Tourist Denied Full Access To Prime County Wicklow Location

Tourists from many parts of the world are being denied full access to one of Co. Wicklow's prime tourist locations since the area was ravaged by the major storms that hit the county in early November last year.

Now furious public representatives and tourism promoters are calling on Wicklow Co. Council to act immediately in making the area, the famous Meetings of the Waters in Avoca, fully accessible to the general public again particularly with the start of the tourist season so close.

Two trees which blew down across one of the main walkways leading to the spot where the

`The Meetings of the Waters'

rivers meet have caused Wicklow Co. Council to cordon off the area while the floods lifted up several paving slabs along the riverside path. The famous Tom Moore's tree where the renowned poet wrote `The Meetings of the Waters' was also damaged during the storm and needs attention.

Mr. Peter Moore, owner of the Meetings licensed premises is angry over the fact that no form damage repair has been carried out to the affected areas since November 5th. despite the fact that the famous landmark is the second most visited tourist spot in Co. Wicklow after Glendalough.

`In my 12 years here I have never asked anyone to do anything in relation to The Meetings but I am appealing to Wicklow Co Council to carry out this work as a matter of urgency. Visitors have been flocking to this area since 1807 and its beauty has been chronicled worldwide', said Peter.

Confirming that he has received numerous complaints from visitors, Peter said that a major job must be carried out. `It will not be enough just to take away the fallen trees. The Council will have to replace the paving that has been lifted from its base and do something to prevent further flooding from the river in future', he claimed.

He added that at least half a million people visit the area each year and the Meetings has been consistently featured on international holiday shows on television. `There is a world wide awareness of the beauty of this area and it is a shame that people can no longer see the two rivers meet due to the fallen trees', he added.

` The Council erected a barrier to prevent people from entering the affected area but I have seen several tourists climbing over that barrier so there is always a risk that someone will be hurt', he explained.

One of the public representatives who has taken up the battle for immediate action is Councillor Nicky Kelly who described the situation as a major scandal which would not be tolerated by people in any other top tourist county if similar harm was caused to their beauty spots.

`This area is one of the jewels of Wicklow tourism both nationally and internationally and I have demanded immediate action on this matter by the Council. There is a major spin off for the entire district through the thousands of people who visit here and yet this current situation is allowed to just remain', said Councillor Kelly.

He added that tourism in the county has suffered enough through the foot and mouth precautions but there is absolutely no need to have a continuation of this situation at the Meetings. ` This matter has been dragging on for four months which is totally unacceptable', said Councillor Kelly.