Castleconnell River Association CLG

Castleconnell River Association (CRA) is a community‑driven environmental charity founded in 2007 by local anglers who recognised the long‑term decline of salmon and trout in the lower River Shannon. Based in the Castleconnell area, the association works to protect and restore the river’s health through hands‑on rehabilitation, invasive‑species control and advocacy for water‑quality and fish‑migration issues.

The group’s core activities include maintaining and improving salmonid spawning and nursery streams, eradicating invasive plants such as giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed, and delivering education programmes that raise awareness of river‑catchment challenges in schools and the wider public. Through a partnership with the ESB and Inland Fisheries Ireland, all proposed works are coordinated with the Lower Shannon Special Area of Conservation and approved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, ensuring that volunteer‑led projects meet national conservation standards.

CRA serves anglers, local residents, schools and any stakeholder who values a thriving, biodiverse river ecosystem, offering a practical platform for community involvement and lasting environmental stewardship.