Welcome to Trailhead — review of 2010

THE NEWSLETTER FROM THE DUBLIN MOUNTAINS PARTNERSHIP www.dublinmountains.ie

Despite the economic doom and gloom, one

clear message resonates from the Dublin

Mountains Partnership project. It is that there

is a great appetite amongst the people of

greater Dublin to get outdoors and get active.

Whether its walking or mountain biking, volunteering

as a ranger or volunteering to build trails, picnicking

or just sitting and enjoying the view, 2010 has seen a

huge influx into the hills and forests to enjoy this

remarkable resource on our doorstep. And its that

coming together of the partner organisations and the

volunteering effort in a common vision that makes the

Dublin Mountains Partnership so effective and

exciting. The Dublin Mountains Way is testament to

this effort.

Research shows that interaction with nature not only

encourages better physical health but has a major impact

on mental health and self esteem. Similarly longitudinal

studies have shown that children who have access to

forests and nature at a young age are two to three years

ahead, in terms of problem solving and educational

attainment, than their peers when they reach their late

teens and early twenties.

As we face into the tough economic period ahead, these

are remarkable benefits that have an important part to play

in maintaining our quality of life over the next decade. It is

essential that we tap into as many of these values as

possible to improve the quality of life for all who live in or

visit the Greater Dublin Area. The last few years, and 2010

in particular, have shown what can be achieved when we

all work together in a common purpose and we must

redouble our efforts to make the Dublin Mountains a great

place to visit.

Mountain Meitheal

volunteers

This year‟s project involved building

a stone pitched trail up towards Fairy

Castle at Tiknock Forest. Over

126 different volunteers contributed

1832 hours over 19 days to build

this fantastic new path.

All stone to build this trail was found on site

and many of the large stones were moved

manually with a winch.

In 2009 Mountain Meitheal constructed the

Massy‟s Cruagh link on the Dublin Mountains

Way and the Cruagh Mountain Access Route

bog bridge. Thanks once again to all the

volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering with

Mountain Meitheal visit www.pathsavers.org.

Volunteers from GOOGLE were out again

in June 2010 helping the DMP upgrade a

section of the Dublin Mountains Way in

Carrickgollogan. The 20 volunteers helped

construct water bars and cut back

encroaching vegetation.

Tel 01 201 1187

Email Info@dublinmountains.ie

Web www.dublinmountains.ie

DMP Manager

c/o Coillte

Dublin Road

Newtownmountkennedy

Co. Wicklow

CONTACT US

Three new permanent orienteering courses were erected

in 2010 at Carrickgollogan, Barnaslingan and Ticknock,

bringing the total to 5 sites in the Dublin Mountains.

Each site has three different levels of course available (beginner, intermediate

and advanced) which range in length and technical difficulty. Maps can be

downloaded from the website before you head out to the forest, and on arrival

a family can head off and discover orienteering, an exciting, alternative way to

explore the forest. At each control point, you record the code visible on the

post in the boxes on your map. The courses at Hell Fire and Carrickgollogan also have an education

workbook for primary & secondary schools. Thanks to the local orienteering clubs and county council

sports partnerships who helped establish these courses.

Permanent Orienteering Courses

Dublin Mountaineer Bus Service

Hell Fire: Two new looped walks have

been installed, the Montpelier loop (4km)

and the Forest Loop (5.5km) giving

people the option of different routes

through this lovely forest and amazing

views over Dublin city. Tiknock: The

new Fairy Castle loop brings people up

to the masts and on up the newly built

stone pitched path to the summit at Fairy

Castle before heading down to join the

Wicklow Way. Then it heads back towards Tiknock car park alongside the old rifle range. This is

an enjoyable 5.5km walk. Rathmichael: The Rathmichael loop through Rathmichael wood takes in

the lovely views from the rath site over Killiney, Dalkey, Howth Head and the Little Sugar Loaf.

Glenasmole: The Upper Reservoir Walk is a 8.5km looped walk from the Bohernabreena car park

all the way around the upper reservoir. It is a stunning walk past the dam, spillway and stone

channel diverting peaty water to the lower lake.

The Dublin Mountaineer bus service was in operation once again from the end July to early

October. This year there were 3 services from Sandyford Luas (10:00, 12:30, 15:45) and 3 services

from Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght (11:00, 13:15, 16:55) at weekends and bank holidays.

A hop on hop off daily ticket cost €5 or a family ticket was €12. The service was featured on

RTE‟s Capital D programme in September.

We are currently reviewing the service for 2011 and your input is greatly appreciated —

please complete the short survey on the DMP website.

Mountain Meitheal volunteers

were back once again working

hard in the Dublin Mountains.

TRAIL NEWS UPDATE

2010

Dublin Mtns

Map launched...

Dublin Mountains Way Launch, 31st October Volunteer Ranger Service

1:25,000 scale map of Dublin

Mountains highlighting public lands

available for recreation, access

points, car parks, and recreation

facilities including the Dublin

Mountains Way.

It is now available from

www.eastwestmapping.ie or

bookshops & outdoor shops

The start/finish points at either

end can be reached by public

transport. Within a few

kilometres of either end, the

walker quickly leaves the city

suburbs behind and enters the

peace and tranquillity of the

Glenasmole reservoir or

woodlands of Rathmichael and

Carrickgollogan.

Very few cities have such a

wonderful resource on their

doorstep, and very few walks

have such diversity of

landscape, heritage and vistas.

Some of the interesting sites

along the route include the

Fassaroe Cross at Rathmichael,

the Lead Mines tower, Scalp

viewpoint, Johnnie Fox‟s pub,

the cairn on Fairy Castle (which

is the highest point along the

route at 537m), the bronze age

burial at Tibradden, the beautiful

Scots pine and larch woods at

Tibradden and Cruagh, the old

Massy‟s estate and Hell Fire

Club, St. Ann‟s graveyard and

the engineering wonder of the

Bohernabreena reservoir.

The entire route is waymarked

with the standard national

waymark way yellow man.

Information about the route

and maps are available on the

DMP website. The Dublin

Mountains Way was featured

on the RTE series Tracks and

Trails in August.

Get out and enjoy this beautiful

new trail across the Dublin

Mountains.

THE DUBLIN MOUNTAINS WAY IS A CAPTIVATING WALK WITH STUNNING VISTAS

OF DUBLIN CITY BELOW, A VARIETY OF TERRAIN FROM FOREST, OPEN

MOUNTAIN, LAKES TO PARKLAND WITH A WEALTH OF HERITAGE FROM MEGA-

LITHIC TOMBS TO THE ENGINEERING WONDER OF BOHERNABREENA RESER-

VOIR. IT IS IDEAL FOR SHORT FAMILY WALKS ALONG SECTIONS OF THE ROUTE

OR AS A LONG DISTANCE 2-3 DAY HIKE.

A strong, enthusiastic and

committed team of 26 volunteers

are now working with the Dublin

Mountains Partnership.

The construction of the first designated mountain

bike trail system in the Dublin Mountains is

underway at Tiknock and should be completed

early in the New Year. This first phase includes

8km of trails and is being funded by the DMP.

"The trails at Tiknock will be fast and fun for those

with some level of experience already. There will

be large rock slabs, big grade reversals, technical

„twisty bits‟ and fast flowing descents with plenty

of opportunity to get airborne! The design of the

8 km of trails will appeal to a broad range of

mountain bikers and will be graded from moderate

to very challenging,” said Daithi deForge of Coillte

Recreation Team who designed the trails.

Metro Building Contractors from Wexford are

building the trails. The DMP is currently trying to

secure more funding for 2011 to further develop

these trails. This project is a very welcome

development by the mountain bike community.

NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS AT TIKNOCK

In 2010, an additional 16 volunteer

rangers were recruited from the local

and outdoor communities, bringing

the Volunteer Ranger Service to a

fantastic team of 26.

From opening and closing the carparks,

promoting the Leave No Trace message,

waymarking new routes, helping with DMP

events, leading the extremely popular guided

walks—the work ethic and enthusiasm of the

volunteer rangers is superb and the DMP can-

not thank the team enough. The public is also

very appreciative of the friendly face out on the

mountains there to have a chat, or give advice.

“To be invited last March to become one of

the panel of rangers was a great honour - to

be entrusted with part-guardianship of this

resource and to be able to assist its users

maximise enjoyment of it - a privilege.” said

one of the new recruits.

“Thanks so much for telling me about this

hike. I truly enjoyed the experience of hiking

through the Dublin Mountains, the rangers

where excellent. Also, I am looking forward to

meeting some of the members of this hiking

group again. I also hope to become more

knowledgeable about these routes, as I would

love to take my 'overseas' visitors and show

them the marvellous Dublin Mountains” was

the email received from a lady who joined one

of the guided walks.

On a cold, misty Halloween, the Dublin

Mountains Partnership opened the new long

distance trail, the Dublin Mountains Way. The

new 43km trail, stretches from Shankill in the

east to Tallaght in the west, a total of 54km if you

include the Hell Fire/Massy‟s spur route.

Through the close cooperation of the partners

and over 300 different volunteers, the Dublin

Mountains Way route was developed,

waymarked and new sections were constructed.

The Dublin Mountains Way has been an

objective in county development plans for over

twenty years and ,with the formation of the DMP,

has now been delivered.

The launch took place at Tiknock Forest and

was attended by all the Dublin Mountains

Partners. At the event David Gunning, CEO,

Coillte said: “The proximity of the Dublin

Mountains delivers a wonderful amenity for

people of all ages. The Dublin Mountains Way

provides a challenging long distance hike for the

serious walker, and attractive, shorter, day walks

for families and casual walkers. This initiative

shows what can be achieved when organisations

with different mandates work together on a

common purpose. All the partners must be

complemented on their vision in coming together

and delivering this important infrastructure in an

innovative way despite the difficult economic

situation”. There was great coverage of the

event in all the national media and on the RTE

Six One news.

The day started with the opening of the Tallaght

side of the route by the Mayor of SDCC,

Councillor Eamonn Maloney. A group of 15

enthusiastic runners braved the elements and

ran part of the route from Tallaght to Tiknock.

Dublin Mountains Way

Some DMP Events during 2010

DUBLIN MOUNTAIN PLOD

18th July, Dublin Mountains

The DMP and IMRA (Irish Moun-

tain Running Association) hosted

the first Dublin Mountains half

marathon. The tough scenic route

started and finished in Marlay

Park. Then the route continued up

Tibradden Lane and into Massy‟s

Wood, along the forest roads

through Cruagh, and up the

Tibradden Mountain trail, back

down the Wicklow Way through

Kilmashogue to Marlay Park.

Most of the route was on trails

and forest roads, with 820 metres

of climb. 192 runners participated

in the event which was a great

success.

The date is set for next year,

Sunday 17th July, so lots of time

to get out training!

FORESTRY FAMILY FUN DAY

19th September, Tibradden

Despite the pours of rain, the 1st

forestry family fun day was

amighty success, with over 400

kids and adults attending. There

was a range of activities for

families to try out including den

building, field archery (thanks to

Greenhills Archery Club), tree

identification, using an old

cross-cut saw, conkers, the

blindfold string trail, wood

products quiz.

Everyone had fantastic fun trying

their hand at all sorts of forestry

related activities, and even

learned a few new things such as

how to recognise a beech tree, all

the different products that come

from wood. We will definitely be

hosting this event next year.

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

3rd October, Tiknock

Over 150 adults and kids joined

the DMP for the Trails & Tales

hike up to Fairy Castle for the

3rd National Trails Day. En route,

the kids had to collect different

letters which spelt out 5 fairy tale

characters such as Cinderella,

Robin Hood. On reaching the

cairn at the top of Fairy Castle

many families stopped for a picnic

and to enjoy the wonderful views

over Dublin city on the beautiful

sunny day.

Other events in the Dublin

Mountains included a walk with

Mountain Meitheal volunteers

along some sections of trail they

have recently upgraded, orien-

teering at Carrickgollogan and a

guided walk at Hell Fire.