News and Updates
A snapshot of what’s happening at the Boyne Rivers Trust
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Keep reading below for an update on our work lately.
Boyne Catchment Community Forum Membership
Boyne Rivers Trust is delighted to be a member of the pilot Boyne Catchment Community Forum (CCF). This forum, convened by LAWPRO, is a collaboration of individuals, community groups, and stakeholders, with the aim to enhance public participation in water governance. The Boyne CCF is one of five pilot catchment fora across Ireland.
The inaugural meeting was held in November, in which the forum elected its Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, and discussed areas of key focus in 2026, including the impact of urban and rural wastewater discharge, public awareness about water quality, and developing greater collaboration across the catchment.
For more detail, visit the LAWPRO website: https://lawaters.ie/new-community-water-quality-forum-launched-in-the-boyne-catchment/
Our New Tree Nursery at Townley Hall
We’re delighted to have installed our second Tree Nursery as part of our Floodplain Woodlands Restoration project, aiming to restore the native woodlands of the Boyne River Catchment.
To date we have hand-collected and propagated thousands of local tree seeds. The seeds have been potted up and cared for, and are now growing in our dedicated Tree Nurseries in Athboy, and more recently Townley Hall. Work will continue in both Tree Nursery sites in 2026, propagating seed, transplanting saplings, and caring for this precious stock of native trees, which will eventually be planted out along the Boyne Catchment.
Volunteer Seed Collection Day
National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) kindly accommodated Boyne Rivers Trust to hold a Community Seed Collection Day at Brú na Bóinne National Park in September. The BRT team and a group of energetic volunteers collected native seeds for propagation in our tree nurseries as part of the Boyne Floodplain Woodlands Project.
Thanks so much to our wonderful volunteers, who helped us collect seeds of alder, oak, hawthorn and ash. Every seed collected, propagated and tree planted is a step closer to a healthier and more resilient river landscape.
River Clady Ecological Survey
An ecological survey of the River Clady was undertaken in collaboration with IDEC to assess the ecological condition of the river and identify potential pressures and threats to the river and surrounding habitat. The Clady River is a tributary of the Boyne River, rising in Bohermeen and joining the Boyne near Bective in County Meath.
The Clady has been assigned an ecological status of Poor, and is at risk of not meeting the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive. Some of the main issues identified in the study were invasive plant species, bank erosion by cattle, litter (e.g. footballs), greywater discharge, and hydromorphological changes to the river.
This study, which was funded by LAWPRO, will help direct our work in 2026 to reduce the pressures on the River Clady.
Himalayan Balsam Awareness
Himalayan Balsam is an invasive species in Ireland. It is listed in the First Schedule of The European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024, evoking a national and European obligation to manage this species. Himalayan Balsam spreads very quickly, due to vigorous growth and high numbers of seeds which can be transported by water, wind, machinery and people. The negative impacts of Himalayan Balsam include, outcompeting native species, bank erosion, increased risk of flooding, eutrophication.
Himalayan Balsam Scoping Study
With funding from Inland Fisheries Ireland, BRT undertook a Scoping Study focused on the River Mattock, a tributary of the Boyne with significant presence of Himalayan Balsam. This study will inform plans to remove and control the growth of this invasive species in the Boyne Catchment.
Invasive Species Awareness Event
In November, Boyne Rivers Trust hosted an Invasive Species Awareness event in the grounds of Oldbridge House to learn about the impact of Himalayan Balsam and other invasive species on the River Boyne Catchment. During our walk along the Boyne, with a focus on Himalayan Balsam, participants learned how to identify the various invasive plants, how they affect our ecosystems and measures to remove them and protect our environment. This was followed by an engaging discussion, and the event was kindly funded by Meath County Council Community Biodiversity Action Plan Small Grants Scheme.
Water-friendly Farming Project
In 2025, we launched our water-friendly farming project, the ‘Boyne Water Protection Project’, providing non-regulatory water-friendly farming advice to farmers and landowners in the Boyne catchment. The project is in collaboration with and funded by The Rivers Trust Ireland. The project aims to support farmers to reduce the levels of nutrients and sediment entering waterways from agriculture in the Boyne River catchment.
Our Farm Advisor has been visiting farmers around the catchment over the past few months. Each participating farmer will receive a bespoke farm plan, highlighting key measures to protect and improve water quality on their farm. Thanks to all the farmers who have welcomed us onto their farms.
Here are a few photos from our farm visits so far:
Farm overlooking Lough Ramor, County Cavan.
Caddis Fly larvae - a Positive Indicator Species for water quality.
River restored for salmon spawning.
Excessive growth of algae on water due to high nutrient input - a Negative Indicator Species for water quality.
Watercourse fencing, preventing livestock from accessing the river.
Solar powered pump, supplying water to a drinking trough from a nearby river.
An unfenced river with livestock access, as well as algae showing eutrophication (high nutrient input and oxygen depletion).
Our Farm Advisor, Sarah, surveying a farm.
Sarah Austin, our new Farm Advisor and Project Support Officer.
A discussion group on a farm walk.
Strategic Planning and Fundraising
In 2025, we updated and expanded our Strategic Plan, now in its final review phase, to ensure we have a clear, guiding document to direct the work of the trust. It follows our Mission to work collaboratively to secure the conservation and enhancement of the Boyne Catchment, and to promote the sustainable use and management of the River Boyne, through community-led projects and activities. The five proposed Strategic Goals are as follows:
Help Restore and Protect the River Boyne
Increase Public Awareness and Engagement
Protect the Cultural and Heritage Value of the Boyne
To Collaborate with Relevant Organisations and Stakeholders
To Develop Organisational Capacity
These goals will help to direct the work of the trust, ensuring our project work is in line with our vision, mission and values, and in the interest of the Boyne and its community.
We have begun developing our Funding Strategy, to focus our efforts in 2026 on obtaining core funding to support the efforts of the Trust. This is vital for the Trust to run its various projects, maintain its two staff members, and cover general running costs of the organisation.
Boyne Rivers Trust is reaching out to potential partners and funders to support our mission. If you are or someone you know is interested in supporting our work, please get in touch at info@boyneriverstrust.ie
You can also make a donation on our website: https://www.boyneriverstrust.ie/support-us
