Minutes of Meeting held Wednesday 21st June

2023 in Baldoyle Public Library

Present: Philip O’Connor, Dougal Cousins, Edgar McLoughlin, Jacqueline Feeley, Mary O’Connor

David Healy, Joan Hopkins, Hans Visser, Gemma Carr, Fearghal McSweeney, Carol

Hurley, Deirdre O’Farrell, David Daly

Apol.: Mary Tubridy, Nessa O’ Brien, Mary Godwin, Ray Gilmore

SAAO/2 Minutes of previous meeting: Minutes of meeting of 15/03/23 proposed (by Jackie

Feeley), seconded (by Dougal Cousins) and adopted. No matters arising.

SAAO/8 A.O.B:

• Renovation of pathway at Bellinghams may need Bord Pleanala approval. Hans to

explore this further.

• Hans requested volunteers for stand at Maritime festival on the 2nd and 3rd September.

Minutes: David Daly

Signed:

Philip O’Connor, Chair, SAAO

20/09/23

SAAO/3 Update on SAAO works being implemented by Fingal Co. Co.: Deirdre reported on ongoing

rhododendron control works, drone footage will be collected to determine the spread of

Rhododendron at the Summit area. Pigs have arrived at Red Rock for Bracken control, trial in one

acre area and timelapse camera to check progress. Directional signage has been ordered including

for the quarry, and will be installed once received. Recovery of Bog of Frog is going well and Mallard

with ducklings was spotted earlier this month. Wall at Green hollows has been reinstated.

Deirdre is willing to meet any volunteer group to teach how best to remove rhododendron

SAAO/4 Report from Conservation and Recreation Sub-Committee: Dougal read the report. Update

sought on when fire report will be received - Hans to follow up. Biodiversity Plan for Howth Golf

Course now finished and to be followed up: Mary Tubridy will do a presentation next mtg. Reports

of a stand of trees cut down in Howth Golf Club or Deerpark. Report on enforcement was given by

Fearghal McSweeney. Total goat numbers now 111, with 37 kids born. Counter machine at

Balscadden being repaired. Deirdre to circulate count numbers. Philip wrote to Padraig O’Donnell

and Minister O’Brien re NWPS rep on SAAO: now advised by NPWS to write directly to Mairéad

Stack to participate in SAAO committee.

2

SAAO/5 Report from Planning and Communications Sub Committee: Jackie read report. Committee

had special mtg on comms strategy facilitated by Sinead Begley. Agreed to produce Terms of Ref

for part-time contractor/volunteer to maintain SAAO online presence. Key target group is local

community for raising awareness. Package to include website and social media, brochure, annual

talk and set of guided walks which are to be funded from SAAO budget. Sinéad’s report will be

circulated when available. Updated Irish Language version of logo by Des Mullen presented and

agreed. Photos of potential breach of planning permission presented. Fearghal advised that any

such should be submitted via a Planning Enforcement Form.

SAAO/6 Howth Pathways: Most issues covered earlier in C&R Sub-Cttee report.

SAAO/7 Expenditure: one upcoming expenditure item: hay collecting Red Rock (c. €6-7000). This

expenditure was approved

SAAO/8 A.O.B:

• Renovation of pathway at Bellinghams may need Bord Pleanala approval. Hans to

explore this further.

• Hans requested volunteers for stand at Maritime festival on the 2nd and 3rd September.

Minutes: David Daly

Signed:

Philip O’Connor, Chair, SAAO

20/09/23