A beautiful woodland area known as Mullaghmore plantation is very much a feature of the approach to Mullaghmore. It runs parallel to the approach road to the village and extends to approximately seven to 10 acres consisting mainly of sycamore, ash, willow, alder and some whitethorn. This area of mature deciduous woodlands was originally planted as a windbreak or shelter-belt. In the spring the leaves cover this woodland, thus adding to the magic of the area covered in a carpet of flowers with birds building nests. It acts as a screen as one approaches the village of Mullaghmore and it is important that the visual quality of the approach to the village should be preserved.
Woodlands represent an important asset for the development of Mullaghmore as a tourist attraction. The village boasts a fine harbour, a safe beach with blue flag status, with mountains on one side and wonderful woodland on the other. This woodland provides a home for an entire world of birds and other wildlife. It is a peaceful environment with an air of tranquillity and silence. This plantation took generations of hard work to make it as we have it today to enjoy it. Previous generations have maintained it and handed it on to the people of Mullaghmore in good repair. The major concern is that we must protect what is there for future generations.
In the Minister's reply to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 6 April 2000, she indicated that Dúchas, the heritage service, regards it as a special area of conservation and that she had moved initially to ensure that damaging works would be stopped. Works are, however, still on-going on this estate and the Minister indicated she was considering further action, including possible restoration of the site or prosecution if appropriate.
The building of Classiebawn Castle at Mullaghmore was begun by Lord Palmerston, then Prime Minister of England, and was completed by his step-son, Lord Mount Temple in 1874. The castle was built entirely of stone brought by sea from Donegal and the estate covers almost 1,000 acres. Lord Palmerstown also built a harbour at Mullaghmore and imported marram grass plant from India. He planted this special grass seed along the entire coastline to keep the sand dunes from moving and to stop coastal erosion.
The area marked 'commonage' on the map, a copy of which I can give the Minister later, is not part of Classiebawn Estate. Here the sand dunes are undisturbed. However, a significant number of the sand dunes and trees of Classiebawn Estate have been levelled and destroyed and the area now resembles a desert. This destruction can never be repaired. There is serious concern regarding the sand dunes, the fine trees being felled and the major threat from the slurry tanks on the estate. People are extraordinarily concerned by the apparent lack of controls.
In relation to the Minister's reply to Parliamentary Question No. 151 of 6 April, is the felling of trees taking place in an area of special conservation? Is the owner of the estate entitled to continue the indiscriminate felling of trees that is taking place?
Mullaghmore, as the Minister may know, is a beautiful part of County Sligo. From 1950 the Mountbatten family holidayed annually at Classiebawn estate. It is a major tourist attraction and people love to visit it but it is very much disturbed. For generations it was an estate to which people had free access but now, to the annoyance of the population of Mullaghmore, the destruction of the sand dunes continues. The Minister alluded in her reply to ‘possible restoration of the site'. Perhaps she might elaborate as to what she meant.
I appeal to the Minister to examine this issue which is of major concern. It is an historic building and estate and gives a sense of pride to the people of Mullaghmore since the time the Mountbatten family resided there on their holidays. Since that time, significant destruction has taken place. Can the Minister clarify what action she intends to take to rectify the problem?
