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Irish Wildlife Trust Webinars
General guidelines for hill walkers
Helping to Preserve our Environment
Further Information on Environment and Access Policies

For details of all events taking place during Dublin Climate Action Week go to the website here: www.dublinclimateactionweek.ie

Here’s two fantastic opportunities to get involved up in the Dublin Mountains as part of Dublin Climate Action Week 2025 (May 12^th – 18^th) with South Dublin County Council!

1. Join DMP, Coillte and South Dublin County Council to celebrate Dublin Climate Action Week on May 13^th with a lunchtime guided Dublin Makeover Tour at Cruagh Wood.

Kick off your Climate Action Week with an insightful Dublin Makeover Tour. This unique tour will take you behind the scenes to witness firsthand the exciting green infrastructure projects transforming our Dublin Mountains landscape.

Karen Woods of Coillte will lead an easy-paced hour-long walk and discuss the Dublin Mountains Makeover project. This initiative aims to transform over 900 hectares across nine Coillte forests from commercial use to recreational spaces, enhancing biodiversity and creating beautiful, diverse forests for future generations.

Explore innovative initiatives that are enhancing biodiversity, creating greener spaces and contributing to a more sustainable Dublin.

A free bus will depart from The Square shopping centre, Tallaght at 12:15 returning to the same location at 14:30. A complimentary light lunch will be provided.

Click here for full details and to secure your spot: Dublin Mountains Makeover Lunchtime Walk Tickets, Tue 13 May 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite

2. On Sunday May 18^th, South Dublin County Council and the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) are inviting you to a truly special event: Peatland Restoration in the breathtaking Upper Glenasmole Valley!

Imagine spending a rewarding day surrounded by the stunning beauty of the South Dublin County Mountains, connecting with fellow nature enthusiasts and directly contributing to vital climate action. Peatlands play a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity – and you can be part of their revival!

This isn’t just about restoration, it’s about:

• Witnessing incredible scenery: Upper Glenasmole offers panoramic views you won’t forget.
• Meeting passionate people: Connect with like-minded individuals who care about our planet.
• Taking meaningful action: Directly contribute to the restoration of a vital ecosystem and its climate benefits.
• Learning from the experts: Collaborate with the National Parks & Wildlife Service and South Dublin County Council.

A free bus will depart from Tallaght Stadium at 9:20am returning to the stadium for 4:30pm

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to celebrate the final day of Dublin Climate Action Week with purpose and connection.

Click here for full details and to secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/peatlands-restoration-event-tickets-1307829696829?aff=oddtdtcreator

Why not join Birdwatch Ireland (BWI) in 2025?

Off-road vehicles

Inspirational environmental films               

• Fools and Dreamers – 30-minute documentary based in New Zealand – available here on YouTube
• Environmental streaming service; WaterBear

General guidelines for hill walkers

Engaging in hillwalking is, for many people, about freedom, overcoming challenges and a deep passion for the outdoors. However, enjoyment of the Irish countryside brings with it a responsibility for the environment. The Irish Ramblers Club promotes  responsible outdoor recreation and ethics following the principles of leave no trace.

The following guidelines will help to increase members’ awareness when planning a trip into the countryside:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Be considerate of others and respect private property, farmland, livestock, machinery and crops.
  • Respect No Trespassing and other signs.
  • Respect farm animals and leave all gates, fences, walls and hedges as you find them.
  • Where walks cross private land, try to establish and maintain good relations with the landowner. Access problems should be handled in a non-confrontational manner and with due respect for the rights of those who live and work on the land.
  • Accept the need for restrictions for valid conservation or land management reasons (e.g. erosion, seasonal bird nesting, deer breeding, tree felling ).  Liaise with other organisations active on access issues. Keep them informed on any access issues encountered on walks.
•  Respect wildlife, plants, trees and all natural things and take special care not to disturb birds and animals.
• Travel and camp on durable ground and more specifically,
  •  Walk on rock, stones or the most durable surface available, rather than on vegetation or soft ground.
  •  In heavily used areas, walk single file in the middle of the path, even if it’s wet and muddy (wearing gaiters will help to keep your feet dry). Avoid taking short cuts on zig zag paths as this creates new lines for run-off of water and increases erosion.
  • Leave cairns as they are; old cairns could have archaeological value. New ones detract from the wild character of the hills and can mislead some walkers.
• Leave what you find
  • Leave natural objects undisturbed – load your camera not your packs
• Dispose of waste properly
  • Pick up litter when you see it (be cautious when handling waste).
  • Take care not to cause any pollution, human waste should be buried at least 30m away from watercourses.
• Minimise the effects of fire
• Car share/pool where practical and park carefully to avoid blocking access to farmland or narrow roads.

Helping to preserve our environment

See RTE article from December 2023 on how walkers are urged to avoid soft ground after rain

Also, we are asking members to consider contributing to the Irish Peatland Conservation Council‘s frog survey.

If you use this link to the National Frog Survey  you will find details and, scrolling down, an online form which you can fill in after a hike and send directly.

Here is a link to a Frog Survey Card which you can print out. It is a simplified version of the online form and you may like to have it on your hike.
You’ll need to provide a grid reference which is no problem if you have a smart phone – just download the Irish Grid Ref Compass app It will cost you €1.

The seasons are out of joint – how can we be sure of this ? Read Eileen Murphy’s article on Phenology

Further information about our environment and access policies

The Irish Ramblers Club is an active member of Mountaineering Ireland and, in that context, subscribes to and promotes the environment and access policies published by MI on their website. To read the policies click on Mountaineering Ireland

We also support the principles of Leave No Trace. For specific details  please click on Leave no Trace