Episode 9: I will go to Aarhus and speak for the swans

In this episode, we speak with Doris Noe, who together with her husband Chris Murphy, has fought for years against the building of a dual carriageway through wetlands between the freshwater lakes of Lough Neagh and Lough Beg. These lakes and the lands around them form precious wildlife habitats of international environmental significance. For 100s of years, Whooper swans have overwintered in pastureland after migrating from Iceland, feeding on the lush grass from October to April. Despite strong public protest and overwhelming scientific evidence for the need to protect these wetland habitats, alternative routes along were rejected in favour of 4 miles of new dual carriageway built, with no requirement for planning permission, north of an existing route and further fragmenting this special landscape. We discuss how Doris Noe, who together with her husband Chris Murphy, fought for years against the building of the road. We talk about birds, place, Seamus Heaney who grew up here, the finality of extinction and why Doris and Chris are still fighting for justice for these beautiful birds. Some resources about Doris’ cause: Controversial new A6 will brutalise Heaney country, says petitionhttps://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/controversial-new-a6-will-brutalise-heaney-country-says-petition/35027236.html Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland: Fighting for nature in a corner of Co. Downhttp://www.natures-keepers.org/northernireland/portfolio/doris-noe-chris-murphy/ Ecocide in Heaney Country https://vimeo.com/415894558A6 upgrade: Environmentalist loses bid over 'Heaney' roadhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-39408566Actor Stephen Rea calls route through Lough Beg wetlands 'beyond stupid'https://www.change.org/p/save-heaney-country-ecocideinheaneycountry/u/22402952