Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Mr. Seán Power T.D., today launched the Avoca website along with educational packs at Woodenbridge Hotel in the Vale of Avoca. The website and educational packs were developed as part of the Celtic Copper Heritage project which was funded under the EU’s INTERREG programme.
The project links the traditional mining areas of Avoca with Almwch in Wales and is managed by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board in collaboration with Wicklow County Council, the Geological Survey of Ireland, the Avoca Mining Heritage Trust and the Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland, Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust and the Environmental Agency in UK.
Minister Power said
“I am delighted to see such cooperation across a wide number of bodies producing such beneficial initiatives as walkways around the Avoca area as well as the information presented on the website. I hope that this will attract more people to come and enjoy the area of Avoca and all that it has to offer.”
The INTERREG project also investigated the treatment of mine waters entering into the Avoca River from the now closed mines in the area. This involved the installation of a pilot water treatment facility which demonstrated that the water issuing from the adits studied could be successfully treated. The results of the pilot treatment study are being incorporated into a broader study which is investigating the remediation and long term management of the site. There are a range of complex issues at the site which include safety, water contamination, unvegetated lands and heritage. This study is being undertaken by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
-ENDS-
For further information contact the Press Office at:
Tel: 01 6782441
Fax: 01 6782739
Email: press.office@dcenr.gov.ie
Líon-ionad agus Ábhar Bolscaireachta um Thionscadal INTERREG faoin Oidhreacht Copair Cheilteach Seolta ag an Aire de Paor
Abhóca, Co. Chill Mhantáin, 15ú Iúil 2008
Sheol an tAire Stáit ag an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha, Seán de Paor T.D., inniu líon-ionad Abhóca maraon le bearta oideachais ag Óstán Garrán an Ghabhlain i nGleann Abhóca. Cumadh an lion-ionad agus na bearta oideachais mar chuid den tionscadal um an Oidhreacht Copair Cheilteach atá á mhaoiniú faoi chlár INTERREG an Aontais Eorpaigh (AE).
Faoin tionscadal tá nasc idir na ceantair mianadóireachta dúchasacha Abhóca agus Almwch na Breataine Bige (Oileán Móna) agus tá Bord Iascaigh Réigiúnach an Oirthir i dteannta le Comhairle Contae Chill Mhantáin, suirbhéireacht Gheolaíochta Éireann, Iontaobhas Oidhreacht Mianadóireachta Chill Mhantáin, Iontaobhas Oidhreacht Mianadóireachta na hÉireann, Iontaobhas Oidhreachta Tionsclaí Almwch agus an Ghníomhaireacht Comhshaoil san Ríocht Aontaithe i mbun a bhainistíochta.
Arsa na tAire de Paor:
“Is cúis áthais dom a leithéid de chomhoibriú a fheiscint i measc a oiread eagras agus torthaí fiúntacha air ar nós rian coisithe mór-thimpeall ceantar Abhóca agus an t-eolas agus é léirithe chomh breá ar an líon-ionad. Tá súil agam go meallfaidh sé breis daoine chun teacht agus taitneamh a bhaint as ceantar Abhóca agus an uile ní atá le fáil ann.”
Faoin tionscadal INTERREG freisin imscrúdaíodh cóireáil ar an uisce mianaigh atá ag sileadh isteach in Abhainn Abhóca as na mianaigh dúnta sa cheantar. Chuige sin bunaíodh treoir-áis cóireála uisce a léirigh gur féidir an t-uisce a shileann ós na tollbhealaigh mhianaigh a chóireáil go rathúil. Bainfear leas as na torthaí ón treoir-staidéar cóireála san staidéar níos leithne atá ag imscrúdú leasú agus bainistíocht fhad-téarmach an tsuímh. Tá réimse ábhar casta ar an suíomh, ina measc, slándáil, éilliú uisce, tailte bán ón bhfásra agus an oidhreacht. Tá an staidéar idir lámha ag an Roinn Cumarsáide, Fuinnimh agus Acmhainní Nádúrtha.
CRÍOCH