4 Scenic Routes

APPENDIX 4 SCENIC ROUTES 120 Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 121121 1. Views of Old Kilcullen, from the R418 softly undulating topography. Existing conifer 7. Views of Blessington Lake; N81 from continues east of Ballymore and long-distance Motorway Interchange to South of tree plantations add complexity to the otherwise Poulaphuca Bridge to County Boundary at views of the Poulaphuca Lake and the Wicklow Moortown House. smooth terrain and plain vistas. Bishopslane and from the County Boundary at Mountains can be obtained at certain points. Glassing to County Boundary at Glebe. Location: Knockbounce, Old Kilcullen, Hacklow, Halverstown Location: Bishopslane, Crosscoolharbour, 4. Views of the Curragh Plains including Little 10. Views of the West Plains on the Oughterard Pipershall, Hempstown, Common Glebe East, Extensive and open views of the undulating lands Curragh, County Road from Kildare Town Road (L2009). Glemore, Barrettstown boundary to Military Ranges, R413 from are available from the R418, when looking north Location: Bishopscourt Lower, Boston towards Old Kilcullen village. The commonly Kildare Town Boundary to the Motorway Open and extensive views of Blessington Lake smooth terrain of the area allows for long- Interchange. are available from the N81 national road that Extensive vistas of the Kildare plains are available distance vistas of this part of the county, whilst Location: Curraghfarm, Strawhall, Curragh, Little runs near to the eastern county boundary. The from the L2009 local road that runs through the existing topography and vegetation (e.g. Curragh highly scenic vistas to the lake are framed by the Oughterard. The elevated nature of the lands in hedgerows and scattered trees) add complexity Wicklow Mountains, which define the skyline in the area allows open and long-distance vistas of to the views and partially screen the highly Local roads south of the Curragh allow vistas the distance. The gently undulating topography of the lowlands to the west. An existing powerline scenic vistas. Nevertheless both the hill south onto the racecourse lands as well as the military the area and the significance of the water feature significantly, however locally, affects the quality of the of Old Kilcullen and the Wicklow Mountains in camp and ranges. The land softly undulates at Poulaphuca Bridge provide high scenic and views. Nevertheless, and despite the scattered housing the distance to the east remain always visible, throughout and gently rises on the eastern section amenity value to this viewpoint. that occurs throughout the plains, the extensive defining the skyline when viewed from any of the road, limiting the extent of the views. Scrub character of the views provides highly scenic vistas. section along the designated road. Although vegetation (i.e. gorse) and conifer forests add scattered housing is located along the local roads, complexity to the otherwise smooth terrain. 8. Views of Bogland Plains; L3002 from vistas remain generally unaffected. Kilmoney Cross Roads to FeighCullen Cross 11. Views of the Upland Areas on the Oughterard Roads at Boston Hill. Road (L6018). 5. Views of Moate and Ardscull, R418 from Location: Bostoncommon, Drinnastown, Location: Pluckerstown, Oughterard, 2. Views to the East of Yellowbogcommon, from Russelstown Cross Roads to Kilmead. Kilmoney North Castlewarden North the M9 Motorway Interchange to Halverstown Location: Tullygorey, Aghanure, Ardscull, Cross Roads. Youngstown Extensive views are available from the L3002 local The L6018 local road that runs through Oughterard provides scenic vistas of the Location: Yellowbogcommon, Glebe South road that runs on the western slopes of Boston Long distance views towards Moate and Ardscull Hill. The elevated nature of the road allows open undulating lands at the County Boundary, as As a result of the flat topography in this area of are available from the R418 national road (north and long-distance vistas of the Kildare bogland well as views of the Wicklow Mountains in the the County, extensive vistas are available along of Athy). The flat topography of the area and the and agricultural plains. distance. The elevated nature of the road and the designated section of the former N9 (now apparent elevation of the R418, allow for extensive the existing low vegetation of the agricultural the R448). The generally smooth terrain and the and long-distance visibility of the surrounding Although the scenic quality of the views can lands allow long-distance visibility. The generally low-lying vegetation provide little screening environs. The existing vegetation throughout the be classified as high, an existing quarry affects smooth terrain is interrupted by hedgerows and and thus allow open and long-distance visibility. agricultural lands and the hilltops that define the certain sections of the designated scenic road. conifer forests. Although scattered housing occurs The ridgelines of the Wicklow Mountains define skyline to the west, add complexity to the high Nevertheless, due to the extensive nature of the throughout the area, these are partially screened the skyline and the extent of the available views. scenic quality of the available views. views and the generally rural character of the by existing vegetation. Thus, the vistas available The rural landscape character of the area and the area, the visual amenity obtained from this drive from the road remain generally unaffected. limited amount of occurring development, prove remains generally unaffected. to be the key for the scenic and visual amenity 6. Views of Robertstown Countryside and Views value of the views obtained from this section of across the Canal. 12. Views West of the Kildare Plains from Redbog 9. Views of the River Liffey; R411 Liffey Bridge at Area and Views towards Caureen; from the former N9 (R448). Location: Mylerstown, Lowtown, Littletown, Ballymore Eustace to Cross Roads Boundary at Rathmore Cross Roads to Pipershall. Derrymullen, Robertstown East Silverhill Upper Townland. Location: Greenmount, Redbog, Pipershall, The local road running parallel to the Grand Canal 3. Views of the Curragh Plains, from the M7 Location: Broadleas Commons, Bishopsland Rathmore West Interchange to St. Ledgers Bottoms. when approaching Robertstown, allows scenic views onto the surrounding countryside. The The existing vegetation along the riverbanks The local road that runs through Rathmore provides Location: St. Ledgers Bottoms, Curragh rural character of the landscape and the existing generally screens views to the River Liffey from scenic vistas of the Kildare plains to the southwest Extensive and open views are available from the bog remnant on the outskirts of the town provide the R411 regional route. Nevertheless, vistas to the and the undulating lands at the County Boundary former N7 national road (now the R445) that runs visual amenity and remain unaffected by the river valley can be described as scenic. to the southeast. The elevated nature of the road development that exists in the vicinity. The local and the generally low hedgerows and vegetation of through the Curragh racecourse, east of Kildare The R411 also allows scenic vistas to the Wicklow roads also allow open and extensive vistas of the the agricultural lands allow long-distance visibility. town. The generally smooth terrain and the lack Mountains when looking to the east. The surrounding countryside. These local roads are Although scattered rural housing is located in of hedgerows allow for long-distance vistas, the mountains determine the extent of visibility as signposted as Kildare tourist routes. the area, these are partially screened by existing extent of which however, is restricted by the well as defining the skyline. The land gently slopes vegetation. The views available from hedge opening towards adjacent hills dominated by pasturelands along the road remain unaffected. with low hedgerows and scattered trees. The road 122 Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 Kildare County Development Plan 2017-2023 123 13. Views to the River Liffey on the R413 16. Views of the Chair of Kildare and Views of 19. Views of the Canal, River Slate and 22. Views to the North-West of the open from Brannockstown Cross Roads to Central Kildare Plains and Boglands on the surrounding countryside from R414 countryside; from Kilteel Village to Ballymore Eustace. R415 and adjoining Roads. at Rathangan Rathmore Village. Location: Rochestown, Gaganstown, Ardenode Location: Grange Common, Blakestown, Location: Bonaghmore, Kilmoney North, Location: Furryhill, Kilteel Lower, Rathmore East East, Ballymore Eustace West. Conlanstown, Canonstown, Carrickanearla Mullantine, Mount Prospect, Newtown Open and extensive views of the surrounding Vistas on the R413 Regional Road towards Open and long-distance vistas of the agricultural The R414 Regional Road provides scenic views lowlands are available to the west, whilst views Ballymore Eustace remain highly scenic and lands and boglands of the central Kildare onto the Grand Canal, the River Slate and the onto the hilltops are provided to the east. The unaffected as no development disrupts the plains are provided from the R415 regional surrounding countryside south of Rathangan undulating nature of the lowlands in this part available views. The rural character of the area road and adjacent local roads. As a result of the village. The scenic and amenity value of both of the county and the existing hedgerows with provides scenic amenity value to the

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