"Our mission is to promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of the local environment in partnership with the people who live, work and recreate there."


Young Observers

This new initiative called Young Observers is a project designed for Transition Year (TY) students in county Wicklow. The project commemorates the 10 year anniversary of the Wicklow Uplands Council and the Irish Uplands Forum, who are the main partners in the project. The project is funded by the Heritage Council, Wicklow Rural Partnership, and Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

25 TY students from five secondary schools participated in the Young Observers 2007 project, which was focused on ‘What is countryside recreation all about?’ The project consisted of three elements:

  • Three day residential workshop
  • Action project
  • Presentation

Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation facilitated and hosted the workshop. During the workshop participants visited Wicklow Mountains National Park, Kippure House Estate and the Maguire Farm in Glencullen. Talks on Countryside Recreation in Wicklow/Dublin uplands were part of the workshop. Participants were encouraged to develop their own ideas for an action project, which they presented to the public at Avondale in May 2007. On this occasion each participant received an Adrian Phillips Award certificate. Action projects developed by the school teams include:

  1. Avondale Community College (Rathdrum):

    2. A leaflet promoting recreational activities for local people in Glendalough & Laragh.

  2. St Kilian’s Community School (Bray):

    3. Promotion of hill walking through a guided walk of the Bray Head for 1st year students including Leave No Trace ethics.

  3. St Thomas Community College (Bray):

    4. A talk for junior students on ‘Avoiding conflict between countryside users’ with Ian Davis from the PURE Project and feedback through an art competition and video.

  4. East Glendalough School (Wicklow):

    5. A guide to potential sport and recreational activities in Wicklow uplands.

  5. Pearse College (Dublin 12):

    6. An essential guide to walking the Wicklow Way -  all you need to know.

We believe that this project has the potential to become an important forum for innovative ideas and links with direct benefits to the Wicklow uplands and all involved partners.