As Irish tourism slows down, many hillwalkers are finding their routes blocked by landowners. We must put our foot down and reassert our right of way, says Roger Garland, chairman of Keep Ireland Open
No Walkers Allowed. This stark warning appears on a recently erected sign in the Three Sisters area, near Dingle, Co Kerry. No ambiguity about that. No fudge. None of the "ah sure, don't mind that, I only put that up to keep the insurance company happy". And what's more, it was erected not by one landowner but by "Feirmeoirí an Baile" (Farmers of the townland).
The Three Sisters area, north west of Ballyferriter, offers a splendid six-kilometre cliff-top walk facing the Atlantic. It is hard to see what is behind this latest access difficulty, but meanwhile, a substantial portion of the local tourist industry is going down the tubes. This scenario contrasts with the claim from Cork/Kerry Tourism that this is "a region where people's tradition of gentle courtesy and hospitality is legendary". This is but one example of the denial of access to the countryside which is, unfortunately, on the increase.
What's to be done? Well, the first step is to admit that there's a problem. "Just a couple of flash points," says the IFA. Forty-plus by our reckoning. No problem, says Bord Fáilte. That is the official line, but from information which we have gleaned through a Freedom of Information request, we know that Bord Fáilte are beginning to get worried, and have received written complaints from foreign walkers. However, many disgruntled walkers don't complain - they just don't come back. You may be sure, though, that they tell their friends about the céad míle fáilte they have received. However, we would have to say that the majority of farmers do not see walkers as a problem.
The latest edition of Walking World Ireland includes a letter from a Belgian walker who says that he feels no longer able to recommend Ireland as a walking destination because of access problems on the Beara Way and the Sheeps Head Way.
According to Bord Fáilte, hikers and hill-walkers from abroad contributed €146 million to the economy in 1999, not to mind our own walkers which could well amount to the same again. Lest Bord Fáilte feels that we natives are a soft touch because we are a captive market, I would remind them that it's just as quick to get from Dublin to Snowdonia as it is to get to Kerry. Many of my walking friends are much more inclined to walk in Britain or the Continent where they can be assured that they have a legal right to access the mountains rather than the feeling of uncertainty which walkers feel when visiting the west of Ireland. Will the route be blocked with fences and notices? Or worse, will they be verbally or even physically abused by landowners?
Talking about assaults on walkers, it is fair to say that these are few in number, but they are a cause for major concern. Surprisingly, all of these have occurred in the west or south-west where the number of walkers is small, rather than Wicklow, where walking is more prevalent. These cases are not usually reported in the national media. One recent incident took place at Oghool beach, Co Mayo, where a landowner was found to have committed a "technical assault" on a hillwalker who gave evidence of being throttled by the landowner. The judge remarked that the walkers (who were from Dublin) appeared to feel that "property rights did not extend beyond the pale".
What do walkers want from landowners? Do we want the right to walk when and where we please? The answer is No. Our requirements are very limited. We want: freedom to roam over rough grazing land, that is about 7 per cent of the total land area; a network of marked rights-of-way in lowland areas to allow short walks and to access open ground; the absolute minimum of barbed-wire fencing in mountain areas.
Is this too much to ask? Would this represent a great inconvenience to farmers? Certainly most other European countries don't think so, judging by their signposted paths and unhindered access to their uplands. And, incidentally, they don't get paid for access. What is so different about Ireland? Maybe someone could tell us.
What is the solution? Current Government thinking seems to be that rights of way - even over traditional walking routes - are not to be encouraged as they may antagonise landowners and create legal difficulties. Freedom to roam is not even on the agenda. It might be unconstitutional, they say. What a cop-out. And fencing, this is required under the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme. Really? Yes. According to the regulations, fencing is supposed to enhance the visual amenities of the area.
Mind-boggling? That Ireland will come under pressure from the EU on access is apparent from reading the Opinion expressed by the Committee of the Regions, which clearly indicates that all EU countries should provide reasonable access to the countryside. Let's grasp this nettle now rather than wait for it to be imposed on us by Europe.
The broader question of farm subsidies cannot be ignored. There is a perception by many city folk, both in Ireland and throughout the EU, that many farmers have not been good stewards of their land in that they have contributed to the pollution of our waters, have cut down hedgerows and so forth. They are questioning the level of farm subsidies and feel that they are not getting good value for their taxes. The tractorcade last week aroused mixed feelings in urban areas.
Keep Ireland Open feels that a radical re-think of land use in our mountain areas would be a starting point. An interesting straw in the wind is the attitude in Co Mayo as reflected in the draft County Development Plan in reference to scenic amenities, where it says that these areas are vital to the tourist economy and could contribute to the diversification of the economy as traditional agriculture declines in economic importance. It appears obvious that most landowners in the uplands can make a better living from B & B accommodation for walkers, path and stiles maintenance or acting as walking guides than running a few ewes over the mountains, especially now that stock numbers have had to be reduced.
To sum up on a positive note: this can be a win-win situation. Unlike most urban dwellers, walkers have a special interest in our countryside. We seek to preserve rural life, not to destroy it. We have no doubt that farmers will come under increasing pressure from the urban taxpayers of Europe. Farmers, you need friends, we are offering you an olive branch. We really feel you should grasp it. To adapt that old-time musical, "farmers and walkers should be friends".