LANDSCAPE / 04
IRELAND’S WATERSCAPES,
A REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE FORUM 2018 THE LANDSCAPE OF KILLALOE
T
he title of the National Landscape Forum this year was ‘Ireland’s Waterscapes’, which facilitated presentations and discussions about our diverse waterscapes, from the peak of rain soaked mountains all the way down to rolling seas and more. The town of Killaloe-Ballina selected as the venue suggested the theme due to its location on Lough Derg, one of the lakes on the River Shannon, the longest river in the British Isles. The town straddles two counties, Clare and Tipperary, and has evidence of human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. There is evidence of human settlement and activity all along the River Shannon, and in the 1920s when Siemens constructed a hydroelectric power plant at Ardnacrusha, below KillaloeBallina, it a was the largest engineering project of its time. This led to considerable water changes in the river and lake, and today there are other challenges including climate change, flood relief schemes, transport infrastructure, changing agricultural practices and the proposed water extraction project to serve the needs of Dublin. This year’s forum marked yet another milestone in the LAI journey to link landscape and communities in a proactive engagement. The LAI team was led this year by Ruth which brought a fresh, lively enthusiasm, energy and openness to the tried and trusted forum formula. It augurs well for the future of this important people’s initiative now in its 23rd year. The photographic exhibition ‘Faces and Places of Lough Derg’ was opened ahead of the forum. The landscape photographic project based on old images of Ballina-
10
Ruth Minogue and Terry O’Regan share their thoughts on another successful National Landscape Forum
HORTICULTURECONNECTED / www.horticultureconnected.ie / Summer 2018
