This event is a joint initiative of Wicklow Uplands Council and the Heritage Office of Wicklow County Council to celebrate National Heritage Week 2012 and the International Year of the Rural Landscape. The standard of photographs entered was of a very high quality and gives a real appreciation of ‘the living landscape’ of the Wicklow Uplands. Of the 85 entries received, 31 were selected for exhibition at the County Buildings, Wicklow Town from 20th – 31st August. There are already plans to move the exhibition to Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation and Roundwood Parish Hall thereafter.
The photographic exhibition beautifully illustrates the components that make up a living landscape including the people living, working, recreating and visiting the area; our iconic landscapes and the biodiversity and nature that make up its fabric. For the 26 person board of Wicklow Uplands Council, the exhibition is a wonderful reminder of what we are working for. It is an illustration of our core mission:
‘To support the sustainable use of the Wicklow uplands through consensus and partnership with those who live, work and recreate there’
It also provides a unique opportunity for local people who may not often venture into the hills, to get an appreciation for the splendour that lies on their doorstep.
Wicklow Uplands Council is an independent, voluntary organisation which represents the shared interests of over 50 member groups and individual members. The Uplands Council successfully operates on the basis of consensus, community participation and partnership and collaboration.
Sincere thanks to all the photographers who entered the competition without whom the exhibition would not be so spectacular. Their appreciation for beauty and the ability to capture that beauty has allowed us all to see the living landscape afresh. Sincere thanks to the panel of judges for giving their time and expertise in selecting the exhibition and winning entries namely; Eve Holmes, Still Photographer with RTE, Eamon Doran, Wildlife Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Philip Geoghegan; the newly elected Chairman of Wicklow Uplands Council.
All entries are available to view on the Wicklow Uplands Council BlogSpot:
www.wicklowuplandscouncil.blogspot.ie or via the home page of
www.wicklowuplands.ie . The BlogSpot includes other interesting posts and articles on issues affecting the Wicklow Uplands so please check us out or befriend us on Facebook.
Author: Cara Doyle, Co-ordinator, Wicklow Uplands Council
