Conservation and Science

Welcome to the late July edition of my newsletter. An extra warm welcome if you're new here. It's great to see the influx of new subscribers, given it's the middle of holiday season, which is usually characterised by a lull in podcast listenership and viewership.

Today we're following on from the topic of land access discussed in episode 202. After that episode was published, a listener wrote in (I always encourage you to simply hit the reply button and share your thoughts and feedback) with comments about that episode. He responded at length about how the situation in Ireland differs from what we discussed in episode 202. It quickly became clear that John had considerable experience with land access in Ireland, particularly as he's a veteran hiker who works as a volunteer maintaining trails.

It was clear to me that inviting John to the podcast would be not only a great continuation of this important topic but also bring it closer to home here in Ireland. Regardless of where you are in the world, next time you're out and about, take a moment to think about who owns the land you're recreating on and that access to it is far from guaranteed.

Land Access and Irish Trails with John Smyth

Why are no trespassing signs appearing on Irish mountains that hikers have accessed for decades? Can walkers really sue farmers when they injure themselves on private land? What happens when busloads of tourists arrive at remote trailheads with no permission from landowners? Our guest John Smyth, a hiker with 20 years' experience in Connemara and volunteer with Mountain Meitheal Ireland, reveals how Ireland's hiking landscape has transformed from quiet trails to crowded mountains - and the growing tensions this creates.

John witnessed this dramatic shift firsthand, from days when you could have entire mountain ranges to yourself to the current reality of overflowing car parks and commercial guides leading groups across private farmland without permission. The Wild Atlantic Way's success, social media promotion, and COVID-19's outdoor boom brought thousands of new hikers to mountains that remain privately owned. Unlike Britain's established rights of way, Irish hikers rely entirely on farmers' goodwill. That goodwill is wearing thin as fences get damaged and livestock are stressed by unleashed dogs.

In our conversation, we explore practical solutions that are emerging to address this situation, including three-way partnerships between hiking clubs, Mountaineering Ireland, and Rural Recreation Officers aimed at building stiles and maintaining trails. We discuss liability concerns that keep farmers worried, the importance of proper hiking etiquette, and successful models like Kerry's collaborative approach to managing access. This episode offers essential insights into respecting the land and the people who own it for anyone who loves Ireland's mountains or is interested in land access.

207: Land Access and Irish Trails with John Smyth

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