Permanent Orienteering Courses Three new permanent orienteering courses were erected Mountain in 2010 at , and Ticknock, bringing the total to 5 sites in the Dublin Mountains. Meitheal Each site has three different levels of course available (beginner, intermediate and advanced) which range in length and technical difficulty. Maps can be volunteers downloaded from the website before you head out to the forest, and on arrival a family can head off and discover orienteering, an exciting, alternative way to explore the forest. At each control point, you record the code visible on the Mountain Meitheal volunteers post in the boxes on your map. The courses at Hell Fire and Carrickgollogan also have an education workbook for primary & secondary schools. Thanks to the local orienteering clubs and county council were back once again working sports partnerships who helped establish these courses. hard in the Dublin Mountains.

This year‟s project involved building TRAIL NEWS a stone pitched trail up towards Fairy UPDATE Castle at Tiknock Forest. Over 126 different volunteers contributed Hell Fire: Two new looped walks have been installed, the Montpelier loop (4km) 1832 hours over 19 days to build and the Forest Loop (5.5km) giving this fantastic new path. people the option of different routes through this lovely forest and amazing All stone to build this trail was found on site views over Dublin city. Tiknock: The and many of the large stones were moved new Fairy Castle loop brings people up manually with a winch. to the masts and on up the newly built In 2009 Mountain Meitheal constructed the stone pitched path to the summit at Fairy Massy‟s link on the Dublin Mountains Castle before heading down to join the Way and the Cruagh Mountain Access Route . Then it heads back towards Tiknock car park alongside the old rifle range. This is bog bridge. Thanks once again to all the an enjoyable 5.5km walk. Rathmichael: The Rathmichael loop through Rathmichael wood takes in volunteers. the lovely views from the rath site over Killiney, Dalkey, Head and the . Welcome to Trailhead — review of 2010 Glenasmole: The Upper Reservoir Walk is a 8.5km looped walk from the Bohernabreena car park If you are interested in volunteering with all the way around the upper reservoir. It is a stunning walk past the dam, spillway and stone Mountain Meitheal visit www.pathsavers.org. Despite the economic doom and gloom, one Research shows that interaction with nature not only channel diverting peaty water to the lower lake. clear message resonates from the Dublin encourages better physical health but has a major impact on mental health and self esteem. Similarly longitudinal

Mountains Partnership project. It is that there studies have shown that children who have access to Dublin is a great appetite amongst the people of forests and nature at a young age are two to three years greater Dublin to get outdoors and get active. ahead, in terms of problem solving and educational attainment, than their peers when they reach their late Mountaineer teens and early twenties. Bus Service Whether its walking or mountain biking, volunteering As we face into the tough economic period ahead, these The Dublin Mountaineer bus service was in operation once again from the end July to early as a ranger or volunteering to build trails, picnicking are remarkable benefits that have an important part to play October. This year there were 3 services from Sandyford Luas (10:00, 12:30, 15:45) and 3 services or just sitting and enjoying the view, 2010 has seen a in maintaining our quality of life over the next decade. It is from Sean Walsh Park, (11:00, 13:15, 16:55) at weekends and bank holidays. huge influx into the hills and forests to enjoy this A hop on hop off daily ticket cost €5 or a family ticket was €12. The service was featured on essential that we tap into as many of these values as Volunteers from GOOGLE were out again remarkable resource on our doorstep. And its that RTE‟s Capital D programme in September. in June 2010 helping the DMP upgrade a possible to improve the quality of life for all who live in or section of the in coming together of the partner organisations and the visit the Greater Dublin Area. The last few years, and 2010 We are currently reviewing the service for 2011 and your input is greatly appreciated — Carrickgollogan. The 20 volunteers helped volunteering effort in a common vision that makes the in particular, have shown what can be achieved when we please complete the short survey on the DMP website. construct water bars and cut back Dublin Mountains Partnership so effective and all work together in a common purpose and we must encroaching vegetation. exciting. The Dublin Mountains Way is testament to redouble our efforts to make the Dublin Mountains a great this effort. place to visit. CONTACT US

DMP Manager c/o Coillte Dublin Road Tel 01 201 1187 Newtownmountkennedy Email [email protected] Co. Wicklow Web www.dublinmountains.ie

THE NEWSLETTER FROM THE DUBLIN MOUNTAINS PARTNERSHIP www.dublinmountains.ie Dublin Mountains Way Launch, 31st October Volunteer Some DMP Events during 2010

twenty years and ,with the formation of the DMP, has now been delivered. Ranger The launch took place at Tiknock Forest and was attended by all the Dublin Mountains Service Partners. At the event David Gunning, CEO, Coillte said: “The proximity of the Dublin Mountains delivers a wonderful amenity for people of all ages. The Dublin Mountains Way provides a challenging long distance hike for the serious walker, and attractive, shorter, day walks for families and casual walkers. This initiative DUBLIN MOUNTAIN PLOD FORESTRY FAMILY FUN DAY NATIONAL TRAILS DAY shows what can be achieved when organisations 18th July, Dublin Mountains 19th September, Tibradden 3rd October, Tiknock with different mandates work together on a common purpose. All the partners must be The DMP and IMRA (Irish Moun- Despite the pours of rain, the 1st Over 150 adults and kids joined complemented on their vision in coming together tain Running Association) hosted forestry family fun day was the DMP for the Trails & Tales and delivering this important infrastructure in an the first Dublin Mountains half amighty success, with over 400 hike up to Fairy Castle for the innovative way despite the difficult economic marathon. The tough scenic route kids and adults attending. There 3rd National Trails Day. En route, situation”. There was great coverage of the started and finished in Marlay was a range of activities for the kids had to collect different event in all the national media and on the RTE Park. Then the route continued up families to try out including den letters which spelt out 5 fairy tale Six One news. Tibradden Lane and into Massy‟s building, field archery (thanks to characters such as Cinderella, On a cold, misty Halloween, the Dublin Through the close cooperation of the partners Wood, along the forest roads Greenhills Archery Club), tree Robin Hood. On reaching the The day started with the opening of the Tallaght Mountains Partnership opened the new long and over 300 different volunteers, the Dublin through Cruagh, and up the identification, using an old cairn at the top of Fairy Castle side of the route by the Mayor of SDCC, distance trail, the Dublin Mountains Way. The Mountains Way route was developed, Tibradden Mountain trail, back cross-cut saw, conkers, the many families stopped for a picnic Councillor Eamonn Maloney. A group of 15 new 43km trail, stretches from Shankill in the waymarked and new sections were constructed. down the Wicklow Way through blindfold string trail, wood and to enjoy the wonderful views enthusiastic runners braved the elements and east to Tallaght in the west, a total of 54km if you The Dublin Mountains Way has been an A strong, enthusiastic and to Marlay Park. products quiz. over Dublin city on the beautiful ran part of the route from Tallaght to Tiknock. include the Hell Fire/Massy‟s spur route. objective in county development plans for over committed team of 26 volunteers Most of the route was on trails sunny day. Everyone had fantastic fun trying and forest roads, with 820 metres are now working with the Dublin their hand at all sorts of forestry Other events in the Dublin of climb. 192 runners participated related activities, and even Mountains included a walk with Mountains Partnership. in the event which was a great learned a few new things such as Mountain Meitheal volunteers success. how to recognise a beech tree, all along some sections of trail they Dublin Mtns In 2010, an additional 16 volunteer The date is set for next year, the different products that come have recently upgraded, orien- rangers were recruited from the local Sunday 17th July, so lots of time from wood. We will definitely be teering at Carrickgollogan and a Map launched... and outdoor communities, bringing to get out training! hosting this event next year. guided walk at Hell Fire. the Volunteer Ranger Service to a fantastic team of 26. Dublin Mountains Way From opening and closing the carparks, promoting the Leave No Trace message, waymarking new2 routes, helping with DMP events, leading the extremely popular guided THE DUBLIN MOUNTAINS WAY IS A CAPTIVATING WALK WITH STUNNING VISTAS walks—the work ethic and enthusiasm of the OF DUBLIN CITY BELOW, A VARIETY OF TERRAIN FROM FOREST, OPEN volunteer rangers is superb and the DMP can- MOUNTAIN, LAKES TO PARKLAND WITH A WEALTH OF HERITAGE FROM MEGA- not thank the team enough. The public is also LITHIC TOMBS TO THE ENGINEERING WONDER OF BOHERNABREENA RESER- very appreciative of the friendly face out on the mountains there to have a chat, or give advice. VOIR. IT IS IDEAL FOR SHORT FAMILY WALKS ALONG SECTIONS OF THE ROUTE NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE OR AS A LONG DISTANCE 2-3 DAY HIKE. “To be invited 0last March to become one of TRAILS AT TIKNOCK the panel of rangers was a great honour - to The start/finish points at either Some of the interesting sites The entire route is waymarked be entrusted with part-guardianship of this The construction of the first designated mountain end can be reached by public along the route include the with the standard national resource and to be able to assist its users bike trail system in the Dublin Mountains is transport. Within a few Fassaroe Cross at Rathmichael, waymark way yellow man. maximise enjoyment of it - a privilege.” said underway at Tiknock and should be completed kilometres of either end, the the Lead Mines tower, Scalp Information about the route one of the new recruits. early in the New Year. This first phase includes walker quickly leaves the city viewpoint, Johnnie Fox‟s pub, and maps are available on the 8km of trails and is being funded by the DMP. 1:25,000 scale map of Dublin suburbs behind and enters the the cairn on Fairy Castle (which DMP website. The Dublin “Thanks so much for telling me about this Mountains highlighting public lands peace and tranquillity of the is the highest point along the Mountains Way was featured hike. I truly enjoyed the experience of hiking "The trails at Tiknock will be fast and fun for those available for recreation, access Glenasmole reservoir or route at 537m), the bronze age 1 on the RTE series Tracks and through the Dublin Mountains, the rangers with some level of experience already. There will points, car parks, and recreation woodlands of Rathmichael and burial at Tibradden, the beautiful Trails in August. where excellent. Also, I am looking forward to be large rock slabs, big grade reversals, technical facilities including the Dublin Carrickgollogan. Scots pine and larch woods at meeting some of the members of this hiking „twisty bits‟ and fast flowing descents with plenty Mountains Way. Tibradden and Cruagh, the old Get out and enjoy this beautiful Very few cities have such a group again. I also hope to become more of opportunity to get airborne! The design of the Metro Building Contractors from Wexford are Massy‟s estate and Hell Fire new trail across the Dublin It is now available from wonderful resource on their knowledgeable about these routes, as I would 8 km of trails will appeal to a broad range of building the trails. The DMP is currently trying to Club, St. Ann‟s graveyard and Mountains. www.eastwestmapping.ie or doorstep, and very few walks love to take my 'overseas' visitors and show mountain bikers and will be graded from moderate secure more funding for 2011 to further develop the engineering wonder of the bookshops & outdoor shops have such diversity of them the marvellous Dublin Mountains” was to very challenging,” said Daithi deForge of Coillte these trails. This project is a very welcome Bohernabreena reservoir. landscape, heritage and vistas. the email received0 from a lady who joined one Recreation Team who designed the trails. development by the mountain bike community. of the guided walks.