Contamination along the River Quoile in Downpatrick threatens the health of users while it remains unclean. That's the findings of water tests carried out by Clean up the Quoile in 2020: High levels of E.coli, enterococci and coliforms found at...
When culverts (tunnels that carry streams under roads) become blocked by silt and other debris, it can cause problems for the natural environment. There has been a build-up of silt in culverts at Belfast Road for some time and this...
Anglers at the River Quoile are frustrated that those with disabilities are still being ‘denied freedom of fishing’ after new railings at the Old Floodgates prevents them from having direct access to the river to fish. Despite several pleas from...
A strong feature of the Quoile area is bio-diversity, wetland and rough grazing habitat, along with the crisscross pattern of hedges and field boundaries. Local farmers and land stewards can help to protect the River Quoile: Fence off to protect...
Clean up the Quoile conducted a survey among Downpatrick residents recently (May 2022), asking them whether they thought the River Quoile was in a good environmental condition. 78% of respondents said they believed the River Quoile was not in a...
The Quoile Estuary is strongly associated with legends of Saint Patrick who landed in the area. A large tourist information centre tells the story less than two miles away in Downpatrick town centre, yet there is no link-up at the...
The Quoile is rich in insects, providing food for fish such as rudd and eels. In turn, these may be eaten by grey herons, cormorants and grebes. An excellent site for birdwatching, the Quoile attracts migrating wading birds in the...
The present freshwater lake was created by the construction of a tidal barrier across the estuary of the River Quoile in 1957. The resulting dramatic change from saltwater to fresh water is illustrated by the succession of developing habitats rich...