Salmon and Trout Get a Lifeline with €771K Grants

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has announced €771,295 in funding for 21 projects aimed at restoring salmon and trout stocks and their habitats across 14 counties in 2025.

The grants, awarded through IFI’s competitive Habitats and Conservation Scheme, support vital environmental works designed to help native salmon and sea trout populations survive and thrive amid ongoing challenges.

Key projects include:

• Dodder Valley Park, Dublin: Woody habitat river restoration to boost fish communities and biodiversity.
• Pound River near Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan: Rehabilitation to improve spawning and nursery habitats for brown trout.
• River Barrow tributaries, Co. Offaly: Collaboration with Offaly County Council to encourage natural river processes and biodiversity.
• Boyne catchment, Meath/Kildare: Restoration of damaged habitats in the Garr and Skane Rivers and at Trimblestown to support salmonid recruitment.
• Clare River, Co. Galway: Habitat restoration at Dunmore, Monivea, and Lavally with OPW and local stakeholders.
• Glen River, Co. Donegal: Measures to sustain vulnerable salmon and sea trout stocks.

Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, welcomed the funding, saying: “This investment will help futureproof Ireland’s salmon and sea trout populations. Our migratory Atlantic salmon are in significant decline, and these restoration efforts, supported by strong community engagement, are essential for their survival.”

IFI Head of Operations, Barry Fox, added: “These grants support collaboration with statutory and non-statutory groups to create resilient habitats. Projects funded range from those of national strategic importance to regional efforts restoring damaged catchments.”

Funding distribution includes Galway (€163k), Meath (€139k), Sligo (€77k), Donegal (€41k), Tipperary (€32k), Carlow (€30k), Cavan (€25k), Mayo (€23k), Laois (€20k), Offaly (€20k), Kildare (€17k), Leitrim (€16k), Dublin (€12k), Louth (€7.5k), plus €148k allocated to national projects.