IFI announces €771k in grants for 21 new salmon and sea trout projects

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has today announced funding to projects in 14 different counties to help restore salmon and trout stocks, and their habitats.

IFI’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme has awarded a total of €771,295 for 21 new environmental works in 2025.

The competitive scheme, administered by IFI, supports sustainable initiatives to ensure native salmon and sea trout survive and thrive, and overcome ongoing challenges they face in the wild.

The transformative fish conservation works in this year’s submissions include: 

• Woody habitat river restoration in Dodder Valley Park, Dublin, to stimulate and enhance habitat for resilient fish communities, and overall stream biodiversity;
• The Pound River rehabilitation scheme near Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan to improve spawning and nursery habitat for brown trout;
• The River Barrow tributaries plan in Co Offaly, in collaboration with Offaly County Council, regarding site-specific measures to encourage natural river processes and biodiversity;
• Restoration projects in the Boyne catchment, Co Meath/Co Kildare including the Garr River, the Skane River, and at Trimblestown to improve damaged habitats, and recruitment of juvenile and adult salmonids;
• River habitat restoration on the Clare River, Co Galway at Dunmore, Monivea and Lavally - with the OPW and local stakeholders - to restore degraded habitats and riparian zones for salmonids;
• River habitat restoration measures on the Glen River, Co. Donegal to help sustain vulnerable salmon and sea trout stocks. 

Announcing the award recipients Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “This investment by IFI will finance vital projects that will help futureproof Ireland’s salmon and sea trout populations.

"Our migratory Atlantic salmon are in significant decline. The department and IFI are committed to supporting restoration efforts - working in partnership with our stakeholders to increase juvenile production of the species.

"This year’s Habitats and Conservation Scheme submissions demonstrate strong leadership in the stewardship of local rivers, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.

"It’s heartening to see such positive community and stakeholder engagement in the applications."

Barry Fox Head of Operations with IFI added: "With these grants Inland Fisheries Ireland is working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory groups to create resilient habitats for future generations of fish. 

"The projects include those that are of national strategic importance, and those that aim to improve damaged habitats in regional catchments failing to meet their conservation limits." 

Financial assistance will be provided to projects across the Republic of Ireland, and distributed as follows: Galway (€163k), Meath (€139k), Sligo (€77k), Donegal (€41k), Tipperary (€32k), Carlow (€30k), Cavan (€25k), Mayo (€23k), Laois (€20k), Offaly (€20k), Kildare (€17k), Leitrim (€16k), Dublin (€12k), Louth (€7.5k), and national projects (€148k).  

Since 2016 IFI has provided €8.9m to different groups and fisheries development experts through its Habitats and Conservation Schemes.  

A list of the 21 successful applicants can be found here.  

Monies for the scheme are generated by the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences, fishing permits, and commercial fishing licences in Ireland.  

The scheme comprises IFI’s Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund, and the Midland Fisheries Fund.