A new vision for the Dublin Mountains

The Dublin Mountain Partnership (DMP) has launched a new five-year strategic plan, which aims to further provide for recreation, protect the environment and raise awareness of the multiple benefits the Dublin Mountains provide, aimed at those who live in, use, visit or have a role to play in shaping the future of this area.

The DMP partners include Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Coillte, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council & the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The plan provides a strategic framework to guide resourcing, inform decision-making and launch initiatives over the next five years.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, said:

This partnership is important for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council as a large proportion of the Dublin Mountains Way traverses the county from Shankill, through Rathmichael, Kilternan, Glencullen and Ticknock with a very prominent link to Marlay Park. Our County Development Plan and Green Infrastructure Strategy aims to provide and encourage linkages between existing parks & open spaces with the Dublin Mountains.

The new strategic plan was launched in Coillte’s Cruagh Wood by Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; Councillor Emma Murphy, Mayor of South Dublin County Council; Councillor Caroline Conroy, The Lord Mayor of Dublin; Ms. Sorcha de Brúch, Principal Officer from National Parks and Wildlife Services and Sakinah Brennan, Environmental Social Governance Director from Coillte.
The members of the Dublin Mountains Partnership planted trees in the new native woodland at Cruagh, one of the nine Dublin Mountains Makeover sites.

The strategy sets out a new vision for the Dublin Mountains as an area of outstanding beauty and a place for sustainable outdoor recreation, where people can enjoy the hills, learn about and care for their environment and culture whilst respecting resident communities, neighbouring landowners and other recreation users.

It includes a wide range of actions under four key themes:

1. Protect the Resource - Maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of the Dublin Mountains.
2. Provide for Recreation - Facilitate the active enjoyment of the Dublin Mountains through providing, maintaining, and managing infrastructure and services.
3. Partner for Success - Work with relevant stakeholders to align strategy, policy and funding, share expertise and expand resources to achieve the outcomes of the strategic plan.
4. Promote the Benefits - Promote the Dublin Mountains as a wonderful destination for recreation and learning about the outdoors, for both outdoor enthusiasts and the wider public.

The new strategy builds on the work of the DMP over the past 14 years, which has seen €3.2 million invested to improve recreational facilities and access to the Dublin Mountains, including the development of the Dublin Mountains Way, Bike Tracks at Ticknock, Orientation Courses at four sites and much more. It resulted in the decision by Coillte to transition from commercial forestry to managing nine forests in the Dublin Mountains for biodiversity and recreation, known as the Dublin Mountain Makeover.

To read the full strategy, click here.