Wicklow Uplands

‘The Future of Hill Farming in the Dublin Mountains’ Information Event
2020-02-06 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | Glenasmole Community Centre
An information event titled ‘The Future of Hill Farming in the Dublin Mountains’ will take place this Thursday, February the 6th in Glenasmole, County Dublin.
The open event has been organised jointly between the SUAS Pilot Project and Teagasc and will explore a range of topics related to hill farming in the Dublin Mountains.
Guest speakers from the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Teagasc and the SUAS Project, will be at hand to discuss the ecological importance of our uplands, sustainable and profitable hill farming practices and offer an insight to the current conditions of the local upland habitats.
The event also includes a site visit to a nearby hill to assess its current condition and to discuss the management options available to return it to good agricultural and environmental condition.
Launched in 2018, the SUAS Pilot Project is addressing the decline in hill farming activities and the promotion of sustainable practices in the Wicklow and Dublin uplands on a number of selected sites in the region.
The event is open to all interested parties and the organisers recommend appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn to the site visit.
The event begins at 11am at the Glenasmole Community Centre.

SUAS Pilot Project at the 2019 National Ploughing Championships
2019-09-19 13:30 - 17:30
Come and visit the SUAS Pilot Project as it exhibits at the 2019 National Ploughing Championships on Thursday the 19th of September.
Discover how the Sustainable Uplands Agri-environment Scheme (SUAS) project is finding solutions to address the decline in the biodiversity and hill farming activities in the Wicklow and Dublin Uplands.
Declan Byrne, Project Manager of the SUAS Project will on hand to share details of the project and the progress it is making on nine locations in the uplands. Now in its second year, the innovative project has been working closely with established commonage groups, farmers, an ecologist and other professionals, to create and implement a land management plan for each of these sites.
Launched in 2018 by Wicklow Uplands Council, the five-year SUAS pilot project is one of 23 European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI) projects established in Ireland. All of the EIP groups have been invited to exhibit at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s large marquee at scheduled times throughout the three day event.
Please come and visit the SUAS Project Team on Thursday the 19th of September from 1.30pm.
The marquee is located on Block 3, Row 19, Stand 422.

Nature Explorers – Treasure hunt
2019-08-28 11:00 - 13:00 | National Park Information Office, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland
Varied activities help children to identify and appreciate the natural world. Activities are aimed at children aged 5 to 11 years.
This is an outdoor programme. Most activities will take place off track (not suitable for buggies).
An adult must stay with the children & be prepared to help.
Booking is essential (0404 45425)
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: National Park Information Office

Guided Walk of Glenasmole Valley - National Heritage Week
2019-08-21 18:45 - 20:45
The theme for this year’s National Heritage Week is ‘Pastimes, Past Times’ and will see over 2,000 events happen across the country from the 17th – 25th of August. To celebrate the event, Wicklow Uplands Council are organising a guided walk with well-known local Donie Anderson around parts of the Glenasmole Valley on the evening of Wednesday the 21st.

Shaped by glacier activity and the River Dodder, the picturesque setting serves as the backdrop for this free event. It is open to everyone and promises to be a fun and enjoyable experience with plenty of stories and anecdotes shared along the route. This area of the Dublin uplands, has a deep history going back to the mythologies of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his band of Irish warriors, Na Fianna. Many of the old traditions and hill farming practices that were once a common sight in the valley, will be explored during the walk and it will also include a visit to the Bog Road to take in the full vista of Dublin Bay and its capital city.

Participants should meet beforehand at 6.45pm outside the Old Mill in Tallaght. Due to a bus service being organised to accommodate the group, advance booking is essential. Please RSVP by the 19th of August by sending an email info@wicklowuplands.ie or phone 01-2818406.

Nature Explorers – Mammal tracking
2019-08-21 11:00 - 13:00

SUAS Open Day and Demonstration Event in West Wicklow
2019-08-20 11:00 - 15:00
This inaugural SUAS Pilot Project (Sustainable Uplands Agri-environment Scheme) Open Day and Demonstration Event will provide insight to the project through a series of short talks and a site visit to a nearby participating upland commonage area.
Ireland’s Uplands are vital natural and cultural heritage sites which have been traditionally managed by upland farmers for generations. The SUAS Project aims to support upland farmers while protecting this significant heritage by remunerating farmers for activities which improve and protect their farmed habitats.
Organised to coincide for National Heritage Week, the event will commence in the Hollywood Community Centre at 11am where Declan Byrne, Project Manager of the SUAS Project and a number of other speakers, will give an overview of the project and the positive impact it is having to upland commonages. An exhibition from the National Rural Network on the EIP AGRI projects in Ireland will also be on display for all to enjoy.
The assembled group will then travel by bus to the nearby Granamore Commonage, which is one of the locations that was included in the first round of the SUAS Project.

The lands which are now within the boundaries of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, were formerly part of Lord Waterford Estate in County Wicklow and contain a number of interesting features such as old turf cutting banks, a small hill of blanket bog, a Mass rock, and the Douglas River and other water systems.The commonage area is being managed by ten shareholders, participating in the SUAS Project through a formal commonage group structure.
Those attending the event will be guided to four stops on the site to observe demonstrations related to the land management activities being undertaken as part of the project.
Presentations and discussion will include topics such as commonage management, roadway and culvert repair, gully planting and streamside vegetation, and vegetation management practices such as controlled burning and cutting. A number of speakers will contribute to the visit including representatives from NPWS, the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and a number of the local farmers.

Topic Examples include:
What is on our uplands and why are they important?
Enda Mullen, National Parks & Wildlife Service
Collective farming & management of our uplands
Monica Gorman, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science
What is the SUAS Project actually doing?
Declan Byrne, SUAS Project Manager

The free event is open to all interested parties and includes refreshments and the transfer to Granamore by bus. Appropriate clothing and footwear will be required for the site visit which is quite exposed. Due to transport logistics, advance booking is advised. Please RSVP to info@wicklowuplands.ie or 01-2818406.
For further information on the event, please visit: www.wicklowuplands.ie/suasproject

Nature Explorers – Flowers & pollinators
2019-08-14 11:00 - 13:00 | National Park Information Office, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland

Bat Walk and Talk
2019-08-13 19:30 - 21:30 | Education Centre, Glendalough, Ireland
Bat Talk
7:30 p.m. in the Education Centre
followed by
Bat Walk
8.30 p.m. at the Information Office
Suitable for all ages. Booking is not required.
A torch and midge repellent are advised. Visitors are welcome to attend either or both event.
The Bat Talk is family friendly, and suitable for all ages. After the Talk, head over to the Information Office for the Bat Walk.
Watch the bats emerge from their roost. Then follow them through the woods. Hear their call with bat detectors.

Nature Explorers – Moth recording
2019-08-07 11:00 - 13:00 | National Park Information Office, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Upper Lake, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland
To help children to identify and appreciate the natural world.
Booking esstenial

W.P.N.S. - BAT WALK
2019-07-17 21:30
Meeting at the Information Office Glendalough to watch hundreds of bats emerge from their roost before following them through the woodlands and listening to them with bat detectors. Bring a torch and midge repellent. Great for all ages and booking is not essential.

Wicklow Uplands Council AGM & Panel Meeting.
2019-07-08 19:00 - 21:30 | The Glendalough Hotel, Glendalough, Wicklow, Ireland
Wicklow Uplands Council AGM with guest speaker, Mr. Simon Harris, TD and Minister for Health.

If you live, work or perhaps enjoy recreational activities in the Wicklow and Dublin uplands, then this event offers the perfect occasion to be part of the conversation on its sustainable development.
Beginning at 7pm in the Glendalough Hotel, the event commences with a joint panel meeting which provides an opportunity for networking and discussion amongst the tourism, community, recreation and farming sectors and to make nominations to the Board of Directors.
The AGM starts at 8pm with an overview on what has been a very busy 12 months for the council. We are also delighted to be able to introduce our guest speaker, Mr. Simon Harris, TD and Minister for Health.
Formed in 1997, Wicklow Uplands Council is an independent, voluntary organisation that offers a collective voice to its diverse membership.
Focussing on the sustainable development of the Wicklow and Dublin uplands, the Council is involved with a wide range of projects such as recreational and trail development, PURE Project, the innovative SUAS Project, deer management and community led projects such as the countywide network of heritage interpretative panels. The Council also leads policy development on a range of issues affecting upland communities and its habitats.
The event is open to everyone, including non-members (although only members can vote). Membership forms will also be available for groups and individuals seeking to join on the night.

There are 2 parts to the evening event with interested parties warmly welcome to attend both.

At 7pm, the council’s 4 panel groups (listed below), will break into individual meetings to discuss relevant issues, activities and initiatives and seek input and feedback from the panel representatives. Along with making nominations to the Board of Directors, it’s a great opportunity for networking and discussion amongst the tourism, community, recreation and farming sectors.
– Community Panel
– Economic & Tourism Panel
– Environment & Recreation Panel
– Farming & Landowning Panel

AGM AGENDA
– Welcome & Apologies
– Adoption of minutes of AGM held on Wednesday 20th June 2018
– Matters Arising
– Financial Report; Garvan Hickey – Treasurer, Tom Doyle – IFAC Accountants
– Appointment of Auditor
– Chairman’s Address: Mr Tom Byrne
– Co-ordinator’s Report & Project Update: Brian Dunne
– Guest Speaker: Mr Simon Harris, TD, Minister for Health
– Nominations to the board of directors – report from panel meetings
– Any other business

If you are interested in coming along please RSVP to info@wicklowuplands.ie or ph: 01 2818406.

The Uplands Council believes that the people who live, work and recreate in the Uplands must be provided with opportunities to participate in the various local, regional and national decision making processes affecting the area. The Council represents the views of the local people and presents their case to the statutory decision makers.

WPNS - BUMBLEBEES
2019-07-07 11:00 - 13:00 | Education Centre, Glendalough, Ireland
Ireland has 21 species of bumblebees. Learn all about them during a talk and walk starting at 11 am in the Education Centre on Sunday 7th July. Booking is essential (0404-45425)

Laragh & Glendalough Sustainable Energy Action Meeting
2019-05-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Join the Laragh & Glendalough Sustainable Energy Action group for a public information & workshop event this Thursday, May 23rd, 7pm in the Brockagh Resource Centre.
The event will introduce the new group & will be participatory (a workshop) to gather collective ideas and thoughts so that the community can start moving towards a brighter, more sustainable future.
The group has successfully partnered with Wicklow County Council, and recently submitted an Energy Masters Plan (an application for funding) into the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, with the overall aim of improving energy efficiency in the community & reducing our dependency on fossil-fuel based energy.
All are welcome to attend.
For more information, please click: http://bit.do/eS4zX

Wicklow Mountains Cycle Challenge 2019
2019-05-18
Now in its’ fourth year, the Wicklow Mountains Cycle Challenge is an annual event organised by St James’s Hospital Foundation with all proceeds going to St James’s Hospital, Dublin.
Since its beginning in 2016, the event has doubled in participation and has raised over €50,000 for St James’s Hospital. All of the proceeds have been used to purchase new equipment for the hospital. This year, the proceeds are for our ICU Department.
The event starts and finishes in the stunning grounds of Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow and participants have 2 routes to choose from.

50km – Our 50km route brings cyclists on a beautiful tour of Blessington Lakes before returning back to Russborough House.
Exact Route: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2364245065

100km – Described by seasoned cyclists as “The toughest 100km in Wicklow”, this is a much more demanding route taking cyclists up some of the most notorious climbs in the Wicklow mountains including, Sally Gap, Shay Elliott & Slieve Maan.
Exact Route: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2364231292

All participants will receive a souvenir event jersey and access to the post event refreshments.
ENTRY IS FREE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO FUNDRAISE for the event by raising a minimum €150 in sponsorship.

If you do not wish to fundraise, you can choose from a number of entry options on the website:

More information on the event is available from: https://www.supportstjames.ie/wicklow-mountains-cycle-challenge-2/

Orwell Wheelers Randonnee 2019 Cycle Race
2019-05-04 09:00 - 18:00
The Orwell Wheelers Randonnee cycle race takes place across the uplands on Saturday, May the 4th, with an expected 300 participants taking part.

The event is fully marshalled including the use of motorbikes. Please take note of the routes detailed below to reduce travel delays.

This year there are two routes being used:

The 146km main route, which includes Kilternan, Glencullen, Sally Gap, Lake Drive, Wicklow Gap, Laragh and Enniskerry.

Exact Route Of The Main Race

And a 92km “Lite Route”, which includes Kilternan, Glencullen, Sally Gap, Laragh, Roundwood and Enniskerry.

Exact Route Of The 92km Race

The chosen charity for the event is the Dundrum Arch Club, a social club for people with intellectual disabilities who meet in the Ballinteer Community School.

More Information on the race event is available at: https://www.orwellwheelers.org/…/1228-the-orwell-randonnee-…

Clara Vale Wildflower Walk
2019-04-28 11:00 - 15:30 | Co. Wicklow
Starting at the Stump of the Castle Car Park Rathdrum (Sat nav 52 94557362-6.225986) join staff for a stroll to identify some of the native spring flowers and other plants in the wonderful Clara Vale Nature Reserve. Booking is essential 0404 45656.

Art in the Park
2019-04-24 10:30 - 16:00 | Education Centre, Glendalough, Ireland
Learn how to draw native animals and birds. Morning session (10.30 a.m. to 12.30 pm) is for families (children over 7 with a parent). Afternoon session (2 to 4 pm) is for adults only. Paper & pencils will be provided.
Parking at Upper Lake Car Park, Glendalough for which there is a charge

All About Eggs Treasure Hunt
2019-04-19 10:00 - 2019-04-22 16:30
Take part in a short treasure hunt. A map will guide you to various facts about eggs, but be warned there is no chocolate!
Booking is not required. Parking at Upper Lake Car Park, Glendalough

Learn Five Trees
2019-04-17 10:00 - 16:00
Many people these days cannot recognise our common native trees. Stop by Information Office for just ten minutes and let staff teach you five trees – sessile oak, hazel, birch, hawthorn and holly. Booking is not required.

LitterPick of the Kippure & Sally Gap Road
2019-04-16 17:45 - 19:30
Wicklow Uplands Council invites you to join a litter pick event along a stretch of the Sally Gap on evening of Tuesday the 16th April.
The event is being organised in conjunction with PURE Project, An Taisce National Spring Clean and the National Parks & Wildlife Service.
The route will begin at Kippure Adventure Centre and head along the Sally Gap Road (R759) adjacent to the Coronation Plantation till the well known Sally Gap crossroads.
All volunteers are welcome and should meet at 5.45pm at the Kippure Adventure Centre.
We would suggest that volunteers dress appropriately for the weather and if possible to also bring a pair of gloves.
All bags and litter pickers will be provided.
Refreshments will be provided afterwards in the Kippure Adventure Centre
For further details please contact Brian Dunne at bdunne@wicklowuplands.ie.

Recycling Workshop
2019-04-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Laragh Tidy Towns will host a workshop on how to reduce waste and improve recycling in the home. The workshop will be followed by a short talk on climate change.

Animal Tracks
2019-04-07 11:30 - 16:30 | Education Centre, Glendalough, Ireland
Come along to the Education Centre of Wicklow Mountains National Park for a workshop to study the tracks and signs of wild animals. There will be a talk in the morning followed by a walk in the afternoon. Bring a packed lunch. Booking is essential.
Telephone 0404 45656
Parking charge at Upper Lake Car Park, Glendalough.

Information Workshops For Grant Schemes in 2019
2019-04-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Funding Workshops will be run by Wicklow County Council and County Wicklow Partnership to provide information about funding schemes that are aimed at the revitalisation of rural areas.
LEADER
TOWN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME
RURAL REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT FUND
URBAN REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT FUND
OUTDOOR RECREATION SCHEME

Co. Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Strategy Consultation Meeting - Hollywood
2019-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Hollywood Community Centre
The Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee, who are in the midst of developing the County Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Strategy (2019 – 2024), are inviting all outdoor recreation participants and outdoor recreation service providers such as guides, instructors, equipment hire and a wide range of hospitality services to attend one of the upcoming consultation meetings.
The purpose of these meetings is to identify the ‘state of play’ of outdoor recreation in the county and how it can sustain and grow the benefits of participation in outdoor recreation for its residents and visitors.
The meetings which are open to all, take place at:

Tuesday 26th February 7:00 pm, Parish Hall Roundwood.
Wednesday 27th February. 7:00 pm, Courthouse Art Centre, Tinahely
Thursday 28th February, 7:00 pm, Hollywood Community Centre, Hollywood.

Irish Leisure Consultants, a planning and management services company that operate in the recreational, tourism and arts sector, are undertaking the strategic development process which includes engaging with all stakeholders. If you are unable to attend one of the meetings but would still like to contribute to the strategy, please contact Humphrey at humphrey@ilc.ie
For further information please visit: www.wicklowpartnership.ie/outdoorstrategy

Co. Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Strategy Consultation Meeting - Tinahely
2019-02-27 19:00 | Court House Arts Centre, Tinahely, Dwyer Square, Ballinacor,, Tinahely, Wicklow, Ireland

Co. Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Strategy Consultation Meeting - Roundwood.
2019-02-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Roundwood Parish Centre, Main Street,, Roundwood, Wicklow, Ireland

SUAS Information Evening (2nd Round of Applicants)
2019-02-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Following the official launch of the ‘Sustainable Uplands Agri-environment Scheme (SUAS)’ Pilot Project in November, we are now seeking interested participants to join in the second round of the project.
To coincide with the announcement, an information evening will be held on Monday February 25th, 8pm, in the Brockagh Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow. Further details and expression of interest forms will be available on the night. All are welcome to attend.
The SUAS project is designed to assist both commonage groups and individual farmers across the Wicklow and Dublin uplands and the Council invites interested parties to submit an Expression of Interest form before the March 15th deadline.

The key objective of the five-year pilot is 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.
The project represents a significant opportunity to make a positive and lasting change to secure the sustainable future management of the Wicklow and Dublin uplands and we call upon all interested parties to attend the upcoming event.
The SUAS project was developed using a bottom-up approach with the support of local upland farmers and following what was referred to as a highly competitive selection process, the project successfully received funding of €1.95 million from the Department of Agriculture under the new European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture Productivity and Sustainability (EIP AGRI) initiative.
Information on the project and Expression of Interest forms will be available at SUAS Pilot Project Page

2019-02-18 08:00 - 17:00
A new Outdoor Recreation Strategy is currently being developed for County Wicklow. Three consultation evenings are coming up for all those who participate in outdoor recreation activities in Wicklow (including hillwalkers and climbers) and those who provide services to the sector (activity providers, transport, equipment hire, accommodation, dining etc).
Consultation dates and venues:
• Tuesday 26th February – 7:00 pm – Parish Hall, Roundwood.
• Wednesday 27th February – 7:00 pm – Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely.
• Thursday 28th February – 7:00 pm – Hollywood Community Centre, Hollywood.
The purpose of these meetings is to identify the ‘state of play’ of outdoor recreation in the county and how we can sustain and grow the benefits of participation in outdoor recreation for residents and visitors to the county.
All are welcome to the events, so please share this information and help spread the word.
This initiative is being undertaken by the Wicklow Outdoor Recreation Committee (WORC), comprised of representatives from key outdoor recreation stakeholders in the region.
Further information is available at: www.wicklowpartnership.ie/outdoorstrategy

Sharing Our Stories: Heritage Interpretative Seminar
2018-11-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Are you interested in understanding and promoting the natural, built and cultural heritage of your local area?
If you are involved with a tourism operation or perhaps an historical society, a tidy towns, PURE Mile or another community group, this FREE seminar may very well be for you!
Centered around heritage interpretation, this half day event which runs from 10am -2pm, follows on from the previous Our Wicklow Heritage seminars on the themes of “Community Archaeology” and “Making Local History”.

This year’s theme explores creative ways of communicating heritage information, with a focus on community based actions for interpreting and promoting our towns, villages and places of interest.
Session One will share the latest Our Wicklow Heritage initiatives. Featuring a selection of recent projects from Wicklow, including exhibition, animation, film, digitisation and music, with an aim of showcasing examples of creative ways of gathering and sharing information about Wicklow’s rich heritage.
Session Two will be hosted by Abarta Heritage, a company specialising in providing interpretation and visitor service solutions to communities, cultural sites and institutions. Abarta Heritage were engaged in 2018 by Wicklow County Council and the Wicklow Uplands Council to co-ordinate the Wicklow Trails heritage recording project.
The team will talk about their experience of gathering digital content for this project and will offer advice and training on the various options for interpreting local areas and how we can all discover and Share Our Stories.
Whether you have already developed a heritage interpretation project in your town/village or are considering embarking upon one, this half day event will be of use. The organisers especially welcome existing and new contributors to Our Wicklow Heritage, the online community heritage archive for County Wicklow.
Although this is a Free event, and open for everyone, advance booking is needed for catering purposes.
Please contact Deirdre Burns, Heritage Officer on T: 0404 20100, email dburns@wicklowcoco.ie or Catherine Wright, Archives, cwright@wicklowcoco.ie for bookings and queries.
For more details visit www.countywicklowheritage.org or www.wicklow.ie/heritage
As with previous events there will be scope for individual groups to host a stand to promote their activities. Please contact organisers to book.

This event is organised by the Wicklow Heritage Forum, part of the implementation of the County Wicklow Heritage Plan 2017-22, which seeks to support and animate community led heritage activity in County Wicklow and promoting Wicklow’s Creative Ireland programme.

The Wicklow Trails Heritage Recording Project is a joint initiative between Wicklow Uplands Council and Wicklow County Council.

Please spread the word and share online.

Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival
2018-10-26 10:00 - 2018-10-29 17:00 | Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh, Co Wicklow
Footfalls Wicklow Walking Festival will be based in the Brockagh Resource Centre over the October Holiday weekend (26-29 October) with many of the walks passing through Wicklow Mountains National Park. All walks are led by experienced salking leaders who will enhance the day with information on local history, flora and fauna. The weekend offers a selection of walking choices so you can mix, match or choose one. Contact Footalls on 0404-45152 or 087-2698659, email info@walkinghikingireland.com or walkinghikingireland.com
