Intel Ireland last week launched ‘The Friends of the Rye River trail’, a special immersive walk along the river that celebrates over three decades of stewardship of the Rye River waters.
The trail, which runs adjacent to the Rye River in Leixlip, was unveiled at a celebratory event, hosted along the river walkway, which brought together local representatives and interest groups who have been an important part of the story of the Rye. Attendees of the event had the opportunity to experience the newly installed trail and to hear from renowned biologist, author and broadcaster, Éanna Ní Lamhna, before being invited for refreshments in the Courtyard in Leixlip.
The walking trail follows a route adjacent to the Rye in Leixlip town, beginning close to the Leixlip Scout Den and running North to the entrance of Ryevale Lawns estate. The trail presents content from the Friends of the Rye publication which was published by Intel in 2022. The publication includes investigations which have documented the aquatic life and water quality of the Rye waters since the early 1990’s.
The trail begins and ends with 2 large trailhead signs that contain information about the Rye waters and a map of the trail route. The trail itself runs approximately 500m in length along a walkway adjacent to the riverbank and contains 8 stopping points. Each stopping point is marked by a timber signal post that introduces content linked to a chapter from the Friends of the Rye book. Each signal post of the trail presents the content in both Irish and English language. The posts also contain a QR code that allows visitors to access each chapter in full in a digital format and an audio version of the chapter’s content.
Since first establishing operations in Leixlip in 1989 Intel has been mindful of the rich biodiversity contained within its site and the significance of the Rye Water, which flows through the Northern part of the Intel campus. Intel has a long-standing commitment to the monitoring of the waters through the funding of annual reports. This detailed monitoring of the River Rye is one of the longest running, continuous freshwater assessments of salmonid populations in Ireland.
The Friends of the Rye brings together a number of key stakeholders, all of whom share a common interest – the welfare of the Rye Water catchment. The group meets regularly to discuss the current state as well as plans for the river.
Speaking at the launch event, Intel Ireland's Community Relations Director, Sarah Sexton said
“We are proud to unveil this new Friends of the Rye walking trail here in Leixlip and to share the rich history of this important waterway with our local community. The trail has provided another opportunity to share the information that has been gathered about the Rye waters through 30 years of detailed monitoring and assessment. We hope that the trail will be experienced and enjoyed by many, and we would like to thank the Friends of the Rye group for their continued partnership”.
The Friends of the Rye group is made up of representatives from Intel, Kildare County Council, AQUENS Ltd., Inland Fisheries Ireland, Leixlip and District Anglers Association, Ryevale Lawns Residents Association and Carton House.
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Media contact: Ruth Marie Callinan | + 353 1 606 1376