Wicklow Uplands Council is an independent voluntary organisation representing over 50 diverse member groups and individuals in the Wicklow Uplands
Wicklow Trails
The Wicklow/Dublin uplands are renowned as a spectacular area due to the diversity and quality of its landscape. Throughout this spectacular landscape there are numerous waymarked trails which cater for recreational users of all abilities. To demonstrate just some of what the Wicklow/Dublin uplands has to offer and the range of walking trails available a very small sample of trails are listed below.
SUAS Pilot Project
The ‘Sustainable Uplands Agriculture-environment Scheme (SUAS)’ pilot project aims to use innovative means to develop practical and innovative solutions that will address the complex agricultural, environmental and socio-economic challenges associated with the land management of commonages and hill farms in the Wicklow/Dublin uplands.
Events
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On Thursday, in the village of Lacken close to the shoreline of the Blessington Lakes, invited guest and members of the local community gathered for the official unveiling of a new Heritage Interpretative Panel depicting the rich heritage found throughout the area.
Lacken, which sits on the slopes of the Wicklow Mountains along the picturesque Lake Drive, witnessed dramatic changes to its landscape and to the community itself, as the valley was flooded to create the Poulaphoucha Reservoir, also known as the Blessington Lakes, in the late 1930’s.
The damming of the valley and the loss of 5,500 acres, was due to an ambitious joint project by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Dublin City Council to generate electricity and fresh water to Dublin’s growing population.
The landscape is covered in examples of early settlements. with Megalithic tombs, bullaun stones and caves. Churches and bridges made from the Wicklow granite that the area is renowned for along with the now submerged, St Boden’s Holy Well, are all highlighted within the colourful artwork.
Its installation next to the old shop, follows months of research to identify the key natural and built heritage features before being brought vividly to life with a specially commissioned art piece created by renowned designer Paul Francis.
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The morning event began across the road, on the grounds of the former schoolhouse, which now serves the local community as a bustling community centre. Under sunshine, the attendees were treated to tea, coffee and home baked goods before a few presentations were given to provide an overview and context of the project that’s been collaboratively developed with the Lacken Community Development Association (LCDA).
Brian Dunne Coordinator of Wicklow Uplands Council began by introducing the countywide Heritage Interpretative Project that commenced in 2008 and detailed the positive impact it has had to the participating towns and villages. Brian thanked all of the stakeholders and congratulated the community group for their ongoing efforts to discover and promote their heritage for the benefit of the community and the growing number of visitors attracted to the area.
Local Councillor Gerry O’Neill welcomed its arrival and spoke of the recent development of the mass path and the future greenway, and how they were already experiencing greater numbers of recreational user to the hills and roads before adding his voice of congratulations to all involved.
Alfie Zeller of the Lacken Community Development Association gave a fascinating whirlwind account of the heritage features profiled on the panel and added more detail and personal accounts of how the community had evolved over the last century.
With the excitement building, the group crossed the road to share in the moment as some of the local children revealed the panel to the applause of the assembled crowd.
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Wicklow Uplands Council would like to wholeheartedly thank and congratulate the Lacken Community Development Association and the local contributors for the enthusiastic development of the project. Both Diana Gallagher and Alfie Zeller of the LCDA generously devoted considerable time to research and develop the intrinsic and informative details featured on the panel.
The community group are in the midst of planning an extensive redevelopment of the community centre and have just completed the reinstatement of the historic Mass Paths that begin very close to the Heritage Interpretative Panel. These two key projects are sure to welcome more visitors and create a wonderful hub of activity for the kind-hearted community and the Council wish them the very best with their implementation.
We would also like to thank the local community, members of Wicklow Uplands Council, members of Wicklow County Council, Evelyn Murray of County Wicklow Partnership, Cathaoirleach of Baltinglass Municipal District, Patsy Glennon, Councillors Avril Cronin and Gerry O'Neill for joining us to celebrate the occasion of its unveiling.
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The Lacken panel is the second of three to be unveiled in County Wicklow this summer, following a similar event in Shillelagh. Ashford Tidy Towns Committee are busy organising the final touches to their planned event with details to be announced soon.
Since 2008, Wicklow Uplands Council has worked with a number of local communities to develop the network of interpretative panels which promote and raise awareness of the natural and built heritage found in the towns and villages throughout County Wicklow.
The ongoing project relies on strong community participation with each group researching and discovering the key heritage features found in their locality. The addition of the three panels to the villages of Shillelagh, Lacken and Ashford in 2020, will bring the growing network to sixteen.
This project is a partnership between village communities, Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Uplands Council . The funding for these three units was made possible with the kind assistance from County Wicklow Partnership (LEADER). Previous panels received funding allocations from The Heritage Council and the Department for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Local communities also contribute to the cost of the panel.
Community groups interested in participating in the project should contact Wicklow Uplands Council. www.WicklowUplands.ie
#Lacken #CelebratingHeritage
#WicklowUplands #WicklowOutdoors #IrelandsAncientEast
// New Car Park Facility At Luggala //
A new car park facility has opened close to the Luggala estate/ Lough Tay (Guinness Lake) in the Wicklow uplands this weekend.
FREE to use, it is OPEN on weekends only from 9am-6pm.
This announcement follows the recent opening of a similar parking facility in the village of Laragh to serve visitors to Laragh, Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains National Park and nearby walking trails.
Wicklow Uplands Council calls upon members of the public to avail of these facilities and to not park on double yellow lines or in gateways and entrances to forests, farms, private residences or commercial premises.
Garda Siochana Wicklow will continue to monitor roads and visitor locations across the uplands with parking enforcement measures such as towing and ticketing operations likely should motorists park in an irresponsible manner.
Congratulations and thanks to the landowner, Cllr. Shay Cullen, Wicklow County Council and the stakeholders whose collective efforts have created a solution to the growing safety concerns related to the high number of visitors to the Luggala area.
#wicklowuplands #wicklowoutdoors
#enjoytheuplands #luggala
Why are car parks closed after 6 PM. No one is going to steal it. Also it puts pressure on people who are delayed on the hills and this could lead to accidents.
Absolutely agree. There were crowds up in Glenmalure-Ballinafunshoge and Baravore car parks yesterday and today. Where is the social distancing and why are the police not helping to clear the area when we really need their help
Their all up in glenmalure causing chaos now !!!!
Need to do something for the people of glenmalure.. it’s beyond a joke there..
