Eco Eye, Series 9; Episode 1 Part 3

loop Head, winner of the Ireland EDEN Award for sustainable Tourism has managed to successfully develop its tourism Industry while respecting the sensitivities of the local environment. Tania explores the unspoilt blue flag beaches, enjoys a dolphin watching trip and visits an ancient lighthouse to understand how important Sustainable Tourism is for our green economy. EDEN EU Tourism Award: EDEN is the acronym for European Destinations of Excellence, a project promoting sustainable tourism development models across the European Union. The project is based on national competitions that take place every year and result in the selection of a tourist "destination of excellence" for each participating country. http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/tourism/eden/what-is-eden/index_en.htm The Loop Head Peninsula is situated in West Clare, Ireland and encompasses the villages of Cross, Kilbaha and Carrigaholt. The Loophead Lighthouse featured in Eco eye programme one has been environmentally sensitively restored by the Irish Landmark Trust Ltd. The Irish Landmark Trust has had great success to date, having grown from one restored property in 1997 to to its current portfolio of 20 unique and conserved properties now available as holiday homes. These include Castles, Lightkeepers' Houses, Gate Lodges, Estate Houses. This allows these wonderful heritage buildings to be enjoyed by the present and future generations. To rent a heritage property Email: bookings@irishlandmark.com Loophead: Things to do and see on Loophead Geology The special conditions along the Atlantic coast of the Loophead Peninsula attract visitors from all around. The rocks formations can be seen in two ways. Firstly, on land either walking or driving from the ossified trees in Goleen bay to the preserved sand volcanoes in Ross bay. Between these points are exposed carboniferous sedimentary basin shale (over 340 million years old) that comes in amazing shapes caused by slipping, folding and other geological movements. This is why the Loophead area has become very popular for geological study and research. Bird Watching At the Bridges of Ross (approximately seven miles from the lighthouse) migrating seabirds pass each autumn on migration and the bridges provide an excellent viewing point for Shearwaters, Petrels, Terns, and Skuas. Many species rare to Irish waters can be observed in suitable conditions, indeed the first Irish records of two species, Swinhoe's Petrel and Sooty Tern, occurred here. To find out more;. www.birdwatchireland.ie www.clarebirdwatching.com Dolphin Tours Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt offers 2-hour boat trips to experience this diverse natural heritage www.dolphinwatch.ie 065 905 8156 Sea Angling Carrigaholt is an ideal harbour to go fishing from. These fish include Cod, Pollock, Saith, Ling, Haddock, Whiting, Hake, Spur dog, Ray and of course lots of Mackerel, which in turn can be used as bait for among others Blue Shark and large Skate. www.fishandstay.com Luke and Mary Aston Phone 00353 (0)65 9058209 or direct to skipper 00353 (0)87 63675 Shore Fishing The best places are wild Atlantic storm beaches, sheltered estuaries and quiet harbour piers. The main species to be caught are; bass, mackerel, Pollock, flounder, mullet, coalfish, ling, ray and many more. To find the best fishing spots a guide is very useful. www.chillwithbill.com Currachs Currachs, the traditional canoe, of the Loophead peninsula were used in times past for fishing and for transport. The skills associated with the use of these boats had all but died out but now a new generation are being taught the skills of building, rowing and handling these boats. 6 boats which are now made available to Rowing clubs along the Clare Coastline. Currach regattas are held every year from Kilbaha to Kilkee. www.westclarecurrachs.com Diving Kilkee has a dedicated diving centre fully equipped and professionally manned by highly qualified diving instructors.The diverse marine life attracts divers from around the world. For beginners there is a trial dive in the shallow waters of Kilkee Bay to introduce them to the exciting underwater world. www.oceanlife Seaweed Spa Towards the end of the 18th century people starting coming to Loophead, especially Kilkee, to 'take the waters' so the seaside became a popular place for relaxation and recuperation. Thalassotherapy centres give clients the benefits, indoors, of seawater baths, seaweed wraps and marine spa treatments. www.kilkeethalasso.com

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[alisrob]

The sedimentary shales of this region have attracted the attention of energy companies. An exploratory licence was granted last Feb to assess this region in terms of its shale oil and shale gas reserves. Anybody who is not familiar with the term "fracking" or hydaulic fracturing should remedy this. If the gas companies get their way, this area could be a full scale industrial drilling area by the end of this decade - with associated water and air pollution.