Call for earlier weed cutting on popular Mayo lake to protect water activities

The OPW weed harvesting vessel was spotted cutting back heavy weed growth on Lough Lannagh earlier today.

Fine Gael councillor welcomed the works being done but has called for the maintenance on the lake to be carried out much earlier in the season in future to prevent disruption to water-based recreational activities.

Speaking to The Connaught Telegraph, Cllr Deere said the dense weed growth in recent weeks had become a serious obstacle for both locals and visitors hoping to enjoy the lake.

“Over the past number of weeks, the weeds had become so strong that a lot of water activities simply could not take place,” he said.

“While it’s good to see the OPW carrying out this important work now, it really needs to happen earlier in the summer.”

Cllr Deere stressed the importance of Lough Lannagh as a community and tourism asset, particularly during the peak summer months.

“In order to avoid a repeat of this situation next year, I’m calling on the relevant authorities to schedule this maintenance in early summer going forward. That will ensure the lake remains fully accessible for activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming throughout the season.”

Lough Lannagh has seen significant development and investment in recent years, and remains a key part of Castlebar’s recreational offering.