Shaping the Future of the Wicklow Uplands - A Community Led Approach at Wicklow Uplands Council's Joint Panel Meeting

Shaping the Future of the Wicklow Uplands – A Community Led Approach at Wicklow Uplands Council’s Joint Panel Meeting

 

 

Community panel discussing issues at Wicklow Uplands Council's Joint Panel Meeting.

 

Wicklow Uplands Council organised a joint meeting of its panel groups in the O’Toole Community Hall, Rathdangan on the 7^th October 2015. The venue was carefully selected to give an opportunity to people and communities living in south-west Wicklow to have their voices heard and to share their concerns and proposals.

Local community representative, Mr. Mick O’Toole, welcomed all present to the village of Rathdangan and gave a very insightful presentation about the challenges faced by a small rural community, outlining their successes and how the community had taken ownership of their survival and ongoing development. He explained how the village had changed over the years from a very vibrant rural community with sheep sales and trades and businesses at every corner, Rathdangan was a place where people could live and work locally. Over the years this picture has changed dramatically. The village pub is the last local business remaining and the majority of people now commute to work. The community finds it difficult to meet all criteria when it comes to funding opportunities. “There is no funding for Rathdangan, the village is too small” he said.  However, the community has demonstrated a very positive attitude and has acquired a piece of ground from Wicklow County Council for a community amenity area and playground. This is currently being developed and to date €23,000 has been raised for the project.

Another successful move was the opening of the Village Pantry tea room and coffee shop which is a focal point and meeting place for the community and is bringing life back into the area. The Pantry opened 18 months ago, is run by 25 volunteers and is open every day 9.30-12.30.  The Pantry sells arts & crafts and produce from within a 2 mile radius and the local SuperValu delivers online shopping there daily. The community received €2,000 in funding from the Wicklow County Council for the project.

There was an opportunity for uplands stakeholders to present their views and suggestions at the individual meetings of Wicklow Uplands Council’s four stakeholder panel groups which includes: Farmers and Landowners, Environment and Recreation Interests, Economic and Tourism Providers and Communities. Proposals included the development of long distance and community walking trails including a West Wicklow Walking Trail linking the villages of Knockananna, Rathdangan and Donard and a mining heritage trail from Avoca to Glendalough to link and promote both areas. Given that many parts of rural Wicklow are under significant demographic decline it was noted that Wicklow Uplands Council could play a facilitation role with regard to developing agreed access or rural community development plans.

The need for support for Wicklow Uplands Council’s application for a Locally Led Environment Scheme to manage upland vegetation and support upland hill farming was also highlighted alongside the issue of deer and dog control, rural crime and controlled burning of vegetation. Renewable energy, access to high speed broadband in rural areas, rural social inclusion and the support for low capacity communities to access funding were also highlighted at the meeting. Many of the challenges facing the area and project ideas put forward at the meeting will serve both to inform Wicklow Uplands Council’s future work programme and our submission on the Wicklow Local Development Strategy currently being prepared by County Wicklow Partnership.

Author: Lenka Mulligan, Communications Officer, Wicklow Uplands Council