A 2009 County Council-commissioned survey of Rathcormac identified four instances of Japanese Knotweed in the village area and further survey work by Tidy Towns volunteers identified seven additional sites in the immediate area. In response, the Tidy Towns Committee, with Sligo Heritage Office support, commenced a spraying programme to eradicate the plant from the village area.
The project entailed consultation with Council staff and local landowners, whose permission was required before spraying could commence. Annual spraying of identified sites with glyphosate will continue for several years until the plant has been eradicated. Spraying will occur during the growing season, i.e. late summer when flowering occurs, and spraying records will be maintained as part of the ongoing project.
A 19th century arrival from the Far East, Japanese Knotweed is one of Ireland’s most invasive alien species. This tall, upright plant grows up to 10cm a day, is easily spread and extremely difficult to eradicate as uninformed actions can actually encourage further growth and spread.
