Ciaran Mather, 24 May
A Kildare county councillor has voiced his concerns that Kildare County
Council (KCC) is sending out 'mixed messages' regarding the Hill of
Allen.
Fine Gael Cllr Mark Stafford made the comments at the latest
Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on
Wednesday, May 17 last.
He put forward the following motion at the meeting: "That the council
cease to market the Hill of Allen in tourism or other forms of
marketing as a tourist destination or otherwise until safe public
access to the Hill is achieved."
Cllr Stafford’s motion was supported by his party colleague Cllr Kevin
Duffy.
Replying to Cllr Stafford, KCC said in its report: "Kildare Failte in
association with Kildare County Council have marked St Brigid’s Day
over the last three years by lighting up the Hill of Allen with the
permission of Roadstone on two evenings 31 January and 1 February.
"This started during the Covid pandemic to give a beacon of light to
brighter times ahead and has received positive feedback from local
communities and a great sense of pride."
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Afternoon of readings to take place in Newbridge, County Kildare as
part of June Fest
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PHOTO GALLERY: BIG TURNOUT AT NEWBRIDGE BOOK LAUNCH
PHOTOS: MARTIN CONNELLY
"The messaging stated that the site was not open to the public and also
as a precaution paid security was provided for the two nights, and no
issues arose.
"Locals were advised to watch from their homes or streaming online,"
KCC added.
In response, Cllr Stafford said: "I am frustrated over how we are
dealing with the Hill of Allen."
He said that while the site has a 'rich history' and is also a huge
employer for locals, he said that he is of the belief that KCC 'isn’t
grasping it by the nettle.'
"I feel like we are sending out mixed messages," he said: "I have no
problem with the beacon, I think it’s excellent, but as a local
authority, we need to decide if we are going to make it a tourist
attraction, or an amenity."
He also suggested for the MD office to work with the Clane-Maynooth MD
office, as the Hill of Allen is on the border with the MD, and thus
'may be liable for the Just Transition fossil fuel fund.'
Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said that accessibility and safety
needs to be highlighted at the site.