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Cabragh Wetlands TrustTom Grace
Chairman
Bridge House HotelTullamore
21st September 2015
History
• Sugar Factory in Thurles 1930’s to 1990’s• Settling Ponds aka. Sugar Factory Lagoons• Protest against filling in of lagoons after
factory closure• Protest group offered 14 acres of summer
grazing and part fenland for biodiversity• Protest group formalised into Cabragh
Wetlands Trust due to land donation in 1992
History
• Land overgrazed, but time rejuvenated it• Shannon Development Report by RPS Kerins • Trust funded Ornithological & Development
Report by Gordon Darcy• Engaged with Tipperary LEADER Group in 1994,
for walkway creation, tree planting, bird hides, ponds & 1600 sqft multi-purpose building.
• LEADER ensured plan in place and project completion.
History
• Late 1990’s: building completed • LEADER lacking in providing direct support in further
on-going project development mentoring once investment completed
• 100% dependent on voluntary input for education and tourist visit, therefore unable to remain open for full 6-day week
• Teachers came with pupils and used venue as environmental classroom
• Trust recognised need for a full time presence on-site
History
• Opened at weekends staffed by volunteers• Schools booked during week where the school
teachers taught their class• In 2005, full-time volunteer commenced,
ensuring weeklong opening and staffing• In 2008, additional full-time volunteer
commenced.• Both volunteers are passionate
environmentalists
History
• Volunteer hours highlighted potential for an environmental education centre
• CEB supported business development plan by Lorraine Granger Consultancy
• Trust approached NTLP in 2010 for funding to develop a modern environmental education centre and community space
• Inter-territorial project between NTLP & STDC• Received a 75% grant of €389,573.70• Total Project Cost €519,431.70
• LEADER staff very helpful in negotiating the paperworkload of the RDP
• LEADER Programme is great until one has to find 25% of cost, but it is better than having to find 50% of cost as in 1990’s which was a burden for years
• Re-development commenced in May 2014 & building completed in October 2014
Cabragh Wetlands Centre
Cabragh Wetlands
Rare Species
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Cabragh Wetlands “Hotel”
Cabragh Wetlands Residents
Cashflow Projections
2016 2017 2018
Income €44,100 €44,100 €52,400
Expenditure €40,240 €37,550 €40,750
Future Requirements
• Need for on-going professional environmental education and tourism marketing & mentoring for the trust to develop commercially in a fast changing world.
• Full-time professional manager required to maximise potential revenue generation and develop additional revenue streams.
Cabragh Wetlands Trust
Thank You
Any Questions
www.cabraghwetlands.ie
T: 0504 43879
