Importance of Lough Neagh to be discussed at Cookstown event

AN EVENT will be held in Cookstown tomorrow to explain the importance of protecting Lough Neagh for everyone in the North.

Lough Neagh is the largest freshwater lake in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Measuring over 392 sq km, it contains enough water to fill 7 million swimming pools.

Lough Neagh supplies 40% of the North’s water supply.

In the summer of 2023, the lough experienced what has been described as an ecological crisis, in the form of a major blue green algae bloom.

Lough Neagh Partnership will be hosting a series of information evenings entitled ‘Connected Landscapes: How Your Local River Impacts Lough Neagh’ to help explain how what happens in the wider catchment can have an impact on the lough.

The first of these events will be held at 7pm on Wednesday, May 21, at the Ballinderry Rivers Trust’s base at Orritor Road in Cookstown.

The information evenings aim to explain why blue green algal blooms happen and explore how water treatment, litter, septic tank maintenance and the way we farm all have a part to play.

Speaking about the significance of this roadshow for local residents, Gerry Darby, Manager of Lough Neagh Partnership, said: “Lough Neagh is of great significance to everyone. Everything that happens in the wider catchment has an impact on the Lough and, at Lough Neagh Partnership, we believe we need to bring this conversation right into the heart of local communities throughout Northern Ireland.

“It is crucial that residents, landowners and local stakeholders understand that intensive farming, industry and poor wastewater treatment are currently contributing to poor water quality on the Lough.

“Water quality and environmental issues in Lough Neagh and its feeder rivers impact on all of us, and we want to hear from everyone who has a stake in this landscape as we consider how we can work together to bring about positive change and protect the Lough for future generations. So whether you’re a farmer, a fisherman, a walker, local resident or an individual with an interest in the Lough, we want you to attend one of our information evenings.”