Biodiversity Survey is launched

That the soil in and around Kilcullen is very productive is thanks to an ice sheet that brought limestone 'till' to the area as it moved in from the north-east, writes Brian Byrne.

That's another nugget from the Biodiversity Survey commissioned by Kilcullen Community Action and launched in report form at an event in Kilcullen Heritage Centre last night.

The Survey, by Dr Mary Tubridy and Associates, delves into the geological underpinnings of the modern Kilcullen as well as detailing the diversity of the flora and fauna in and around the River Liffey as it flows through the town.

The Survey notes that the underlying rocks, greywackes, shales and siltstones, are all quite acidic and wouldn't have provided good farming soil.

Those rocks, formed in the Silurian Period some 400m years ago, can be seen in the scarp opposite the Bridge Camphill lands, and on Knockaulin. They are also visible in a number of old stone walls such as in the graveyard, and in the old part of the bridge.

The geology of Kilcullen and its formation played an important part in the development of the modern environmental network that provides habitats and food to a wide variety of life in and around the river area through the town.

The monolith of glacial gravels at the east end of the Valley Park is an 'unusual relic' of the Ice Age, Dr Tubridy notes, and suggests that we 'look closely' to find other monoliths in the same Park.

Dr Tubridy's Survey makes suggestions for further information gathering by interested local people.

After last night's launch there was a walk through the Valley and the Camphill Nature Trail.

The documents relating to the Survey are available for download at the links below.

Biodiversity Survey of the Liffey & Environs in Kilcullen. Mary Tubridy and Associates.

Geological Geodiversity around the town of Kilcullen, County Kildare. Dr Robert T Meehan, PGeo.

Biological Survey of the River Liffey and its Tributaries in Kilcullen, Co Kildare. Noreen McLoughlin, MSc.

Bird Survey at Kilcullen, County Kildare. Tom Cooney.

Habitats and Plants Survey. Mary Tubridy.

The Valley Riverside Walk, Kilcullen: Guidelines to Enhance Biodiversity and Amenity. Dr Betsy Hickey.

Bats Survey (later).