Donegal river restoration part of €770,000 national fisheries fund

The Glen River in south Donegal is among 21 locations nationwide set to benefit from new funding announced this week to help restore and protect Ireland’s declining stocks of salmon and sea trout.

The river, which flows into the Teelin estuary near Sliabh Liag, is to see targeted habitat restoration works carried out as part of a €771,295 national scheme managed by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

The Glen River project has been allocated €41,000 and is one of a series of conservation and rehabilitation initiatives funded under IFI’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme, which this year supports work in 14 counties.

The aim of the scheme is to ensure that native salmon and sea trout survive and thrive in Irish rivers despite the many challenges they face in the wild.

“River habitat restoration measures on the Glen River will help sustain vulnerable salmon and sea trout stocks,” the agency said.

IFI said the Donegal works, like others approved across the country, aim to create more resilient habitats for juvenile and adult fish, including measures to improve spawning areas, restore degraded channels and enhance riparian zones.

Read more: Ardara Agricultural Show shaping up to be biggest ever

The River Drowes, which flows between Donegal and Leitrim, will benefit to the tune of €15,647 under the scheme for fencing to keep livestock away from its banks.

Announcing the grants, 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.

"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 at 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."

Read more: IFI inspectors seize illegal fishing net

Other funded works in 2025 include projects on the Dodder River in Dublin, the Clare River in Galway, and several tributaries of the Boyne, Barrow, and Blackwater systems in counties Meath, Offaly, and Cavan.

Funding under the scheme is drawn from the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences, fishing permits and commercial fishing licences, and is open to applications from angling clubs, fishery owners and community groups.

Since 2016, more than €8.9 million has been awarded through the scheme, which is now seen as a key national tool in tackling biodiversity loss in Irish rivers.