Amenity area blocked off

Brannockstown Community Committee has initiated talks with the owner of land at Carnalway where a traditional walking and swimming area has been blocked off.



The area, at Carnalway Bridge, has for generations been used by locals and people from further away as a family recreational amenity, and it is also on part of the Liffey where Kilcullen Salmon & Trout Anglers Association have controlled fishing rights for decades.



The Diary understands that landowner Michael Lannigan has been concerned about littering and anti-social behaviour by a small number of people in the vicinity of his farm.



The stile which provided access to the path and the swimming area was blocked by a wooden fence last Friday.



Pastor Robert Dunlop of the Community Committee says local people have 'great concern' about the move.

"There are families here in the village who remember using the path to go to Mass," he told the Diary. "And indeed, the folklore here has always held that it is part of a 'Mass Path'."

Saying that people 'have sympathy' with the problems being experienced by the landowner, Pastor Dunlop emphasises that locals 'cannot police' the area.

"But we are prepared to ask the Litter Warden to keep an eye on the area, and we would see if Kildare County Council would consider the provision of litter bins. In addition, we can talk to the Guards and see if they will put in an occasional appearance."

Some years ago, when a previous new owner decided to fence off what had always been a large open field, Brannockstown and Carnalway local people managed to persuade him to keep the fence back from the bank so that the amenity area was still accessible.

"There is always a difficulty in Ireland trying to retain rights of way," Pastor Dunlop commented, noting the more regulated and better documented system that pertains in Britain.

Brian Byrne.