they provide for our world. Introduced by Aengus Kennedy and featuring the expert knowledge of local forester Ross Buchanan and community members who have planted trees across Inishowen, Co. Donegal. ECO Carn is kindly funded by the Community Foundation for Ireland.
How to take a compass bearing
Listen to mountain leader Bren Whelan as he explains how to take a bearing using a compass and map. Filmed during an Inishowen River Guardians course held in the Slieve Sneacht and Mintiaghs area of Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Supported by the Community Water Development Fund (LAWPRO).
Nature Based Solutions for Flood Management in Clonmany
Presentation by Prof. Mary Bourke, Trinity College Dublin at a community event organised by the Inishowen Rivers Trust discussing flood management using nature based interventions on the streams and rivers of Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. 23 July 2020.
Original scoping project funded by OPW.
What to wear when you attend a brash collection event
Part 5 in a series of short vides explaining What is Brash?, why we gather it and its benefits to river restoration.
This video details what to wear when attending a brash collection event.
How to make a brash bundle
Part 4 in a series of short vides explaining What is Brash?, why we gather it and its benefits to river restoration.
This video details how to make brash bundles which will be used in river revetments.
What effect can a brash revetment have on the river?
Part 3 in a series of short vides explaining What is Brash?, why we gather it and its benefits to river restoration.
This video details the benefits of installing a river revetment.
What is a River Revetment?
Part 2 in a series of short vides explaining What is Brash?, why we gather it and its benefits to river restoration.
This video explains what a river revetment is.
What is Brash
Part 1 in a series of short vides explaining What is Brash?, why we gather it and its benefits to river restoration.
Interviews with Clonmany community members on August 22 2017 Floods in Inishowen
A collection of interviews with members of the community in Clonmany, Inishowen, Co. Donegal which was badly flooded on the night of 22nd August 2017. Hear stories of how the flood directly impacted on local people that night, their fears as the flood waters rose and the devastating impact on homes, farms and community facilities. Since then the community has bounced back and has innovated with a natural flood management project managed by the Inishowen Rivers Trust and installed on the rivers of Clonmany in 2021. This is one of the first community driven NFM projects in Ireland.
This project was funded through the EU LEADER Programme 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas with additional support from the OPW, LAWPRO and Donegal County Council.
Winter Water Workshop 3 – Surface Water Quality
The Inishowen River Trust invites you to the third of our Winter Water Workshops where we will hear from Water Chemist Lisa Cronin from Sligo Bay Catchment Rivers Trust on how we can understand water quality data to protect and improve our local water bodies.
The presentation will look at statutory water quality monitoring programs and how we can access this data, as well as water microbiology.
Lisa is a lecturer in water and wastewater science at ATU Sligo and lectures across several programs in the Dept. of Environmental Science and the Dept. of Civil Engineering & Construction. Prior to joining the ATU in 2018, she spent 20 years working in the water services sector in Ireland and has particular expertise in the area of catchment management and drinking water safety planning, water supply monitoring in both public supplies and group water schemes and the development and implementation of potable water monitoring programs. She is currently researching the impact of extreme weather events on river water quality in a catchment in the west of Ireland using novel techniques and sensors that monitor water quality continuously.
Winter Water Workshop 2 Rivers of Knowledge
Empowering communities through Citizen Science
The Inishowen Rivers Trust invite you to the second of our Winter Water Workshops. We welcome Carol Quish from the Maigue Rivers Trust who will present on the findings of their citizen science project on water quality.
Inishowen River Guardian’s Training Project
This is the final report for the Inishowen River Guardian's Project
Riparian Rights and Responsibilities Paul McMahon
A presentation by Paul McMahon on Riparian rights and responsibilities.
Nature Based Solutions for Flood Reduction
This is a presentation on Nature Based Solutions for Flood Reduction
What is Brash and how it is used in river restoration.
This video explains how to make brash bundles, why we gather them and the positive effect it has on the river.
Riverview Newsletter Issue 8 April 2024
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities April 2024
Riverview Newsletter Issue 7 Dec 2023
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities Dec 2023
Riverview Newsletter Issue 6 May 2023
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities May 2023
Riverview Newsletter Issue 5 Dec 2022
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities Dec 2022
Riverview Newsletter Issue 4 April 2022
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities April 2022
Riverview Newsletter Issue 3 Dec 2021
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities Dec 2021
Riverview Newsletter Issue 2 May 2021
A roundup of Inishowen Rivers Trust's activities May 2021
The Governance Code Introduction.
The Charities Governance Code explains the minimum standards you should meet to effectively manage and control your charity.
Good governance involves putting in place systems and processes to ensure that your charity achieves its charitable objectives with integrity and is managed in an effective, efficient, accountable and transparent way.
We have FAQ's on the Charities Governance code to help you with questions you may have. You may also find our training videos helpful.
Ten steps to reporting on compliance Read the Cde in full.
The Charities Governance Code explains the minimum standards you should meet to effectively manage and control your charity.
Training Agenda: November 8, 2024
Evening session covering governance, finances, and handbook creation.