MacGillycuddy Reeks

Continuous use of one of the country’s most panoramic landscapes by tens of thousands of enthusiasts is giving rise to worsening erosion.

Between 80,000 and 100,000 hillwalkers and climbers, each year, tackle the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry, leaving some of the most frequented paths and trails in need of repair.

The MacGillycuddy Reeks Action Forum, made up of statutory and voluntary bodies, is conducting an audit and seeking tenders for the repair and maintenance of the paths’ network, including costings.

A priority list of works will be drawn up in due course.

The most used paths lead to Carrauntuohill, Ireland’s highest mountain, including the Devil’s Ladder and O’Shea’s Gulley, which are displaying clear signs of heavy footfall and weather damage.

“Traffic on the reeks is increasing all the time, resulting in a worsening of the conditions of the trails,” explained forum co-ordinator Patricia Deane.

“There are also more sponsored events such as charity walks on Carrauntuohill, and a lot more people are also offering guided tours.”

All the land on the reeks is privately owned and the forum is seeking an indemnity for landowners from claims by people accessing their property.

A case on behalf of the landowners has already been made to the State Claims Agency.

A representative from the agency visited the area during the year. Risk benefits, legal pitfalls and legislation details are currently being looked at and it is hoped to make further progress on indemnity in 2015.

An awareness campaign has also been launched by the forum about the reeks.Dogs, for instance, are banned because of attacks on sheep in the past, while people are urged to show respect for private land and farming practices.

Users are also urged to have appropriate clothing and equipment with them and not to litter the area.

Furthermore, the forum has installed people counters at the three main access points to the reeks. The counters showed that 4,563 people had accessed the area during a three-week period last September.

The repair of the paths could cost upwards of €1m and while likely sources of funding are being pursued individuals can also contribute by signing up to Friends of Reeks through [e-mail].

Kerry County Council and the forum, meanwhile, are also looking at proposals to generate funding from car parking charges at access points, as well as income from the licensing of commercial operators.

The forum was set up to “protect, manage and sustainably develop” access to the reeks.

It is also a pilot project for similar areas in other parts of the country.

The forum is working on a plan for structured, permissive access to the uplands and to identify the most appropriate management model.

Centrally involved is the EU-funded South Kerry Development Partnership, which has a wide brief to stimulate enterprise and employment in the area, with sustainable use of natural resources.

A consultative process has been carried out involving as many local interests as possible.

Ms Deane, who is also South Kerry Development Partnership’s rural recreation officer, said it was essential that the concerns and requirements of landowners, as well as those who wish to access the land, were fully taken on board.

“This area is a significant resource in terms of outdoor activity in Kerry and one that needs to be carefully managed to ensure its long-term sustainability as working farm land, as well as a magnificent walking route and a sensitive environmental area,” said Ms Deane.

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