Keep Ireland Open
Encyclopedia
Keep Ireland Open is a voluntary campaign organisation established to promote access to the Irish countryside and walkways. Founded in 1994, its current chairman is former Green Party TD, Roger Garland
. The group believes Irish legislation protecting rights-of-way
and access to recreational use of land is inadequate and minimal. It consists of combination of individual members and various outdoors and environmental groups; including the Irish Ramblers, An Óige
, all of the Scout and Guide Associations, the United Farmers Association
, Irish Wildlife Trust, Association of Irish Riding Clubs, Federation of Local History Society and numerous other walking groups. It claims that the Republic of Ireland
has one of the poorest records of protecting walking routes in Europe
and that it is heavily influenced by farmers' lobby groups that resist further legislation. The organisation states freedom to roam over rough grazing land, a network of well-maintained rights-of-way in lowland areas and minimisation of barbed-wire fencing in mountain areas, as its aspirations. Keep Ireland Open has also been involved in several individual access disputes around the country, in Wicklow
, Cork
, Sligo, Donegal
and many other areas. These include groups such as the Free the Old Head of Kinsale
campaign which campaign actively for restoration of public access where it was previously enjoyed.
Keep Ireland Open representatives would make presentations to government bodies, county councils, and submissions to Oireachtas Committees in support of the right to roam.
Roger Garland
Roger Garland is an environmental activist and a former Irish Green Party politician. He was the Green Party's first candidate to be elected to Dáil Éireann, representing Dublin South from 1989 to 1992....
. The group believes Irish legislation protecting rights-of-way
Easement
An easement is a certain right to use the real property of another without possessing it.Easements are helpful for providing pathways across two or more pieces of property or allowing an individual to fish in a privately owned pond...
and access to recreational use of land is inadequate and minimal. It consists of combination of individual members and various outdoors and environmental groups; including the Irish Ramblers, An Óige
An Óige
An Óige , or the Irish Youth Hostel Association is the Hostelling International's association for the Republic Of Ireland....
, all of the Scout and Guide Associations, the United Farmers Association
United Farmers Association
United Farmers Association is a lobbying / Union in TamilNadu, India. It specializes in organizing the efforts to protect and enhance the farming ecosystem. Since the year 2000, this Association has been promoting responsible farming techniques and to include organic farming techniques. The...
, Irish Wildlife Trust, Association of Irish Riding Clubs, Federation of Local History Society and numerous other walking groups. It claims that the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
has one of the poorest records of protecting walking routes in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and that it is heavily influenced by farmers' lobby groups that resist further legislation. The organisation states freedom to roam over rough grazing land, a network of well-maintained rights-of-way in lowland areas and minimisation of barbed-wire fencing in mountain areas, as its aspirations. Keep Ireland Open has also been involved in several individual access disputes around the country, in Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Sligo, Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
and many other areas. These include groups such as the Free the Old Head of Kinsale
Free the Old Head of Kinsale
Free the Old Head of Kinsale is a campaign group in County Cork, Ireland which campaigns for the restoration of public access to the Old Head of Kinsale, a scenic landmark in West Cork....
campaign which campaign actively for restoration of public access where it was previously enjoyed.
Keep Ireland Open representatives would make presentations to government bodies, county councils, and submissions to Oireachtas Committees in support of the right to roam.