Update below forwarded on from our Environmental Officer, Bríd Lyons.
Coillte Regional Meetings
Coillte has started a series of regional meetings for those with an interest in our publicly-owned forests, some of which are taking place this week - tomorrow, Wednesday 13th in Dunmanway and Cahir, and on Thursday 14th in Horse & Jockey, Tipperary, Portlaoise and Kilkenny. Despite the short notice we hope that Mountaineering Ireland members will avail of this opportunity to express the importance of Coillte forests for recreation and for access to uplands areas. These are afternoon, drop-in meetings, full details, including dates for other locations, on
https://www.mountaineering.ie/aboutus/news/2022/?id=405 Summer Zoom talks on Ireland’s uplands
The Irish Uplands Forum is doing a summer lecture series, 7.30-8.30pm on Tuesday evenings, starting tonight with a talk entitled Geology and Scenery in Ireland – perfect places for Recreation. Other topics include Upland Biodiversity, the Future of Farming in the Uplands, and Cultural Heritage in the Uplands. Full details on
https://irishuplandsforum.org/eventer/summer-zoom-lecture-series-2022/edate/2022-07-12/. These talks are free, email
membership@irishuplandsforum.org to register.
Wicklow Uplands Council AGM
Mountaineering Ireland will be represented at the Wicklow Uplands Council Summer Panel Meeting and AGM in Glendalough at 7pm on Wednesday evening, 13th July. This is a great opportunity to find out about what WUC is doing for people, places and nature in the Wicklow and Dublin uplands. Mountaineering Ireland members are welcome to attend, if you cannot make it, and there's an issue you'd like to raise, please email
helen@mountaineering.ie.
Access at Luggala Estate
Luggala Estate will be closed to public access for a couple of days this week due to filming on the Estate, this affects access to the mountains of Luggala / Fancy and Knocknacloghoge, and the popular route from the Pier Gates down to Lough Dan. Access for responsible walkers and climbers is expected to resume from 8.30am on Friday 15th July. While Luggala Estate is open most of the time, mid-week closures such as this can arise at short notice, follow @luggalaaccess on Twitter to be notified of any future closures.
Valuing recreation in the MacGillycuddy Reeks
The MacGillycuddy Reeks Forum is doing a survey amongst hillwalkers and climbers to put an economic value on what recreation brings to the area. The results of the survey should assist the Forum in making the case for funding to help care for the Reeks and to support the sustainable management of recreation in this important area. Mountaineering Ireland is encouraging members to complete this short survey -
https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=165660163707. Please share this within your club and with others involved in hiking or climbing.
Kerry access updates
There continues to be an access issue affecting much of the Black Valley in Co. Kerry, including Stumpa Dúloigh, Broaghnabinnia and Knocknabreeda. In the same area, anyone who encounters difficulty climbing Purple or Tomies in the Gap of Dunloe is asked to contact
helen@mountaineering.ie. Also in Kerry, there is an access closure on the first part of the Knocknadobar route published in the Irish Peaks book. An alternative start to the Knocknadobar route will be published shortly on the Irish Peaks section of
www.mountaineering.ie.
