Information evening on controlling the rhododendron in Dunlewey

An Information evening in relation to the upcoming pilot project which is hoped will see the invasive species rhododendron being kept under control will take place in Dunlewey this Friday at 7.30pm. 

The evening will take place in the community centre. A demonstration in relation to control technique will take place the following Saturday at noon. 

Cairde na hEaragaile  CLG are now delighted to announce they have secured funding through a scheme called ‘LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature’ to undertake a Pilot Rhododendron Control Project. The first part of this project will see the complete surveying and mapping of the Dunlewey area. A company called Greentrack have been appointed to do this survey and work will begin on the mapping in early January. This survey and map will allow the group  to develop an action plan to tackle this non-native, invasive species. 

The second part of the project is to train 4/6 people in the control of the plant and to employ them on a part-time basis for approximately 3 months to undertake pilot Rhododendron control works. A similar project was trialed in the Bundorragh area of south Mayo last year and has shown great success. 

The group have arranged for the group from Bundorragh to come to Dunlewey on January 12 and 13  to inform them about their project. 

It is hoped this pilot project will be the beginning of a larger scheme where the individuals trained in will be able to undertake Rhododendron control works in other areas throughout the north west.

Meanwhile other works in the region are progressing well. The Sustainable Access and Restoration Project on Errigal  was completed in September 2023. This project  involved the construction of a path from the car park to the summit of Errigal. 

Cairde na hEaragaile would like to thank landowners along the line of the path and say this project could not have happened without their cooperation.

They say: “We are extremely grateful to them for giving permission for the path to be constructed. Much of the badly trampled bog is recovering well and we will be sourcing funding in 2024 to do work on the areas which need restoration interventions.”

A tender for sheep fencing along the road will be issued early next year.

Traffic issues 

The group are aware that there are major traffic issues in relation to traffic management and speed at the car park and i in Dunlewey village and are  working with DCC to find solutions.

A masterplan will be developed in 2024 which will look at connecting the car park with the village and developing Dunlewey as a safe gateway to Errigal. 

They say that there is no easy solution to the car park issue and recognise it is unlikely the car park will be extended, and even if it was, it would never be big enough to hold the number of cars at peak times. 

DCC are now seeking tenders from suitable consultants to design a solution to the issue, to encourage climbers to come into Dunlewey and to develop a sustainable infrastructure within Dunlewey to manage increased visitor numbers.

Pathway around the lake

The Gaeltacht group have also sourced funding through the Local Authority Waters Programme to undertake a feasibility study to develop a walking trail/path along the north shore of Dunlewey Lake, from Ionad Cois Locha to the old Church. 

This project is in its very early stages and negotiations are ongoing with the ESB for access through their lands. The lake itself is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a path will require a number of environmental assessment reports. It is envisaged that the path will incorporate erosion control measures to help to stabilise the banks of the lake. This project, if it comes to fruition will be an enormous asset to the area and could help to link Dunlewey with the Errigal car park and alleviate future traffic congestion on the road to the Poisoned Glen.