Friends of the Murrough

Main objectives of Friends of the Murrough:

We wish to protect and enhance our coastal paths and create new recreational amenities for the public. We hope to achieve this through an application for a Special Area Amenity Order for the Murrough, extending to Wicklow Head. If this order is secured we hope to have fixed walkways with boardwalks where necessary together with established rights of way/rights to roam. It would also be our ambition to establish a coastal walk from Bray to Wicklow Town along with a park/nature reserve for the Broadlough area.

We at Friends of the Murrough would be very grateful if all those who are concerned about our coastal walks at Wicklow could sign our petition and help to expedite the preservation of this wonderful amenity area and the re-establishment all of the traditional walkways.

Why should a Special Amenity Order be necessary?

Any visitor to Wicklow Town, on ascending to the scenic view car park will always marvel at the view and the spectacular setting of our town, which is almost without parallel on this island. Truly, this is the Garden of Ireland, but how have we valued our heritage? The long curve of the bay stretches out in front of us with its adjacent hinterland situated between sea and lakes; this is known as the Murrough and it extends as far as Kilcoole railway station.

Read more on

See the supporters of Friends of the Murrough.

Read An Bord Pleanala Report which states that Multimental development is not exempted.

Heritage Week Events 21st and 28th August Nature Walk to Broadlough and Cliff Walk to Bride’s Head.

The changing landscape at Broadlough.

See the chronology of correspondence regarding Multimetals application for permit.

See the Terms and Provisions of the Waste Facility Permit granted to Multimetal Recycling Limited by Wicklow County Council

Section 5 Query Appeal to An Bord Pleanala by Friends of the Murrough

Proposal for Wicklow Town Council by Cllr. Pat Kavanagh

Appeal to An Bord Pleanala

Friends of the Murrough Expenses for Year 2009. Your contributions are appreciated

Urban Councillors' Meeting regarding scrapyard on Murrough.

Council’s reply to Section 5 query regarding the granting of licence to Multimetals

See our letters to the County Manager, the Environmental Section and the Planning Dept of Wicklow County Council in response to the proposed Scrap Yard.

Proposed Scrap Yard for Lakeside on Murrough. Read more and how you can get involved by 30th October 2009.

Coastcare Clean-up Sat. 17th October ‘09 at 1 pm. See details.

Coastal path will open up 1,000 miles of previously inaccessible land. All of the coast of England now open to the public. See news item.

A Coastcare sub-committee of Friends of the Murrough was recently formed. See news.

Read the Coastal Way Report by John Monaghan, Approved Trails Advisor on behalf of the Irish Sports Council

The latest development in our scenic area - beside the Murrough.

Submission to Wicklow Council 23rd December '08 concerning the County Development Plan. View details.

Submission to National Waymarked Ways Advisory Committee proposing coastal walks in the Wicklow area. View details.

Friends of the Murrough are shocked to learn of new plans proposing that Wicklow Bay is a likely location for a new port. Read our press release.

Response to our proposal for a Special Area Amenity Order See responses from Minister Gormley, Andrew Doyle TD, and Wicklow County Council.

Two and a half thousand signatures. To date, 2,500 people have signed our Petition and indicated their support for our campaign. Anyone who wishes can still sign our petition on this website.