Flood waters are receding around Kilteevan. The camera lense can now read the roadsigns on the double!

Locals are still inconvenienced and are using tractors or jeeps or taking alternative routes to travel. January 2016 will be remembered.

A payback for walking in Kilteevan in wet weather is the fact that you can see extraordinary things in our environment and you can learn something new almost every day. Just open your eyes!  One of the aims of our website is to share paperless information on our rich biodiversity and environment.  We hope you enjoy learning with us in this way.

 Here are three recent finds 

 Wood Ear /Tree Ear Fungus      Auricularia polytricha

 This amazing reddish brown, rubbery, ear shaped or ear like cup-shaped fungus was spotted in Cloonmore on 5^th January 2016. The fungus can be found throughout the year in temperate regions worldwide, where it grows upon both dead and living wood particularly elder.

it is sometimes called Judas/Jew ear. This name  is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree. The common name today seems to be Wood ear, Tree ear, or Jelly ear.

 The importance of this fungus in the Ecosystem

This is one of the many fungus species that live on decaying wood. It and other such fungi play an incredibly important role in breaking down the tough materials in wood and returning those nutrients to the soil.

Most fungi are decomposers, which makes them essential recyclers. They break down dead tissues and return essential nutrients back into ecosystems.

 White Brain Fungus Exidia thuretiana

 This white jelly like gem was spotted near Grove on 8^th January 2016.  This was a real case of …..”what on earth is that? And it took some time to confirm identification. Well, we think it is White brain fungus .  You really need wet weather to find this fungus…… hence this interesting find.  During dry spells it shrivels up almost completely and forms a thin brownish membrane that is easily overlooked.

White Brain fungus Exidia thuertiana occurs throughout Britain and Ireland but is described as a rather an uncommon find so our very wet weather provided a new experience. This jelly fungus can be seen also in many countries on mainland Europe and in northern Africa.

Birch polypore           Piptoporus betulinus,  also commonly known as the birch bracketor razor strop fungus photographed today January 18^th  in Cloonmore.

As the name suggests, grows almost exclusively on birch trees. The brackets burst out from the bark of the tree, and these fruiting bodies can last for more than a year. . The velvety cut surface of the fruiting body was traditionally used as a strop for finishing the finest of edges on razors. It is also used as a knife sharpener especially by those who couldn’t afford leather.  It is also said to have medicinal properties. The fungus can harbour a large number of species of insects that depend on it for food and as breeding sites.

Remember you can share images of your finds with us on [email protected]

Signpost at the top of image reads Clooneigh/Cloonlarge Annaghmore  

In this section of our website our aim is to keep you updated on our heritage both natural and built. Our natural heritage and environment is constantly changing therefore we feel it is important to record our local observations for the future.

December 2015 in Ireland was one of the mildest on record in most areas and the wettest on record in parts of the West, South and Midlands, with many people experiencing the dreadful heart breaking trauma of losing their homes through flooding. Our hearts go out to them.  Thankfully, as far as we are aware, homes in Kilteevan were not flooded during this episode .

However, according to locals in their 90’s, living in the parish, Kilteevan has experienced the worst flooding in living memory. Roads have been closed in Carrowmore, Clooncagh, Cloonmore, Annaghmore, Clooneskert and Cloneigh. While we were accustomed to flooding in these areas in the past, the depth and extent of flooding in December 2015 and January 2016 appears to have broken all records. You can see in our images that new rivers and lakes have appeared and sadly we have lost some trees.

Cloontimullen, Kilteevan 2016

Clooneigh Kilteevan 

Derrinturk Kilteevan

Clooneigh, Kilteevan 2016

According to Met Eireann, warm and moist tropical air masses brought this very mild, wet and stormy weather over Ireland. The widespread flooding in some parts of the country was exacerbated by already saturated ground following above normal rainfall in November 2015

A pattern of continuous troughs and ridges across the North Atlantic and over Ireland giving us a mild predominantly south to south-westerly airflow last December.  This resulted in a prolonged spell of very mild and very wet weather during which record temperatures and rainfall amounts occurred.

It is very difficult at this point in time to determine the exact causes of the recent extreme weather. Some studies suggest that the El Nino event in the Pacific is responsible for the mild wet spell. Climate Change models suggest that rising temperatures are leading to an increase in the water carrying capacity of the atmosphere.

Assessment and research over future decades will enlighten us as about positive identification of the causes. 

We want to put on record the fact that we have experienced great change.

Flood waters are now receding and snow is promised.  

_{EF.14^th January 2016}

Sunrise in Kilteevan and over Sliabh Bán was a spectacular and welcome sight this morning after many dull, dark and rainy days.

Nollaig na mBan—translated from Irish as "Women's Christmas” is more commonly known as "Little Christmas or the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6^th) marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas.

On this day, tradition in Ireland is for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas.  Although the tradition of Nollaig na mBan is slowly dying out in many parts of Ireland , the tradition is still strong along the South West coast.