SDCC PROPOSAL

SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL WANTS TO SPEND OVER €19 MILLION TO TRANSFORM MASSY’S ESTATE AND THE HELLFIRE CLUB INTO A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION

Friends of Massy’s Wood, Residents Associations and Community Groups have joined forces to protect this natural wilderness from inappropriate development. We need your support to maintain the natural integrity of the landscape and protect the environment from commercial exploitation.

As part of the SDCC plan, they intend to construct a large “interpretive centre” and a sky-bridge that extends over the road between the two grounds. The scale of this development can only have a negative impact on what is already a very fragile environment.

Regular visitors will notice that the grounds of the Hellfire Club have already suffered from frequent logging. The trees near the entrance of the park were cut down last year, leaving a desolate expanse. The ecosystem has suffered drastically as a result.

The actions by SDCC, so far is to exclude public participation and engagement – they have even asked residents to stop writing letters to them.

We believe that this proposal by South Dublin County Council will have a catastrophic impact upon an already beautiful and natural amenity and its surrounding environs for the following reasons:

Interpretive Centre

Approximately the size of a shopping centre; catering for 300,000 visitors per annum and associated car parking.

Environment and Wildlife

The development will change forever this valuable amenity, environment and fragile ecosystem. This wilderness is a rich and diverse habitat and is home to many wildlife species including the rare red squirrel, brown hare and woodpeckers etc.

Archaelogy

This is a Neolithic landscape of huge national and international importance. It has not been fully investigated. This rush to development can only result in obliterating potential treasures. According to Abarta Heritage, who carried out the recent excavations on Montpelier Hill, “there is much more to be discovered about the site.

Cable Car and Tree Top Footbridge

These grounds are a natural wilderness not a theme park.

Road Safety

This narrow rural road cannot accommodate existing traffic volumes. Road capacity, access, visibility and effects on pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and wildlife are being ignored.

Admission Charges

This natural wilderness, which is enjoyed by all, will no longer be free.

HOW YOU CAN HELP