Work has begun to uncover and restore the âÃireâ sign at Howth Head, installed almost 80 years ago to warn fighter pilots not to drop bombs on Ireland during the second World War.
Once restoration is completed at the end of the summer, it will be the only Ãire neutrality sign visible to passengers flying into Dublin Airport.
In 1943, 83 Ãire signs, measuring 12 by six metres and picked out in stone and painted with limewash, were assembled on headlands along the coastline to indicate the Stateâs neutrality to passing pilots. Fewer than 30 remain intact, with just a small handful in a restored or visible condition.
Premium Content Work has commenced on a major upgrade to the Minyon Falls visitor precinct. Lismore City Council posted on Facebook about changes happening in the area as part of the largest ever investment into National Park visitor infrastructure . Specialist contractors Wardrope and Carroll Engineering have been engaged by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as part of the NPWS Visitor Infrastructure Program, the post states. This is the first stage of the $7.35 million Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails Project, which will deliver high quality nature-based visitor experiences to boost the NSW visitor economy and community wellbeing. These upgrades will complement and protect the site s incredible natural and cultural values, while providing opportunities for a more diverse range of visitors to enjoy this spectacular spot.
Fine Gael Deputy Ciaran Cannon has welcomed a commitment by Failte Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to make a major investment in upgrading the Coole Park Visitor Centre.
There has been a mixed response to a revelation of plans to keep the Wollumbin summit track closed for good. COVID-19 concerns were cited as the initial reason for closing the track to the peak, also known as Mount Warning, in March 2020. At that time, many national parks across the state were similarly affected by restrictions resulting from the pandemic. But as restrictions eased, the Wollumbin closure continued. The National Parks and Wildlife Service confirmed in January the extended closure was still expected to be reviewed in May this year.
Emergency services have responded to 44 significant visitor safety incidents at Wollumbin National Park since 2010. The Wollumbin (Mount Warning) summit track was closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, but this was extended when safety concerns were brought to light. Rumours have this week been circulating about the removal of the chain from the top section of the summit track, along with questions about what this work means for the future of the trail. The track s extended closure was due to be reviewed in May 2021, and a National Parks and Wildlife Service spokeswoman has confirmed this is still the plan. An independent engineer s structural assessment conducted in August 2020 strongly recommended that the 100m chain section used by climbers to access the summit should be closed to visitors as the chain and posts were reaching the end of their design life and the risk of further accidents or fatalities as a result of catastrophic failure was very high, the spok