ALMOST 5,000 acres of the Dublin Mountains have been secured as an unspoiled natural amenity for generations to come, it was revealed last week.
In a major move, the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, Michael Ring, announced that the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs had reached an agreement to purchase 4,900 acres (or 1,983 hectares) of the Dublin Uplands, known popularly as the Featherbeds.
This land will be added to the Wicklow Mountains National Park, expanding the total size of the amenity to 22,000 hectares.
“I am very pleased to announce the expansion of the Wicklow Mountains National Park,” the minister stated.
“The Featherbeds are an important area for nature conservation and for public amenity. Their acquisition by the State is a sign of our enduring commitment to preserve our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.”
The minister said the outcome was the culmination of a “constructive engagement” between the department and NAMA that addressed a long-standing strategy to align key environmental assets.
“I believe an exceptional opportunity has been realised for the State in terms of the environmental gain and the amenity potential,” the minister added.
“The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the department will work with Dublin Mountains Partnership to manage this new acquisition, reflecting the ongoing commitment of all stakeholders to improve the recreational potential of this area whilst ensuring the highest standards of nature conservation.”
The news was applauded across the Southside with the cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County County, Cllr Cormac Devlin, tweeting that the announcement that the State will purchase 5,000 acres of uplands in the Featherbeds area of Dublin Mountains was very welcome.
Deputy John Lahart (FF) said the acquisition of the 5,000 acres of the Dublin Mountains at Glenasmole Valley in South County Dublin would mean they would become a local and national treasure.
Deputy Lahart said: “I am relieved to learn that this land has been purchased by the State and has now been taken out of private ownership.
“Having met with locals recently, I shared their concerns regarding the future use of the area which straddles the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains and is classified as moorland and mountain land and has extensive grazing rights.
“The area also has huge tourist potential and the capacity to attract significant tourist numbers if it is developed sensitively.”
Deputy Lahart added: “As former chairperson of South Dublin County Council’s Tourism Strategy Group, I am acutely aware of how important this land is as an amenity; to local people and visitors alike, due its vast expanse, seclusion and unspoiled habitat.”
Deputy Lahart continued: “I am relieved that following my correspondence with the minister on the sale of the land, the department has seized the opportunity to expand the Wicklow Mountains National Park into some of the picturesque lands in my constituency.
“Such an initiative has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the wider locality and region. I hope that the purchase of the land by the State will secure its future as an unspoiled natural amenity for generations to come.”