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.
The Avonmore Way
The Avonmore Way is a new walking route which follows a mixture of minor road and forest tracks and trails. Beginning in Trooperstown car park the […]
Tinahely Loop Walks
The village of Tinahely lies in the south of Co Wicklow just over an hour from Dublin. The village provides a fantastic base to explore the […]
![The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s oldest and most popular long distance walking route and offers a range of terrain and stunning landscapes [...]](https://wicklowuplands.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/wicklow-way-1200-1024x678.jpg)
The Wicklow Way
The Wicklow Way is Ireland’s oldest and most popular long distance walking route and offers a range of terrain and stunning landscapes […]
![The Sugar Loaf Way starts at Kilmacanogue at the 1916 Commemorative Garden close to Kilmacanogue village. Crossing the R755 this trail winds its way [...]](https://wicklowuplands.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/blog-05-1024x683.jpg)
The Sugar Loaf Way
The Sugar Loaf Way starts at Kilmacanogue at the 1916 Commemorative Garden close to Kilmacanogue village. Crossing the R755 this trail winds its way […]
The St Kevin’s Way
St Kevin’s Way is a 30km trail beginning in Hollywood or Valleymount in West Wicklow and finishing in Glendalough. Following the death of St Kevin in […]
![There are a number of beautiful trails around the reservoir with thriving wildlife, flora, fauna and mountain views [...]](https://wicklowuplands.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Sunset-at-Vartry-Ger-Roe-1024x683.jpg)
Roundwood Reservoir Vartry Trails
There are a number of beautiful trails around the reservoir with thriving wildlife, flora, fauna and mountain views […]
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.
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Shocked to learn of the closure of the Zig-Zags in Glenmalure followed an assault carried out on the landowner!
See Full statement below:
***Glenmalure’s ‘Zig-Zags’ Walking Trail Closed to the Public***
The well-known Zig-Zags walking track in Glenmalure has been closed to the public following an assault carried out on the landowner.
The popular route, which is located entirely on private lands, provided access from the base of Carrawaystick Waterfall towards Lugnaquilla.
The Zig-Zags was an ‘Agreed Access Route’, facilitated through a formal Permissive Access Agreement between the landowner, Pat Dunne and County Wicklow Partnership.
First developed in 2007, Pat was one of the first landowners in the country to permit an agreed access route across his lands and is widely respected among the recreational community for his efforts.
However, following a physical incident with a hiker on the 19th March, Pat and the Dunne family have taken the difficult decision to close public access with immediate effect.
Speaking about the closure Pat Dunne said ‘I want it known that for the last 16 years we have permitted open access to Lugnaquilla via the Zig Zags. The track and open mountain lands immediately above are private property. The only request in return for open access to our land was that NO DOGS were brought onto the mountain due to the disturbance they can cause to livestock. It is not an unreasonable request as we have had many instances of sheep being mauled by dogs on the mountain’.
He continued ‘However, over the years we have had many instances of verbal abuse with people as they ignored signage asking that dogs were not brought onto our lands. In one case this even resulted in a threat that our house “would be burnt down”’.
Pat said ‘The final straw came on Sunday 19th March at 11.10am when after repeatedly asking a man and a youth accompanying him to not bring their three dogs onto the track, he physically assaulted me, knocking me to the ground, before continuing up the mountain with the dogs’.
‘It is because of this that we have decided to revoke the permissive access agreement and close the trail to the public with immediate effect’.
Commenting on the closure Aaron Byrne, Rural Recreation Officer with County Wicklow Partnership added ‘County Wicklow Partnership completely support the Dunne family in their decision. The success of The Walks Scheme and access routes are evident all over the country and that’s based on cooperation between landowners and recreational users. The actions of this particular individual are completely unacceptable. The closure of the trail will come as a huge blow to all the recreational users who benefitted from the goodwill of the Dunne family and enjoyed access to the mountains through their lands.’***Glenmalure’s ‘Zig-Zags’ Walking Trail Closed to the Public***
The well-known Zig-Zags walking track in Glenmalure has been closed to the public following an assault carried out on the landowner. The popular route, which is located entirely on private lands, provided access from the base of Carrawaystick Waterfall towards Lugnaquilla.
The Zig-Zags was an ‘Agreed Access Route’, facilitated through a formal Permissive Access Agreement between the landowner, Pat Dunne and County Wicklow Partnership. First developed in 2007, Pat was one of the first landowners in the country to permit an agreed access route across his lands and is widely respected among the recreational community for his efforts.
However, following a physical incident with a hiker on the 19th March, Pat and the Dunne family have taken the difficult decision to close public access with immediate effect.
Speaking about the closure Pat Dunne said ‘I want it known that for the last 16 years we have permitted open access to Lugnaquilla via the Zig Zags. The track and open mountain lands immediately above are private property. The only request in return for open access to our land was that NO DOGS were brought onto the mountain due to the disturbance they can cause to livestock. It is not an unreasonable request as we have had many instances of sheep being mauled by dogs on the mountain’.
He continued ‘However, over the years we have had many instances of verbal abuse with people as they ignored signage asking that dogs were not brought onto our lands. In one case this even resulted in a threat that our house “would be burnt down”’.
Pat said ‘The final straw came on Sunday 19th March at 11.10am when after repeatedly asking a man and a youth accompanying him to not bring their three dogs onto the track, he physically assaulted me, knocking me to the ground, before continuing up the mountain with the dogs’.
‘It is because of this that we have decided to revoke the permissive access agreement and close the trail to the public with immediate effect’.
Commenting on the closure Aaron Byrne, Rural Recreation Officer with County Wicklow Partnership added ‘County Wicklow Partnership completely support the Dunne family in their decision. The success of The Walks Scheme and access routes are evident all over the country and that’s based on cooperation between landowners and recreational users. The actions of this particular individual are completely unacceptable. The closure of the trail will come as a huge blow to all the recreational users who benefitted from the goodwill of the Dunne family and enjoyed access to the mountains through their lands.’
Really saddened and shocked to hear about this. Pat is a true gentleman , I hope he is OK and recovering from this awful incident. The Dunne family have been so generous in allowing this access route to pass so close their house they really do not deserve to have something like this happen. Disgraceful behaviour from the dog owner involved.
What a skumbag. The entitlement of people is staggering. A gem of a trail that we have been so privileged and lucky to have access to, lost. Thank you to Pat and the Dunne family for your kindness all these years and hoping you're ok after such a horrible incident.
Raging loved that Route, but the Land Owner is right there are to many people abusing the area with there dogs off leads, littering and now violence!
I'm sure the kids are so proud of their daddy!!! Horrible to read this, wishing that man a speedy recovery. Really wish this asshole is prosecuted.
Heres the assault
Wishing the Dunne family all the best, such a hard decision but completely understandable.
So sorry to hear this, what an awful thing to happen. Hope Pat is doing okay.
Report this scumbag to Rathdrum Gardai if you recognise him
What is wrong with people?! Aggression is getting out of hand everywhere! I'm so sorry for what Pat went through! Poor man, that's awful
So sad to hear this. Both for the landowner and all of us walkers who enjoyed that route. Has the attacker been reported?
Obviously a complete THUG This is a sad day for all hikers who respect the wishes of landowners
Some people just have airs nd graces nd think they can do what they want ... the cheek hes ruined popular spot for lots .. wldnt blame him shockin hope u are ok .....
Thanks to Pat and family for having it open to us this long. It was a beautiful part of the trail. Very sad to hear that again a couple of people ruin it for everybody else. I hope Pat is ok after the incident.
Glad I’ve had the opportunity to venture up the zags , thank u Mr Dunne ! Begs the question what’s the best starting point of Lug now ?
So sorry to hear about your run in with this tug. We are not all like him but thanks to him we no longer have this lovely trail.
Understandable, you could not find a nicer fellow - what kind of a nutter would act in this manner??????
I sincererly hope Pat will be okay, a gentleman and always willing to help out and support wherever he can. Hoping the man in question can be charged with assault and trespassing. When people enter lands and ignore the signage in place the gardaí need to treat these people as they are- trespassers. People need to respect the wishes of landowners, not a hard request to comply with- no dogs means no dogs. Plenty of alternative areas for dog owners.
I hope this individual is caught and punished, he has set back relations with landowners who make great efforts to allow access to their land. I hope Pat and his family recover.
So sorry to hear about this. Disgraceful, I hope the idiot is prosecuted for assault and aggravated trespass.
Disgusting behaviour....they should be jailed for assault...dirty scumbags 😡
It’s only understandable! This is awful for the landowner to have to deal with that and ANY abuse!
Sorry to hear of this disgracefull incident Pat hope you are OK ? You are doing the right thing by closing .Wishing you Margaret and the family all the best .
Absolutely disgusting behaviour the man should named and shamed.
He's right , but am very sad and angry for him and his family being so kind .
West Wicklow Historical Society will host a one day conference in Honour of historian Donal McDonnell, on Saturday 22 April, in Scoil Naoimh Iósaf, Baltinglass.
The one day event will feature a series talks from a number of expert speakers on local heritage topics, ranging from the Neolithic period to more modern times.
Be sure to check it out! Early bird registration open till March 27th here: westwicklowhistoricalsociety.ie/conference/?fbclid=IwAR06YL9hpKdTL0jy7n9Uwdztji1QKY6A1kS1U2wsnLr4...We would like to introduce you to a third speaker who will be presenting at the WWHS One-Day Conference in Honour of Donal McDonnell, which takes place on Saturday 22 April.
ALAN HAWKES
Alan Hawkes is one of the lead archaeologists who worked on digs at the hillforts in the Baltinglass area over the past decade and highlighted their national significance. He is a graduate of University College Cork and holds a doctoral degree in archaeology. Since completing his studies, he has worked on a number of major research projects and has published several papers. In 2018, he published a book on prehistoric burnt mound archaeology in Ireland.
He is a fully licensed archaeologist and for the past six years has worked for Maurice F. Hurley Archaeological Consultants. Alan continues to work closely with University College Cork where he regularly undertakes part-time teaching in adult education. He is a board member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland where he serves as convenor of the Journal of Irish Archaeology.
His topic at our conference is “Results of archaeological excavations at Rathcoran: A Neolithic enclosure on Baltinglass Hill, Co. Wicklow”.
The Conference will be held at Scoil Naoimh Iósaf, Kiltegan Road, Baltinglass. It runs from 9.45 to 5.30, with five lectures and two Q&A sessions. Early bird registration will open during the coming week. There are different rates for 2023 members and non-members. Find out more HERE: westwicklowhistoricalsociety.ie/conference/
#irelandsancienteast #wwhs #westwicklow #wicklow #baltinglass #localhistory #history #irishhistory #heritage #archaeology #irishheritage #archaeologylovers
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