Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is advancing the River Dodder Barrier Mitigation Project, a major environmental initiative aimed at improving fish passage, restoring natural river processes, and enhancing ecological resilience along one of Dublin’s most important urban rivers. Six historic weirs between Donnybrook and Dartry—Beaver Row, Smurfit/Clonskeagh, Milltown Drop Weirs, Milltown Apartments Weir, and Dropping Well Weir have long restricted the upstream movement of Atlantic salmon, sea trout, European eel, lamprey species, and other native fish. 

The Consultancy Contract for the River Dodder Barrier Mitigation Project was awarded in March 2026. The feasibility and options selection phase of the project has commenced. It is noted that two of the weirs suffered damage during the 25/26 winter flood event. Ecology surveys are ongoing.