Ken Whelan featured on RTE CountryWide

The recent Ballinglen Barrier Project. Photo courtesy of Faith Wilson.

In northeast Scotland, a 150-year-old weir on the River Deveron has been removed, allowing the river to flow freely for the first time in generations. The project, led by the Atlantic Salmon Trust, has reconnected over 11 kilometres of habitat, giving salmon, trout, and eels access to crucial upstream spawning grounds. Project manager Jamie Gordon described the moment the water flowed again as “wonderful to see,” noting the wider ecological benefits, including increased birdlife, tree planting, and invertebrate recovery.

Atlantic Salmon Trust vice president Ken Whelan, also of the East Wicklow RIver’s Trust, praised the project as an example of how smaller, targeted restoration efforts can make a major impact. He drew parallels with Ireland, where over 73,000 barriers impede fish migration, urging similar initiatives to help reverse the 90% decline in salmon numbers since the 1970s.

Ken highlighted the Ballinaglen project in County Wicklow, where the East Wicklow River Trust, Inland Fisheries Ireland, and local landowners restored 10–15 kilometres of stream. By removing obstructions and improving habitats, the project will help to revitalise local ecosystems and reopen spawning routes. Both projects show that reconnecting rivers, whether in Scotland or Ireland, is one of the most effective ways to restore biodiversity and support the recovery of vulnerable wild salmon populations.

You can listen to the CountryWide feature on RTE Radio 1’s playback here.