Present: Philip O’Connor (Chair), Patrick Daly, Jacqueline Feeley, Mary Tubridy, Helen Gilmore, Killian O’Sullivan, Andrew Flemming, Sorcha King, Lisa Doyle, Eoin Quinlan, Hans Visser, Mary O’Connor, Guy Molyneux, Representatives from Fuzion.

Apologies: Cllr. Joan Hopkins, Cllr. Cathal Haughey, Cllr. David Healy, Caroline Core Grimes, Fearghal McSweeney, Renee Malone, Mairéad Stack, Nessa O’Brien,

Item 1: Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th June were Proposed (by Dougal Cousins) and Seconded (by Jacquline Feeley) and approved.

Item 2: There were no matters arising from the last meeting.

Item 3: Therese Casey gave an update on Operations works in the SAAO. The clearance of paths was going well, there are no further works planned for this year. Path works are done in close consultation with Howth Pathways.

Item 4: Hans Visser gave an update on Fingal Biodiversity. 10-year SAC plan being completed. To implement all measures would require €650,000 p.a. Examining options through Dublin Bay Biosphere, conservation group volunteers etc. There were mixed results with the heather replanting trial on East Mountain, with an full evaluation next year. The plants need to be more established before planting to give the best results. There will be further works at the fire breaks on the upper cliff path (near Heather Cottage). The post/rope solution to contain heathland erosion to be extended to sites on upper cliff path before December.

Item 5: Mary Tubridy reported for the Conservation and Recreation Subcommittee. Mary is stepping down as chair and is being replaced by Dougal Cousins. Philip thanked Mary of behalf of the SAAO Cttee. for her years of work and her great contribution since joining the SAAO.

Mary’s report (full report attached) noted that Declan Doogue’s ‘Survey of Locally Important Plant Sites on Howth’ will proceed with FCC support in the autumn. Hans reported on preparations for fencing at the Nose of Howth and Whitewater Beach for safety reasons and bird and habitat protection; removal of Rhododendron ponticum in Howth Demesne and other invasives elsewhere; and FCC examination of drainage system at Redrock. Sub-Cttee also discussed MKO’s Draft SAC Management Plan, implementation of Howth Golf Club Biodiversity Action Plan and presentation of a Heritage Council study of community involvement in heritage management at the Uplands Forum (SAAO is referenced in this as a “good practice”).

Item 6. Jackie Feeley reported for the Planning and Communications Subcommittee (Report attached).  Press/social media PR output is of an excellent standard regarding both content and visuals. Unfortunately it rarely highlights the SAAO itself, which was the main reason for the project, describing all work done as FCC work. It was agreed that after the minutes are circulated, the Sub-Cttee meet (online mtg.) with Fuzion to discuss a strategy on this.

The SAAO community information meeting is taking place this evening in Howth Yacht Club. It will be inroduced by Philip and presentations will be made by Lorraine Bull (on Irelands Eye works) and Lisa Doyle (other works in Howth). Hans Visser will lead a consultation session on Whitewaterbrook beach.

Item 7. Dougal Cousins reported from Howth Pathways. The group meets regularly with FCC Ops and liaises with Therese Casey identifying work needed.

Item 8. Hans Visser presented an overview of expenditure and income for 2025. These figures are to be circulated with the minutes of the meeting.

Item 9. Andrew Fleming of OWLS gave a presentation on the SAAO schools programme in the three local primary schools. The program covers four visits per year per school and focusses on the history of the landscape of Howth, Irelands Eye and the Marine Environment. The topic for each school differs per year, so over the three years they will learn about all three topics. The first visit includes a slideshow, followed by classroom projects during the second visit. The third visit is a practical workshop and the fourth a site visit - a boat trip to Irelands Eye, a boat trip around Howth Head or a visit to the goats. The school visits target 3^rd and 4^th class and reaches around 40 kids per school per year.

AOB: Jackie Feeley requested that an update be given on planning enforcement action at the next SAAO meeting.

Philip outlined a proposal from a teacher at Scoil Mhuire, James Burke, for a cattle grazing project at Alice's Cottage, East Mountain. It was agreed to support the proposal in principle, further to a detailed plan being presented.

The meeting concluded at 17:00

Next meeting to be held at 3pm on Wednesday 10^th December.

Location: Baldoyle Library