Search

31 Mar 2026

Reeling in support: funding helps Co Derry anglers club restore river habitats

ERG UK Holding Ltd (ERG) has awarded a total of £8,000 to Agivey Anglers Club in Garvagh

Reeling in support: funding helps Co Derry anglers club restore river habitats

Paddy McCusker, Committee Member, David McLaughlin, Chairman, Michaela O’Neill Member, Anthony O’Neill, Treasurer, Cayden O’Neill, Member, Jeremy Graham, Committee Member and Fishery Bailiff.

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

31 Mar 2026 6:30 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

ERG, independent renewable energy producer, has awarded £8,000 to a County Derry anglers club as part of the 2023 and 2025 Evishagaran and Craiggore Community Benefit Fund.
The fund, which launched in 2023, has supported 32 local community groups to date, with the 2026-27 round now open, with applications closing on 16 April 2026.
Established in 1973, the Agivey Anglers Club, near Garvagh, plays a central role in managing, conserving and improving salmon and trout habitats and fishing along the River Agivey.
With over 400 members ranging from five years old to those in their 80s, the club represents a broad cross-section of the local community and continues to promote outdoor activity while protecting and celebrating nature.
The club received £4,000 in 2023 and a further £4,000 in 2025 to support the Agivey Habitat Improvement Project, focusing on regenerating and maintaining salmon spawning beds in feeder streams.
This welcome support enabled investment in essential equipment and materials while improving river access and supporting long-term conservation.
David McLaughlin, Chairman of Agivey Anglers Club, said: “The support from the Community Benefit Fund has been absolutely vital for us. With over 400 members spanning generations, it’s so important that we keep the river accessible and sustainable for everyone.
“The funding has allowed us to carry out essential habitat improvement work, including restoring spawning beds for salmon. It’s constant work but it’s what keeps the river going. Without support like this from ERG, we simply couldn’t afford to do it.
“All we want to do is keep the river healthy and ensure it’s there for future generations.”
Melissa Falconer, Head of Business Development UK at ERG, said: “At ERG, we are committed to creating long-term value in the communities where we operate, and the Community Benefit Fund is an important part of that.
“Agivey Anglers Club is a fantastic example of a local organisation making a meaningful impact, protecting the natural environment, supporting biodiversity, conservation and bringing people together through shared outdoor experiences.”
Orla Black, Director of Grants and Fund Development at Community Foundation Northern Ireland, said: “The Community Benefit Fund for the Evishagaran and Craiggore wind farms continues to support projects that are making a real difference across rural communities.
“The work of Agivey Anglers Club highlights the importance of community-led environmental initiatives, helping to protect natural habitats while also creating opportunities for people of all ages to embrace being outdoors. We’re pleased to administer funding that enables their work, and that of other local groups, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact in the next funding round.”
 

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!

Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.

Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Most Popular

Sponsored Content

Multimedia

We've got Donegal Covered...

Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie

Buy a paper

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Buy Now
Get the news

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.

Register Now
Iconic Media is Ireland's largest independently owned regional newspaper and media group, with an unrivalled audience in print, online and mobile. We have 19 regional newspapers and 21 digital sites.

Iconic Digital Titles

  • Carlow Live
  • Clare Live
  • Derry Now
  • Donegal Live
  • Éire Bheo
  • Inish Live
  • Ireland Live
  • Kildare Live
  • Kildare Now
  • Kilkenny Live
  • Laois Live
  • Leitrim Live
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Live
  • Longford Live
  • Louth Live
  • Mayo Live
  • Nenagh Live
  • Offaly Live
  • Tipperary Live
  • Waterford Live

    • Iconic Print Titles

  • Clonmel Nationalist
  • County Derry Post
  • Derry News
  • Donegal Democrat
  • Donegal Post
  • Dundalk Democrat
  • Homes in Donegal
  • Inish Times
  • Kilkenny People
  • Leinster Express
  • Leinster Leader
  • Leitrim Observer
  • Letterkenny Live
  • Limerick Leader
  • Longford Leader
  • Mayo News
  • Midland Tribune
  • Tipperary Star
  • Tullamore Tribune

    • This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.

    © 2026 Iconic Media