Bathing Water Profile - Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór (2013)

Bathing Water: Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór Bathing Water Code: IEWEBWC010_0000_0200 Local Authority: County Council River Basin District: Western Monitoring Point: 82978E, 210420N

1. Profile Details:

Profile Id: BWPR00185 Toilets Available: Yes Year Of Profile: 2013 Car Parking Available: Yes Year Of Identification 1992 Disabled Access: No Version Number: 1 First Aid Available: Yes Sensitive Area: Yes Dogs Allowed: Yes Lifesaving Facilities: Yes

Figure 1: Bathing Water 2. Bathing Water Details:

Map 1: Bathing Water Location & Extent

Bathing Water location and Cill Mhuirbhigh (Kilmurvey) is a sandy blue flag beach situated on Inis Mór, the largest of the . extent: It is located approximately 5km from Cill Rónáin (Kilronan) Village. Inis Mór is located at the most of westerly point of Galway Bay between the coasts of Galway and Clare. There are a number of ways to reach the Island including by boat either directly from Galway City, Ros a Mhil (Rossaveal) in or from Doolin in Co. Clare. The island can also be reached by air from Connemara Airport in Indreabhan ().

Main features of the Bathing Type of Bathing Water: Cill Mhuirbhigh beach is a sheltered sandy shore with rocky shore at both the Water: western and eastern end.

Flora/Fauna, Riparian Zone: The rocky shore exhibits typical zonation patterns, with Xanthoria lichen in the splash zone, above the Black Tar Lichen (Verrucaria spp.). On the Upper shore channelled wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata) mainly occurs above twisted wrack (Fucus spiralis) and Limpets (Patella spp.). Middle shore communities include Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), red algae (Rhodophyceae), limpets and periwinkles (Littorina spp.). On the Lower shore, red algae grows alongside green seaweeds (Chlorophyceae spp.) including Ulva spp. and the brown Fucus serratus. There is a very small area of embryonic/ Marram (Ammophilia arenaria) dune at the rear of the beach. Vegetation includes sea beet (Beta vulgaris), tussocks of Marram and ragwort (Senecio spp.).

Local Sites of Interest: The rare habitat of Machair is located behind the beach. Machair is a form of coastal grassland which is characterised by species-rich, dry calcareous grassland. It has been cut through by a slipway to the beach on its northern edge and the main road from Kilronan to Kilmurvey forms its southern edge. Machair develops in places with a cool, moist and windy climate like the West of . The grassy plain is usually nearly level and close enough to the water table for small undulations to produce mossaics of wet and dry areas. It is characterised by species rich herbaceous vegetation and features elements of sand dune communities and calcareous grassland.

Land use: Most of the island is grazed by cattle and sheep and, in places, goats. Inis Mór is a candidate SAC selected for lagoon, fixed dune, machair, orchid-rich grassland and limestone pavement, all priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive.

Protected Areas: Inis Mór is a candidate SAC selected for lagoon, fixed dune, machair, orchid-rich grassland and limestone pavement, all priority habitats on Annex I of the E.U. Habitats Directive. The site is also selected as a candidate SAC for other habitats listed on Annex I of the directive – lowland hay meadows, perennial vegetation of stony banks, reefs, sea cliffs, shifting dunes, Marram dunes, dune slack, dunes with Creeping Willow (Salix repens), marine caves, alpine heath and dry heath. The coastal habitats of Inis Mór support a range of Rare Plant species. Purple Milk Vetch (Astragalus danicus) grows on Main features of the Bathing Water:

machair and sandy places close to the sea. It is confined to Inis Mór and and is legally protected under the Flora Protection Act (1999). Sea Kale (Crambe maritime) occurs on coastal sands and shingle around the island; Hairy Violet (Viola hirta) and Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) can be found among the coastal grasslands. All three species are listed in the Irish Red Data Book and Hairy Violet is legally protected under the Flora Protection Order (1999). Inis Mór is famous among birdwatchers.

The birdlife of Inis Mór is considered of international significance, due to the presence of significant numbers of bird species listed under Annex I of the European Birds Directive. Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), Little Tern (Sternula albifrons), Artic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) all breed here. Additional bird species on Inis Mór include Merlin (Falco columbarius), Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), Sparrowhawk (Aciptur nisus), Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) and Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis). Along the western coastline, cliffs provide excellent nesting sites for Guillemot (Uria aalge), Fulmar (Fulmaris glacialis), Razorbill (Alco torda), Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), Great Black- backed Gull (Larus marinus) and Kittiwake (Larus tridactyla).

A colony of Common Seals (Phoca vitulina) is occasionally seen resting on the island’s shores. This species is listed under Annex II of the European Habitats Directive as it is threatened in Europe. The mollusc, Vertigo angustior, a species that is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive occurs at three different locations within the site, two on dune and one on maritime grass, the latter an unusual habitat for the species. This is the only known island population of this rare snail. There is an UNESCO World Heritage Site on the island, the prehistoric fort Dún Aonghusa. The site is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe and bisected by an abrupt, 300-foot drop into the sea.

Facilities include the list below and also bins and an information board on site.

Water Depth: 2-4m

Tidal Range: Meso-tidal 2-4m, exposed coastline

Visitor Numbers:

Max. number of visitor during a day in high season: 500

Approx number of visitor during the bathing season:1350

Activities available at the Activities prohibited are those listed in Beach Bye-Laws for the County Health District of Galway Bathing Water:

Contributing catchment Contributing Catchment: Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands. It is about 9 miles in length and 2.5 details: miles wide. The catchment for the bathing area has not been mapped; therefore, the entire island was assessed for the purpose of this report. The Irish word Árainn means "long ridge" which is a good physical description of the Island. The all year population is about 800 (2006) with Cill Rónáin (Kilronan) the largest settlement. The population in 2011 was 1251. The area of the catchment is 31.46 sq.km.

Soils/Subsoils/Bedrock: Upper Carboniferous limestone strata, interleaved with layers of shale and clay. A thin cover of rendzina occurs in pockets between blocks of bare limestone. This soil is combined with a mixture of sand and seaweed to form a unique manmade soil cover, built up over the centuries. The site includes a large area of marine waters surrounding the island.

Land use: Agricultural intensity is relatively higher here than on the other two Aran Islands. Parts of the island have been damaged by overgrazing and agricultural improvement. Elsewhere, the abandonment of farming, in favour of tourism and related enterprises, has resulted in the increase in scrub and particularly Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) thickets. This is at the expense of species-rich grasslands. An increase in leisure activities, in particular scrambling and walking, on the Marram dunes at the east of the Island, has resulted in damage to this habitat.

Protected Area: Inis Mór is of considerable scientific interest primarily for the wide range of good quality habitats which occur, and the floristic richness of many of these habitats. The Island supports an impressive array of critically rare and threatened plant species, and it also provides excellent habitat for several bird species which are becoming increasingly rare in Ireland and Europe.

Topography: Limestone pavement and its associated plant communities dominate the upland area to the south of the Island. The limestone pavement includes smooth-blocky and shattered types. The bare pavement is interspersed with fine examples of species-rich, dry calcareous grasslands. Dry heath, alpine heath and lowland hay meadows are additional habitats which occur on Inis Mór. A network of small, stone-walled fields dissect the Island. Each field encloses an area of limestone pavement interspersed with fine examples of species-rich, dry calcareous grasslands. The southern part of the island supports the highest proportion of these calcareous meadows. Dry limestone heath has developed in places, with Ling Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), Purple Moor-grass and Black Bog Rush (Schoenus nigricans) recorded from this habitat. Hoary Rockrose (Helianthemum canum), a species listed in the Irish Red Data Book, occurs regularly throughout the dry heath and alpine heath habitats on the Contributing catchment details:

Island

Flora: Common species here include Blue Moor-grass (Sesleria albicans), Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.), Wood Sage (Teucrium scorodonia), Carline Thistle (Carlina vulgaris) and Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia), along with Knapweeds (Centaurea nigra and C. scabiosa), Orchids (Orchidaceae), Bloody Cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) and Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna). The southern part of the island supports the highest proportion of these calcareous meadows. Hoary Rockrose (Helianthemum canum), a species listed in the Irish Red Data Book, occurs regularly throughout the dry heath and alpine heath habitats on the Island. Traditional farming practices, in the form of rye cultivation for thatching, has maintained suitable habitat for a number of rare and threatened arable weeds. Darnel (Lolium temulentum), Smooth Brome (Bromus racemosus), Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) and Bristle Oat (Avena strigosa) all occur on Inis Mór. All four species are listed in The Irish Red Data Book and, prior to their discovery on the Aran Islands, some of these species were thought to have been extinct in Ireland.

Monitoring point details: The monitoring point is located centrally in the bathing area at E 082978 N210420

Reason for selection of the It is considered to be a suitable location for determining the quality of the water within the bathing area. monitoring point: This monitoring point has been used historically. It is not considered that the water quality varies significantly throughout the identified bathing area.

Water quality assessment: The bathing area is monitored on a forth-nightly basis during the bathing season. Water quality was assessed on the basis of the bathing water results for the bathing seasons (June-August) 2006 – 2010 and the bathing water was excellent. Cill Mhuirbhigh has been awarded Blue Flag Status for several years. The water quality for 2010-2012 was excellent using the 95th percentile calculation.

3. Identified Pressures:

Map 2: Bathing Water Catchment

3.1 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing no risk: Description: Section 4 licence Source: Pressure Posing No Risk Type: Waste Water Treatment plant Short Term Pressure: No

Description: Agriculture Source: Pressure Posing No Risk Type: Run off from agricultural land Short Term Pressure: No

3.2 Potential pressures in the catchment assessed as posing risk: Description: On-site wastewater treatment plants Source: Pressure Posing Risk Type: Septic Tank Short Term Pressure: Yes Nature: Low Risk Frequency: not frequent Duration: < 24 hours Risk Assessment There are several on-site wastewater treatment systems within 1km of this bathing area. A survey of Methodology: the on-site wastewater treatment systems in the area would be required to determine the risk associated with each plant. Risk Assessment Water quality results indicate that the likelihood and magnitude of the risk is low. Results: Details: As set out above. Management Measures: The National Inspection Programme provides a mechanism for dealing with this issue; however, considerable resources are required to carry out inspections in any catchment. Inspections in the county will be carried out on a priority basis in line with available resources. Due to the low risk and good water quality results no inspections are scheduled in this catchment for bathing water quality purposes at present.

3.3 Other Risks:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of cyanobacteria:

Proposed management measures for N/A cyanobacteria:

Assessment of the potential for proliferation N/A of macroalgae:

Proposed management measures for Monitoring of this beach indicates that there is no significant potential for an accumulation of macroalgae: Marine Phytoplankton in quantities likely to pose a danger to human health

Assessment of the potential for proliferation Monitoring of this beach indicates that there is no significant potential for an accumulation of of marine phytoplankton: macroalgae in quantities likely to pose a danger to human health

Proposed management measures for marine N/A phytoplankton:

Additional Information: None

4 Bathing Water Status From Previous Sampling Years:

2010 2011 2012 2013 Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór Good Good Good Good

5 Contact Details: Contact: Galway County Council Email: [email protected] Address: Environment Section, Prospect Hill, Galway Phone: 091 476402