'River Runner' Feature documentary on the River Lee, Ireland
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2018
- The story of the river Lee in Ireland has inspired many. The true story of the river Lee from the perspective of the Wild Atlantic Salmon remained untold until the official release of RIVER RUNNER in November 2014. The research for the film uncovered a multitude of secrets about this magical creature, once an integral exalted part of Irish culture and lore. Unfortunately, the tale is a sad reflection on how we an Atlantic Island folk, surrounded by fish have allowed our national treasures slip from grace. The good news as revealed in the film is that recovery is possible if we change our mindset and the ageing habits that continue to cause the destruction of our waterways, our ancient forests and their inhabitants. Globally more and more people are realising the harrowing results for humans caused by simply working against Mother Nature. RIVER RUNNER is a celebration of what we once had on the rivers in Ireland and it continues to influence and inspire viewers to think and act differently.
- Фільми й анімація
Well done Alan and Kevin. I believe that we need to bring more pressure to bear on the ESB in order to begin the process of regeneration. I’m up for it.
GREAT to see this freely available online after all the hard work put into the campaign over the last few years. Hopefully the film reaches even more people now.
thank you for posting this. I love the Gearagh and I would like to see it restored to its former glory.It's Important to West Cork's future
just came across this documentary now-absolutely fantastic and a vital document of the life of salmon on the Lee
Thank you for your kind words. The film has had a huge impact in terms of bringing about awareness. We still feel that far too many people are unaware of the magnificence of the wild Atlantic salmon and the problems that humans cause for these ancient creatures of the river and the ocean. The important work of educating folk, most especially the younger generation, remains our priority and is ongoing. Please do share the film with friends and family because every share helps the survival of the salmon. A proper functioning fish pass at Inniscarra Dam and Rewilding the Lee from Inniscarra to Toons Bridge would be a magnificent win for one and all. The Irish government is now discussing the plan of making the Gearagh a national park !? There is a lot of prime land underwater upstream beyond the Carrig an Droichead dam and with flooding catastrophes happening across the globe more regularly, engineering teams addressing flood protection, are being forced now to investigate the nature of rivers and their flood plains and the importance of trees as natural flood protectors. The dams on the river Lee are dysfunctional in terms of free fish passage up and down the river! Window dressing their uselessness is not good enough. We hope RIVER RUNNER has made this clear. BEIR BUA.
When I began to research the story of the hydroelectric dams (there are two Iniscarra and CarriganDroichead) back in 2012, it came as a surprise at how little information was available on the ecological damage these projects caused. The fact there was a major miscalculation, whereby the authorities clear felled a unique inland river forest, known locally as An Gaioradh (The Gearagh) and more or less destroyed the wild Atlantic salmon runs on southern Ireland's prolific salmon river, The Lee, was completely smothered or ashamedly forgotten. RIVER RUNNER screened to sell-out audiences at the Cork Film Festival in 2014. It went on around Ireland screening in clubs, cinemas, and schools. It spawned a public campaign that was written about, most especially in the local press and delivered 4,000 signatures to the Environmental Director of Europes office, pleading to reverse the damage and abide by the Fisheries Act of Ireland's ruling to 'allow free passage up and down our rivers for native wild fish'. The campaign went further and developed into www.sourcetosea.ie engaging locals and a whole array of contributing artists, composers, poets, rappers, musicians, singer-song writers, all highlighting this crime against Nature and pleading for a proper review and action in terms of conservation and full protection. The campaign and the film slowly began to bear fruit as the awareness of these stories grew and grew. The authorities responsible are finally acknowledging the need to turn their attention toward these precious gems of nature, our natural heritage and our ancient lore. We drive on relentlessly, independently, silently informing and educating younger generations. Sharing the film. Telling the story...the true story. We march on! Beir Bua.
Well done lads, great documentary, unfortunately it's the same old story everywhere now with pressure on stocks
Very informative and well put together. If enough support can be given then this would be so good for the region on all fronts.
Thank you for watching and for your comment of support. Every share of the film informs more people of the need to conserve and protect this river, the native fish that are clearly denied free passage and the river forest delta that deserves the highest level of protection.
This is an absolutely brilliant film on the threat to salmon on the River Lee. It is gut-wrenching, and an indictment of ESB policy over decades. It is high time they built fish ladders to help the fish get upstream on their run. A disgrace. Congratulations to Declan O'Mahony and friends on a truly inspiring documentary. Let's hope it changes things. It should. It must.
This film and the campaign highlighted on www.riverrunner.ie and the follow up projects which are still active , inform and educate people as to the ecological gem that sits submerged on our doorstep. Every step we take is one step closer to shifting the age old 'SWEEP IT UNDER THE CARPET ATTITUDE ' River Runner took the steel door of the state off its rusted hinges....Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts.
Great documentary guys! Heart breaking to see the remains of the Gearagh and even more heart breaking that there is nothing being done to lower the water levels and let the forest grow back. I live in New Zealand and I love nature. There is a chance that myself and my half irish family may end up in Cork in the near future. I would love to get involved in helping promote the restoration of the Gearagh should we end up there! Good luck.
Mark Harris Thank you kindly I manage an FB page PROTECT THE GEARAGH and the film and campaign which is documented on www.riverrunner.ie has exposed the dilemma to a wide audience . Only publicity and many voices creates the pressure to change ! Due to our efforts IRD DUTHALLOW have been tasked with initiating a project However they are north Cork based and are threading carefully slowly and with caution. This is a very sensitive subject as many descendant families still remember their parents farms and homes ! Maybe one day a committee will form and a dedicated centre of education will be initiated ! Spreading the word and the film and website is most helpful Kind regards Declan
That’s great to hear Declan! I will spread the word! Keep up the good work!
Great video but sad to see what has happened to what was a once a great salmon river. Hopefully this will have some influence in bringing about a change of attitude and to what are the real priorities
Thank you for your comment Stephen and for watching the film. Circulating this amongst family and friends is the best possible way to help bring about a different approach. The ESB are highly vigilant at present re flood protection measures on the Lee proving that if the will was there the dilemmas re the salmon and the Gearagh could easily be rectified. D.
What a fantastic documentary. It see's it from all angles. Top work 👏👏👏👏
Thank You Graeme ! If you keep an eye on www.declanomahony.com you will see that we are not finished with the Lee story. The next event launches from the site next Wednesday at 12 noon GMT. Project title The New Beginning !!
Superb documentary, Declan and Barry. Beautifully shot and very balanced. Well done.
Thank you kindly. This saga is not over. www.sourcetosea.ie will be updated this week with the current projects. See also the current issue of IRISH WOODLAND TRUST magazine as it highlights the ongoing Gearagh campaign.
impressive documentary.
Into The Wild Fly Fishing Guide Service Thank you. For further info please visit www.riverrunner.ie 👍🏽
The damage we as a species have done to our habitat and environment is staggering😢😢😢
Staggering it is and continues despite our efforts. Our authorities are perfect green washers and expert at ticking boxes and compiling surveys ! They are in unison with our food giants world class sellers of high quality food ! That our numbers of disappearing species continues to rise and that our fresh water rivers n lakes are in a sorry state of over nitrification due to farming practices … these hard facts are shadowed and ignored ! Silting and habitat loss are beyond critical …. We march on with those who get it ✊🏽D
amazing movie lads, wanted to watch it for over a year but couldnt find it online anywhere, everyone in ireland needs to see this and then you can guarantee that something would be done about it, also as im no longer living in Ireland is there any way i can see whats left of the gearagh woodland in any photos orr videos? im sure if people could see or imagine what that once looked like theyd be tearing down the walls of the ESB to do something about restoring it, and thanks for the upload
Hi Adam Thank you for your reply for more information and photos please follow us on FB TWITT INSTA through the following websites www. riverrunner.ie www.sourcetosea.ie
Protect the Gearagh has a host of photos and videos on FB
The mission of sourcetosea is to fight for clean water and free passage of migratory fish and the protection of our natural heritage
Every comment share helps the cause
Cheers
Declan
Fantastic film keep up the great work your efforts are admired.
Thank you Thomas ... reclaiming the Lee River beyond INNISCARRA DAM , decommissioning CARRIG AN DROICHEAD DAM , allowing the Lower Gearagh return to its natural state and engineering effective fish passsge on the Inniscarra Dam in this day and age where ESB are coining huge profits, is not too much to ask ... we march on and every share and comment brings the trophy one step closer !!! Cheers
@@MISTERMAHONY Everything you spoke about echoed my young life the years have caught up with me It all started for me on a small stream with a bamboo cane and some cat gut as we called it I still try to to swing a line across a river but the stream is gone it has been turned into a sewer and a convenient public drainRIP.
@@thomasoneill8422 When rumors come from the political arena one can only hold one's breath but we have no other arena to initiate change and the good news ,if one can believe it, is that the Gearagh is now on the agenda for delegation as a 'National Park' !! Once I have a definite from the powers that be I will be posting it. In 2012 when research began on this film the whole thing was a hidden secret and for most folk simply a stumpy waterway on the road to Inchigeelagh. We march on. Thank you.
brillaint documentary very informative
Thank you kindly. The Irish Woodland Trust magazine this month carries an updated article about the River Lee dilemmas. It's as close to the truth as you will get as it has been written by an independent activist! The article in its entirety will be posted soon on www.sourcetosea.ie which is currently being updated!!
@@MISTERMAHONY thats fantastic Declan il be sure to give it a read
Excellent documentary and very well put together
Pat Quinlan thanks Pat an absolute pleasure to meet you and appreciate your viewing of RR👍🏽
Likewise Declan, keep up the good work
Brilliant. Well done Declan and co.
Thank you Please note that the Gearagh is now being considered as a world heritage site and the salmon angling community are working towards the EU enforcements of obstacle removal in rivers and free passage for migratory fish ! This story is far from over 👍🏽
@@MISTERMAHONY Excellent to hear! Congrats on this.
I watch this and cry for the river I grew up beside, the Irish government have alot to answer for on river management, river destroyed by building
Thank you for watching and for commenting. Public awareness is crucial to change. The Carrig an Droichead Dam poses more questions than answers and has a massive negative impact on this part of the Lovely Lee. This story was kept secret for far too long and it most certainly is not over, especially as public interest grows stronger. Recommending the film to family and friends is the best way forward. Cheers.
that's some story you've told,its great to learn about the gearagh- even better to know it can be rescued,let's try to make it happen
The water levels are very low currently so a great time to walk through the central public pathway ! If you look towards Shehy you will observe the slow grow back !! Unhindered by man!! if you look towards CarriganDroichead , downstream you will observe the mis calculated chopped stumps and islets of forest delta ! This is flooded on an irregular basis by the ESB. The current reasons for this are unknown to me ! It used to be because it was considered UNSIGHTLY !! Since the 5 year long court case re the flooding of Cork City 2013 which involved ESB UCC and Insurance Companies the flood control plan has been changed !The fact is that anywhere else in the world this unique river feature would be a national treasure and preserved and protected for the most obvious of reasons ! Spreading the word and sharing the film helps to inform !!Thank you for reaching out 👍🏽D.
@@MISTERMAHONY i just sent eamonn ryan an e mail & a link to your film,let's see how interested he is.thanks for the tip re: visits,i 'll try to get there in the next few days
@@joe0472 great stuff !! Under the ARCHIVE link on www.declanomahony.com you can access a dedicated website to the film and the campaign www.riverrunner.ie This campaign led to a further project also under the same link which was a community awareness concept linking people from Gougaunne Barra to the mouth of Cork Harbour www.sourcetosea.ie The pandemic did not slow us down too much as we initiated Ireland’s first indigenous tree museum in Ballygrace near Churchtown North Cork !! Some of the people involved in this are now preparing a personal presentation to Pippa Hackett re BIODIVERSITY POLICIES and the inherent contradictions they present at present ! Farmers , scientists, doctors , legal professionals , business owners , fishermen ETCETC are pooling their information at the moment ! So the sword of the Gearagh and the fight for Salmo Salar is alive and well !! Thanks again for your efforts We are always willing to collaborate with those folk who affect policy👍🏽D
i really hope these imprortant stretches of river are being patroled by the inland fishery
Inland Fisheries officers in the Cork arera do the best they can. Whilst filming I spent many hours in many different parts of the 96 km stretch of the Lee and They do have a presence and not the most pleasant of jobs. The two salmon fishing clubs also patrol and keep a watchful eye. But the Lee is a broken river with dysfunctional fish lifts on both dams proving that, for the state supplier of electricity, fish are not yet viewed as a priority!
Much water has flowed down the Lee Valley since the RIVER RUNNER premiered in 2014. The SAVE THE LEE SOURCE TO SEA campaign and artistic community project is now online here www.sourcetosea.ie Please feel free to share this resource and do contact us for screenings and Q+As of RIVER RUNNER . The preservation and protection of our rivers is still critical.
Why o why don't the ESB listen! FOXYBOY
Eileen Corcoran Five major rivers in Ireland are hydro dammed ! The environmental commitment to protect our wild migratory fish is tepid and in fact contrary to the Fisheries Consolidation Act 1959 But we take our time and we are exceptional at box ticking to slip through the loopholes of EU laws .... ESB make money from selling electricity not from preserving natural heritage ... no brainer !
Beautiful documentary up until I see your solution is hatcheries, which I hope you now know is not the correct thing to do.
Thank you for the compliments on RIVER RUNNER. We do not wish to present hatcheries as the solution. We wish to highlight that the Borland Fishpass on the RiverLee Inniscarra and Carrig anDroichead Dams are Fish lifts on a 6 hourly timer. This is grossly inappropriate and widely misunderstood by those that have an interest in salmon and free passage. We have campaigned and highlighted this issue many times over. The responsible authorities ESB who used to run the hatchery back in the 1980's have scaled it all back to one employee and minimum input or interest in revisiting functioning fish pass systems. ESB are interested in selling electricity and as stated clearly in the film Hydro dams are one of the lethal thousand cuts that decimate salmon stocks globally. I hope this clarifies our intentions and wish to thank you again for watching and taking the time to comment. We appreciate every support as we continue to highlight the dilemmas on the river Lee.Kind regards.D.
@@MISTERMAHONY thank you for clarifying. Thankfully there are people like yourselves looking out for these mesmerizing creatures. We face many of the same challenges here in 🇨🇦. Luckily these creatures are very resilient and they will flourish again with our help. God bless and Godspeed.
Im familiar with the salmon issues in BC CANADA I followed the lengthy campaigns and court battles against the salmon farmers and it have great support to see how dogged a handfull of idealists could keep up the fight. We have a strong connection also to the wonderful people at bcwhales.org who do fantastic work for our whale friends 🥇🏅🙌
Instead of carbon tax we should be paying salmon tax fix the shannon and lee
50% of the salmon rod licence goes towards the salmon conservation fund. The principle of paying into a fund is established, but there is so much red tape to try and get anything done, its soul destroying.
Ruined the river just like the shannon
It was our hope that this portrayal of the TRUTH about the a ludicrous "fish lift" which is a timed, one way lift, operated by a multi national electricity business and impossible to monitor from the outside due to it's semi state status, would be a door opener for anglers, water keepers, environmental activists,NGO's .....RIVER RUNNER was screened all over Ireland. Hundreds of dvd's were purchased and are in circulation, copied and shared many times over. But sadly the awareness , understanding and will of the very few that "get it" , to date has been fruitless. The Lee is sadly a badly broken river. The damage to nature enormous. Yet our TOURISM TRADE sell the Wild Atlantic Emerald Isle to the world....beggars belief !!!!
Shame on ESB.
Thank you for commenting. Recently a number of articles were published in the Irish Times outlining the demise of the wild Atlantic Salmon and the sorry declining state of our waterways in Éire. Collectively we need to keep informing people that salmon are an indicator species and their demise is a clear call on us to change our negative impact on water, soil and air ! Young people today are taking note and actively working to reverse the damage they inherited … every single person counts ✊🏽🌳🐟D.