The Fish Live in Trees programme in Ennistymon in County Clare celebrates the renaissance of the Ballymacraven River through the herculean efforts of local people following the catastrophic fish kill that took place there in May 2023. 

Since the dramatic event activists have cleared large swathes of the invasive cherry laurel bushes that darken the glen to encourage regrowth of the fish population. Shady cherry laurels render the water gloomy and unsuitable for spawning fish. Instead they have planted over one thousand native Irish trees, to provide the suitable dappled cover and woody debris that fish love. 

Artists Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly (aka School of Looking) interviewed LAWPRO officer Ruairí Ó Conchúir in May 2025 on site along the Ballymacraven River. A short film Fish Live in Trees resulted from this meeting. 

During Autumn 2025, the optimum time for tree planting, Cleary and Connolly are collaborating with local theatre maker Maeve Stone, marine biologist Rachel O'Malley, botanist Helena Brady and musicians Indeceltic to create a weekend of creative nature engagement events in Ennistymon, and along the banks of the Ballymacraven River, including riverside walks, macrophotography, sketching and creative writing as well as a musical performance and a screening of Fish Live in Trees. 

For more information go to https://www.schooloflooking.org/CATCHMENTS/Ballymacraven.html 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.