1. Rahasane Turlough By Adam Lawlor Smalle January 2012

2. Our Local Turlough Rahasane Turlough is the name given to the largest surviving turlough in Ireland. It is down the road from our school. It is situated on the Dunkellin river, west of Craughwell. It consists of two basins which are connected at times of flood but separate as the waters drain away. In summer, the lake empties & the basin is grazed by cattle, horse & sheep

4. What is a Turlough ? A turlough is a disappearing lake. Mostly found in limestone area’s of Ireland, west of the river Shannon. The name comes from the Irish “tuar” meaning dry and “loch” the Irish for lake. They are almost unique to Ireland. Most turloughs flood in autumn and then dry up usually between April and July.

5. Map of Craughwell Village and Turlough

6. Rahasane Turlough Rahasane is a karst (exposed limestone) lake There is no surface outlet & is surrounded on all sides by rising land Most of the turlough is open, flat and grassy, with large rocks scattered over the floor It has an active swallowhole system Some of the swallowholes can reach 5 meters in diameter & are 2 to 3 meters deep It covers 257 hectares

7. Wildlife in the Rahasane Turlough Famous for its wintering wildfowl populations  Whooper & Bewicks Swans  Greenland White – fronted Geese  Mallard Ducks - see photo  Widgeon Ducks  Black Terns

8. Wildlife in the Rahasane Turlough contd. Summer birdlife includes nesting waders including  Lapwing  Redshank  Snipe  Dunlin Redshank & Lapwing (below)

9. Wildlife in the Rahasane Turlough contd. There is a small run of Atlantic Salmon through the Dunkellin River They just pass through & do not spawn The Fairy Shrimp was first recorded in Ireland Otters are to be found at the neck of the turlough Look up “otters in Rahasane” for video proof on Google

10. Types of Vegetation Dry grassland incl.  Red Fescue  Crested Dogs – tail  Creeping Cinquefoil (very rare)  Fen Violet (very rare)  Silverweed  Creeping Brent Wet Communities incl.  Fan-leaved Water Crowfoot  Fennel Pondweed  Lesser Pondweed  Fat Buckweed

11. Rahasane is Important to Europe Rahasane Turlough is a Special Area of Conservation under the Habitats Directive which is a important European Law that protects vulnerable areas for wildbirds & animals and plant species The Irish Government is obliged to protect and maintain the environment in and around the Turlough It implements laws & enforces regulations to ensure the ecological integrity of the site

12. Poem lamenting damage to Rahasane Turlough if proposed Sewage Plant was sited at its neck, since averted. Who cares?By Michael O’Rourke Who cares about the rabbit or hare? Its 2007, hasn’t he been long enough there The Celtic Tiger can run around there Bulldoze that hill; don’t mind the old mill, We can crush the stone for gravel and fill. Who cares? Now what about the speckled brown trout, The Saragossa eel, the widgeon or teal, The salmon and pike can get on their bike, And don’t get bothered about the rare old otter, Sure can’t he find some other clean water? Who cares?

13. Who cares about the river bed All those lovely fishes lying dead The sewerage scheme should go ahead. Who cares about the rare red squirrel To see them was such a thrill But sure we can do without him as well. Who cares? And what about the Turlough fair Or do people know its there With its many birds so rare Some how travelled very far. To stroll there scenting the still clean air With Craughwell water running there Its sweet green grass grazed quite bare. Who cares?

14. Who cares about feather or fin To damage all this is surely a sin The oyster in its crusty shell I won’t chance those, I think they smell. We often came to visit here And stopped to eat at Moran’s of the Weir. Who cares? And what about the martin cat With all of the development there will be only room for the rat. With the roundabouts and big wide roads There will be no space left for lizard or toad. The hedgehog too Sure there may be room for him in the zoo. Who cares? And last the King Fisher bird with plumage bright His habitat destroyed who gives a sh--. Who cares?