Volunteers have been removing the Himalayan Balsam plants which have grown strongly in the area of the bridge in recent times,
writes Brian Byrne.
The plant may be pretty looking when in flower, but it is one of the highly invasive species which can cause problems if left unchecked.
This annual plant grows to 3 metres high and is spread exclusively by seed. The seed pods explode when mature, scattering the small seeds up to 7 metres from the parent plant. The plants grow in dense stands along the banks of rivers and effectively suppress any native grasses and herbaceous plants.
The balsam dies back in autumn, exposing the then bare bank sides to erosive winter flows.
(Pictures via KCA Facebook, information from Inland Fisheries Ireland.)
