Wicklow Mountain Views THE NEWSLETTER OF WICKLOW UPLANDS COUNCIL WINTER / SPRING 2018/19 of what would become one of the most important and valued relationships of Wicklow Uplands Council. It was this early and constant support It has been an sharing their experiences and to build from Michael and the Heritage Council, exceptionally partnerships. that in many ways has allowed us to busy time for grow into the thriving organisation that Wicklow Uplands A delegation from the Uplands Council we see today. The funding and expert Council. In attended the informative Irish Uplands guidance that the Heritage Council addition to quite Forum Conference held in Co. Mayo devote to Ireland’s upland communities a number of in October - appropriately titled and their representative organisations is important projects “Innovation and Partnership in the invaluable and we are deeply grateful for and initiatives Uplands”. This certainly set the stage for their ongoing support. After 22 years at gathering pace, the series of nationwide study visits that the helm, Michael retired at the end of we have recently soon followed, with Wicklow Uplands January 2019 and I would like to extend seen the official Council hosting three upland community our sincere thanks and wish him all the launch of two groups who came to Wicklow in October best in future endeavours. large projects. and November. For Wicklow Uplands Council, it was a trip to Kerry to join the On behalf of all the members of Wicklow In November, details of the Sustainable MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Uplands Council, I would also like to Uplands Agri-environment Scheme Forum. The group visited Cronin’s Yard warmly welcome Virginia Teehan, who (SUAS) Pilot Project were revealed at a and viewed the works which are taking commenced the role of Chief Executive special event that saw Minister Andrew place to develop sustainable mountain of The Heritage Council this month. Doyle and Michael Starrett, CEO of access routes in The Reeks. There was Virginia’s arrival comes at an exciting the Heritage Council give the keynote also plenty of discussion surrounding time for the council as it implements speeches. The scale and potential of the the EIP projects which both groups are a 5-year strategic plan set to place 5-year project to change the approach to involved in. heritage at the heart of Irish society and upland farming in Ireland is extraordinary, decision-making. something that has been reflected in the Maintaining and developing sustainable great interest it has received. trails across the uplands is one of the key Representing our diverse membership areas the Council is involved in and we on a range of issues remains at the heart The other large project that commenced welcome the exciting announcement of our focus. in 2018, is the three year contract to of funding for the construction of the develop and implement a sustainable Avonmore Way Link Bridge - a major The need for responsible dog control deer management plan for County milestone in the vision for a long distance in farmland areas is unfortunately a Wicklow. Working in conjunction with the trail linking Bray to Woodenbridge. constant challenge for farmers and is Wicklow Deer Management Partnership, one that the Uplands Council continues this project will set up three new deer Working in partnership with the Heritage to highlight vigorously. Our involvement management units in the county. Office of Wicklow County Council, the with the Wicklow Joint Policing Wicklow Heritage Recording Project Committee to reduce incidents of rural Both of these projects follows an has discovered and captured an array crime and car break-ins across the region enormous amount of work over an of material on the heritage found along continues and we thank all of the upland extended period of time. I would like this long distance route. Abarta Heritage communities for their vigilance to take this opportunity to acknowledge who were commissioned to undertake and thank all that were involved in the the project, have delivered some Finally, I would like to thank our Board, various stages. The delivery of both amazing results and I thank them for members, staff, funders, supporters and projects has expanded the work and their tireless work those who have contributed in making visibility of the Council considerably and it possible for the Wicklow Uplands we should be very proud of the collective The early days of Wicklow Uplands Council to undertake the varied work achievement it represents. Council also coincided with the that fills these pages. formation of The Heritage Council, which Aside from our own activities, it has was established as a statutory body also been a busy time for the upland under the Heritage Act in 1995. The Tom Byrne, communities right across Ireland with a arrival of its charismatic Chief Executive, Chair, Wicklow Uplands Council number of important events taking place Michael Starrett, to Roundwood the designed to facilitate upland groups following year, marked the beginning Wicklow Mountain Views – The Newsletter of Wicklow Uplands Council Issue Number 29: Winter / Spring 2018/19 Published by: Wicklow Uplands Council Clg Edited by: Conor Hipwell The Pure Mile Competition The PURE Project is a community a success, an annual Gala Awards Council, Cllr. Pat Vance. Coming from centered project which helps raise Night is organised at the conclusion all over Wicklow and South Dublin. awareness about illegal dumping and of the competition, with each group the impact it has on the environment. receiving an invite. Each one of the participating groups One of the huge successes of the received a Pure Mile Certificate, a project is the Pure Mile Competition, selection of native Irish trees and a community initiative which all feature in the 2019 Pure Mile encourages a diverse range of groups Calendar. Additionally, 13 awards in Wicklow and South Dublin to adopt were presented on the night with cash a mile, or miles, of rural roadside or prizes reaching a total of €5,000. other natural settings. I would like to offer my sincere thanks The Pure Mile is the perfect to all that took part in the competition opportunity for communities and and continue to support the work of groups who want to make a positive the Pure Project. The collective efforts contribution to their locality and of so many are a true inspiration to environment. It inspires them to come everyone focused on keeping our together to improve and enhance uplands and local areas in the pristine the place they live or recreate in, and condition they deserve to be found in. instills a sense of community pride The gala event for the 2018 and the discovery of local heritage. competition was held in October at Ian Davis, The Brooklodge Hotel, Macreddin Project Manager of The Pure Project. In recent years, the addition of the Village, and it saw a large audience ‘Clean-Up The Uplands’ category has gather to discover which groups were proved to be a very popular choice for to receive one of the awards on the For more information on the Pure special interest groups such as scouts, night. The awards and certificates Project and its initiatives, which recreational activities like cycling, were presented by Mr. Andrew Doyle., includes education in the classroom running and walking clubs and with Minister of State for Food, Forestry and engagement through music, businesses and organisations keen and Horticulture; Frank Curran, CE theatre and animation, please visit to embrace social responsibility of Wicklow County Council; and the www.pureproject.ie practices. The category asks that they Cathaoirleach for Wicklow County adopt a mile of road, a woodland, an upland car park, a mountainscape or a trail in the Wicklow/Dublin Uplands. The 2018 competition saw over 50 communities, groups, clubs, scouts, primary schools, businesses and organisations, participate in the various categories. Together they collectively improved and enhanced over 220 miles of road, mountains, valleys, forestries, woodlands, upland amenities and beaches, with the removal of around 3,000 bags of rubbish. To acknowledge and celebrate the many participants who devote so much to ensuring their Pure Mile is Winner of the Best Pure Mile Award 2018 The Baltynanima Pure Mile Group in the area. The group have also received the Best Pure Mile Award for created a website full of information, 2018 along with a cheque for €1,000. photographs and a news blog that keeps their community informed The Baltynanima Pure Miles of upcoming events and local encompass over 3 miles that are set developments. around a rectangular circuit which is a very popular walking route with The award acknowledged the group’s commanding views of many of the interpretative methods relating to their upland peaks. cultural and natural heritage, including a number of locally made informational The community group produced panels placed along the looped walk. an attractive local heritage booklet outlining the flora and fauna and For more information, please see: The Baltynanima Pure Mile Group, numerous heritage features found www.PureMileRoundwood.com Winner of the Best Pure Mile Award 2018. To Report Illegal Dumping LO–CALL 1850 365 121 02 Celebrating National Heritage Week 2018 Each year, during the last week of August, many national and local community organisations participate in Heritage Week by organising events designed to discover and celebrate the natural, built and cultural heritage that surrounds each of us. 2018’s Heritage Week, acknowledged the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH), which encouraged us to ‘Share a Story - Make a Connection’ to deepen our connection between people and our heritage. Over 2,000 events and activities were included in the nationwide programme, including two very popular events organised by the Wicklow Uplands Council.