Sunshine spurs algae growth
The recent spell of hot weather -- hopefully just temporarily interrupted -- has substantially increased the amount of algae growing in the ornamental monument in the Valley park.
"The area gets a lot of sunshine, and that accelerates the growth," he told the Diary.
The pond section of the monument, erected to mark the official opening of the park by the then Minister for the Environment, Sylvester Barrett TD, is fed from an underground spring.
The plaque recalls Jim Collins' efforts when he was locally known as 'Mr Valley' and was the prime mover in organising the fundraising for the purchase and development of the park, as well as the minister and the landscape designer of the Valley, the late George Speirs, who operated Burtown Nurseries near Athy in the 70s.
George was a keen waterways enthusiast, and was one of the founders of the Upper Barrow Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland. He died in 1990.
Brian Byrne.
