Our Story

A community united for nature

We're a volunteer-led community group, formed in Castletown back in 2019 by people who love this river and wanted to look after it properly. The catchment is recognised as a Priority Area for Action under Ireland's River Basin Management Plan, and our work is aligned with the national Water Action Plan.

In our first year, former TCD professor Paul Johnston investigated flooding on the Lower River Inch, citizen scientists spent a year logging river and estuary life with Coast Watch Ireland's Karen Dubsky, and ecologist Faith Wilson began building a detailed picture of the catchment's ecology, later published as our Streamscapes guide.

Six years on, we're still entirely run by local volunteers, and still learning more about the Ahare all the time.

Growing Recognition

It's been lovely to have our work noticed

Recently, our chair Cathy Lee was invited to speak on the formation of new community groups at LAWPRO and The Rivers Trust's national Communities Caring for Waters conference, and we now sit on Wexford County Council's Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment Strategic Policy Committee.

We've also picked up a few awards along the way:

  • National Heritage Week Award 2022, County Award
  • SuperValu Tidy Towns Commendation 2023
  • National Heritage Week Award 2024, Wild Child Award
  • National Heritage Week Award 2024, County Award

Our Collaborators

We don't do this alone

    We're delighted to partner with a range of established organisations and community partners, including LAWPRO, Wexford County Council's Biodiversity and Climate Action teams, The Heritage Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Seal Rescue Ireland, the RNLI's Arklow Lifeboat Station, Seashore Explore, Trinity College Dublin, Castletown NS, Tara Hill NS, Scoil Ghormáin Naofa, Gorey Bat Group, Kilanerin Tidy Towns, Tara Hill Community Development Association, Wexford Environmental Network, and the many local volunteers who give their time.

    Thank you to our volunteers, partners and community supporters, who give their free time and often their own money to protecting our natural heritage.

    None of this happens without them.

    Want to Get Involved?

    New members are always welcome - no matter your age or background!

    Reach out today to find out how you can help us in our mission to protect the Ahare River.