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28th February 2017 • Volume 24, Issue 06 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Swords’ Hidden Gem
A lake, which has remained largely undiscovered within the Ward River Valley estate, is set to become arguably the most significant coarse fishery in the North County. This hidden gem, known locally as Usher’s Lake is located deep within the wooded area of the estate, adjacent to Swords Manor and Knocksedan estates.
By Patrick Finnegan The lake and surrounding area is now in the ownership of the County Council and it is destined to play a major role in the local authority’s plans for the development of Ward River Valley. Some locals will have known about the existence of the lake, without realising its huge potential. Local councillor, Duncan Smith was hugely impressed by the potential of the lake as a fishery and also by the vast range of wildlife present. He set about gauging local interest in exploiting the lake to its full potential and he organised a public meeting to set up a fishing group to develop Usher’s Lake as a coarse fishery. The meeting will take place at Applewood Community Centre, Swords on Wednesday, 1st March at 7.30pm and he is expecting a large turnout of interested people.
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Smith said that there were discussions about a year ago concerning the opportunity we had here at this lake, once for coarse fishing. “There’s nothing anywhere in North County Dublin, or South Dublin for that matter, that has the potential that this lake provides for people to engage in fishing for perch, roach, carp and other coarse fishing, while at the same time enjoying some of the most wonderful natural environment teeming with wildlife. “We have an opportunity here, as the Council develop the park, if we can get our angling initiative up and running, with as many people from Swords and the surrounding areas as possible who are interested, not only in fishing, but in the ecology of the area, keeping it clean and developing it as a safe place for fishing.” “Once it is up and running, we will have a place for people from Swords to come and have a good fishery; the like of which is not available elsewhere in Dublin.” Smith confirmed that the County Council, who are now in ownership of the lake, are in tacit agreement and they are open to the idea, and while they will be looking for something to do with the lake, we intend to offer them a group of committed local people who will invest their time and energy into developing and maintaining this and keeping the area around it clean, safe and accessible for the enjoyment of all,” he said. Resident and fishing enthusiast, Eric Croly from Jugback in Swords said, “As well as great fishery, there is also a wonderful diversity of wildlife, with mink, otters and owls.
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This is all about bringing locals and particularly the kids to the area and opening up a completely new and exciting dimension to their lives. I remember in Clondalkin, the Council developed Corcagh Park there and it became a great amenity for the children. A local Garda told me that in the eight years since it’s opening, it saved 20 kids from going down the wrong road. If this can have the same effect here, it will be all well worthwhile,” he said. Another local resident and angling enthusiast, Derek Evans who is also the Angling Correspondent for the Irish Times is very excited about the opportunity presented by the opening up of Usher’s Lake. He told the County Leader, “This has the potential to be a serious fishery and just a mile away, we have the Broadmeadow Angling Club, strictly for game fishing. However, a lot of the young people prefer coarse fishing, like roach, perch, tench, bream and the like. The Fisheries Board have agreed that if everything is right, that they will be prepared to stock it, but it would be great if there were proper angling stands and facilities, where people could begin on the journey of fishing. Des Chew, Assistant
Kenny Disarms The Rebel Backbenchers Local Fine Gael TD, Alan Farrell created quite a stir last week when he became the first TD from Fine Gael to officially declare Enda Kenny’s position as party leader to be “untenable”. The Taoiseach’s standing has been called into question regarding the government’s handling of the Maurice McCabe whistleblower controversy. While the taoiseach himself has resisted putting a timeline on his own departure, he has disarmed his backbenchers that threatened he must do so or face a motion of no confidence in his leadership. This is when Farrell went on national TV to point up his disapproval of Kenny: “Unfortunately,
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Pictured at Usher's Lake, the hidden gem of Swords are angling enthusiasts, Eric Croly, Nicky Kelly, Derek Evan and Cllr Duncan Smith, with young Jamie Ferguson (13) as he prepares to cast his line
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I no longer have confidence in the ability of Enda Kenny TD to lead Fine Gael and I believe his Alan Farrell TD position is now untenable.” The County Leader asked Farrell, in the aftermath of Kenny deciding on his future after St Patrick’s Day, if he was comfortable with Kenny’s apparent playing for time. He did not seem to have the same eagerness to call for Kenny’s head, when he said, “I believe that Enda Kenny, TD, has sufficiently addressed questions regarding the leadership of Fine Gael at this time,” he concluded.
Inspector with Inland Fisheries Ireland was in contact with Cllr Smith a few weeks ago and he was impressed with what he saw. He said, “The lake is already a fishery with a resident population of coarse fish, mainly roach, perch, a small number of tench and an even smaller number of carp.” “I would be more than happy to support this project as it progresses and to provide any advice along the way. If this development gets off the ground, I would be happy to stock the lake to improve its angling potential. Also the lake could be incorporated into a patrol route. This would mean that fishery officers would have a presence from time to time. In my view, this reservoir has the potential to be developed into a very good fishery,” he concluded.