Lough Gur Environmental Management Study February 2009

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74 There are no accurate figures for visitors to Lough Gur, but Shannon Development recorded 2,843 visitors attending the Visitor Centre in 2006. Although a considerably greater number than this would have visited the lake (and not the Visitor Centre) during the same period, it is nevertheless a modest number when compared to other similar visitor attractions in the Shannon Region - e.g. Knappogue Castle 8,039 visitors and Holy Island (Lough Derg) 5,000 visitors (see also Section 2.3). The BSM Study identified that visitors to Lough Gur tend to be either ‘Local’, ‘Tourist’ or ‘Specialist’. The Local Visitors are mostly from the Limerick area and are primarily seeking an enjoyable ‘day-out’ with family and friends. They often make repeat visits, usually for half-day duration and at weekends/public holidays and are mostly attracted to the Knockadoon lake shore due to ease of parking and available facilities (toilets, picnic tables, litter bins). Activities generally comprise ‘enjoying the view’ (often from within the car, especially for elderly visitors), picnicking, swimming, and strolling around the lake. The archaeological resources are unlikely to be a major attraction after the first visit and similarly the Local Visitors are unlikely to make repeat trips to the Visitor Centre (as reflected by the relatively low attendance figures). Tourist Visitors are from outside the Limerick area and usually from overseas, visiting Lough Gur through prior knowledge or as part of a pre-arranged itinerary (e.g. as organised by Ballyhoura Fáilte). Their stay is often shorter than for local recreation visitors, due either to the demands of the itinerary or the need to move onto overnight accommodation that may be some distance away. For such visitors, the facilities of the Visitor Centre are limited and there is no comprehensive interpretation of the archaeological and natural attractions to enhance the quality of the visit or encourage a prolonged stay. Specialist visitors comprise a number of different types, such as archaeologists/historians, ornithologists, geologists and nature scientists, school/college parties and nature study groups. The natural and archaeological resources are the primary purpose for the visit. Duration of stay tends to vary from ½-1 day, with extended and often repeat visits for particular specialist groups such as ornithologists. Although such specialist groups tend to be more self-contained and less demanding of facilities than other visitors, the available research and interpretation material is lacking and there is no provision for a study centre or overnight accommodation. As special interest visitors are concerned with specific aspects of archaeology/history they tend to be more tolerant of problems caused by difficult access but likely to be less tolerant of ‘overexploitation’ and popularisation of the archaeological and scenic resource. Given the potential conflict of interests between the user groups and their requirements for different facilities, it is apparent that Lough Gur presently has neither the capacity nor environmental resilience to cater for the requirements of all visitors. Consequently, the BSM study recommended that Lough Gur should be developed as a ‘Heritage Area’, with the main emphasis on conservation, interpretation and enjoyment of its unique resources, as opposed to the creation of a ‘Country Park’ catering primarily to active and passive recreation for local visitors. Lough Gur Environmental Management Study
8.3 Main Visitor Facilities The main visitor area is located at the north-eastern end of the lake, at one of the most scenic areas and with direct access to both the lake shore and the adjoining hills and monuments of Knockadoon and Knockfennell. There is adequate parking opposite the Red Cellar Bar (approx. 155 spaces), with defined bays that extend partly along the lake shore and a toilet block served by a septic tank. The Lough Gur Visitor Centre is housed in this area in a thatched replica of a Neolithic dwelling. The centre tells the story of Pre-Celtic Ireland dating back to 3000 BC. The interpretation includes a slide show, exhibition models and interpretative panels. Artefacts on display include: • Artefacts from a small farmstead which was built on this natural platform about 900 AD. • Replicas of Stone Age Pottery and other artefacts depicting the life-styles of the first inhabitants of the area. • Replica of the Bronze Age Lough Gur Shield now on exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland. • Replicas of the Chalice and Paten of the Countess of Bath. • Historical information There are nine information panels. Two of the panels are mounted on the side of the display cases and give information on archaeological research in Lough Gur. A further 6 panels give information on the geology, botany and zoology of the area and on Celtic Festivals and Lough Gur Folklore. The final panel deals with the social history of Lough Gur including famous local emigrants such as the parents of ‘Honey’ Fitzgerald (Rose Kennedy’s father), Boss Croker and his influence on New York politics and Standish O’Grady, a barrister at the trial of Wolfe Tone. Red Cellar Bar Main car park Main Visitor Area from the east Bourchier’s Castle Knockadoon Parking bays Visitor Centre Lough Gur Environmental Management Study 75
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Lough Gur Environmental Management
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Contents 1. Introduction 1.1 The Ma
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Section 1 Introduction 1.1 The Mana
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1.3 Locational Context Lough Gur is
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6 Given the limited area of accessi
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8 Shannon Region Visitor Attraction
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10 The Ballyhoura Attractions Clust
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12 SACs are administered by the Nat
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14 Clara Bog Clonmacnoise Outstandi
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16 The Inscription Process The nomi
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Section 3 Landscape Appraisal 3.1 L
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There are numerous rock outcrops an
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3.2 Visual Characteristics The visu
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Lough Gur E nvironmental Management
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24 The Planning Authority will exer
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26 The Architectural Conservation A
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28 One-Off Rural Houses - Permissio
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30 It will be essential that all ne
Page 45 and 46: Section 5 Archaeology 5.1 Backgroun
Page 47 and 48: Location of known Archaeological Si
Page 49 and 50: View from the summit of Carraig Ail
Page 51 and 52: Bourchier’s Castle Castle Farm an
Page 53 and 54: Sites of known Archaeological or Hi
Page 55 and 56: Sites in County Council Ownership i
Page 57: Lough Gur E nvironmental Management
Page 60 and 61: 44 6.2 Ecology (Flora and Fauna) Su
Page 62 and 63: 46 Gearóid Island showing a transi
Page 64 and 65: 48 Wet willow-alder-ash woodland th
Page 66 and 67: 50 An open pool of water grades int
Page 68 and 69: 52 Habitat Map 2 Lough Gur Environm
Page 70 and 71: 54 and G. Hunt, personal communicat
Page 72 and 73: 56 enacted 1983) was instigated to
Page 74 and 75: 58 6.10 Recommendations The followi
Page 76 and 77: 60 Sensitive Habitats and Proposed
Page 79 and 80: Section 7 Water Quality 7.1 Existin
Page 81 and 82: Assessment of Results The organic l
Page 83 and 84: Bedrock map of Lough Gur catchment
Page 85 and 86: OR • A treatment system other tha
Page 87 and 88: It should be pointed out that of th
Page 89 and 90: The average concentration of total
Page 96 and 97: 76 Lough Gur Visitor Centre Althoug
Page 98 and 99: 78 The Lough Gur & District Histori
Page 100 and 101: 80 8.6 Recommendations The more arc
Page 103 and 104: Section 9 Management Framework Over
Page 105 and 106: In this context it is proposed to e
Page 107 and 108: At the regional level, Lough Gur, t
Page 109 and 110: Although there is a presumption aga
Page 111 and 112: 9.7.5 Securing of management agreem
Page 113 and 114: 9.8.11 Assess the likely bat fauna
Page 115 and 116: Actions 9.10.1 To work with Shannon
Page 120 and 121: 96 10.2 Current Projects Trail 1: T
Page 122 and 123: 98 Phase 2 Projects Phase 2 compris
Page 124 and 125: 100 The lakeside parking consisted
Page 126 and 127: 102 10.3 Signage and Interpretation
Page 128 and 129: 104 Directional Signage Regulatory
Page 130 and 131: 10.7 Future Projects The following
Page 132 and 133: Trail 4: Southern Shore and 4a: Kno
Page 134 and 135: Main Activity Areas Three ‘Activi
Page 136 and 137: 112 Activity Area 2: Concept Propos
Page 138 and 139: 114 Activity Area 3 is located at G
Page 141 and 142: Section 11: Summary of Strategy Act
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Section 11: Summary of Strategy Act
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Lough Gur E nvironmental Management
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Lough Gur Environmental Management Study February 2009

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