Wicklow Uplands Council

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Monday night saw a full house at the Wicklow Uplands Council’s AGM and Panel Meeting event in the Glendalough Hotel.
Beginning at 7pm, the evening first held a joint session of all four of its panels, which provide a wonderful opportunity for networking and discussion amongst the various representatives and to make nominations to the Council’s Board of Directors.

The four panels are central to the Council’s role as a collective voice to the upland communities of Wicklow and Dublin by representing those that live, work and enjoy recreational activities there.

The panels which represent the diverse interests are – Community, Economic & Tourism, Environment & Recreation and Farming & Land Owners.

Lots was discussed by the individual groups including identifying some live issues and some possible solutions, before being presented to everyone in attendance at the AGM.

The Community Panel, which looks at wide ranging issues affecting upland communities, concluded that issues such as poor broadband, rural crime and rural isolation needs to be highlighted further. The impact of additional windfarm operations in the uplands were considered to be detrimental to the landscapes and the communities, although there was some positive discussion about the formation of energy group schemes in the uplands.

The Farming and Landowning Panel spoke of the ongoing issue of responsible dog control, in particular on open mountain where sheep are grazing. Rural crime prevention was keenly discussed and the panel welcomed the news that three new Garda liaison officers had been assigned to the county.
The installation of CCTV close to key roads such as the Sally Gap, was suggested as a possible measure to tackle incidents of rural crime.

There was widespread disappointment expressed by the panel that the controlled burning season was not extended in March, despite the provisions found in the recently enacted Heritage Act.

The Economic and Tourism Panel gave a warm welcome to a number of exciting developments in the region including the announcement of funding for the Blessington Greenway, the opening of the Miners Way trail, the remedial works on St. Kevin’s Way and the arrival of the international EcoTrail race event to the uplands in September.

Challenges such as a shortage of accommodation for visitors and the reports of overcapacity at the monastic site of Glendalough during peak times, were also noted.

The Environment & Recreation Panel spoke of the recently opened public consultation on dog control legislation and how it represented an opportunity to address the ongoing issue. The need for forest barriers to be closed to avoid anti-social behaviour and incidents of illegal dumping and the appropriateness of motorised bikes on upland terrain were also discussed.

The huge success and positive impact of the PURE Project and its initiatives such as the Pure Mile Competition, were acknowledged by all in attendance. It was expressed that project was essential to not only maintaining the region’s pristine environment but to building community groups and providing educational awareness to the heritage in the uplands.

There was a widespread welcome to the 183 bus service operating between Glendalough and Wicklow Town, although it was shared that its popularity has led to great demand on the printed timetables and that more copies may need to be distributed.

Following a quick break for refreshments, the AGM commenced at 8pm with our Chair Tom Byrne, welcoming everyone in attendance, some of whom had travelled from surrounding counties to participate. He shared that the organisation’s representation of the growing communities that live, work and recreate in the Wicklow and Dublin Uplands, meant that the organisation was working at the maximum of its available resources.

Tom also shared that there was a need for the Council to obtain sustainable core funding and for the expansion of staff at the organisation’s office in Roundwood to support the scale and diversity of projects and initiatives currently being undertaken by the Council.

Brian Dunne, the Coordinator of the Council, then gave an extensive overview of the multitude of projects and initiatives; including the SUAS Pilot Project, Deer Management Project, the Village Heritage Interpretative Panels, new and existing trail development and the administration of the Pure Project.

The keynote address of the evening was given by Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, who complimented the Council on its extensive efforts to represent all of the communities across the uplands.

Minister Doyle drew special attention to one of the key projects the council has developed over a number of years, the SUAS Pilot Project, which is working with the farming community to support hill farming and commonage groups in the uplands.

He noted that as one of only 23 projects to receive funding through the EIP-AGRI initiative, it has generated considerable interest across the EU through its involvement with conferences and the hosting of an EU Delegation recently visiting the area.

The Roundwood based TD, shared that the Council had been successful in its tender for the competitive Deer Management Project, due to well established reputation and wide skill set to undertake large scale projects.

Minister Doyle affirmed his support to the Council and our efforts to source sustainable core funding and kindly offered his assistance in its search.

Thank you to all that attended the event and contributed to the Panel Meetings and the AGM. We would also very much like to extend our sincere thanks to Minister Doyle for his keynote address and continued support.

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