Diamond Hill gets €1.4m pathway to summit

Construction is to start this week on a €1.4 million pathway to the top of one of Connemara's best-known mountains, Diamond Hill, above the village of Letterfrack.

The route, a combination of wooden boardwalk and stone path, is being laid to combat erosion problems in the Connemara National Park, large sections of which have been off-limits to walkers for the past two years.

Because of these concerns, helicopters are being used to drop the materials for constructing the path. An estimated 2,500 helicopter trips will be needed to bring in the wooden planks and stones for the job over the next four weeks.

The less steep sections of the path, leading up from the park, will be constructed of wooden planks, while stone from a nearby quarry in Clifden is being used for the upper reaches. For safety reasons, the path will lead over the top of the mountain, around the back and down by a separate route until it joins the original route at the halfway point.

The planks used are grooved to minimise the risk of slips. Railway sleepers, which have been used in other situations where mountain erosion was a problem, were rejected because of the danger that toxic chemicals could leach from the sleepers into the soil.

An environmental impact study, carried out before the project was given the go-ahead, laid down strict guidelines for the construction methods to be followed and materials to be used. However, some locals fear the new walkway could turn out to be an eyesore.

The ascent of "the Diamond" is one of the most popular climbs in Connemara.

About 80,000 people visit the national park each year, and an estimated 10,000 attempt the climb.

The 12 Bens and other popular walks were not affected by the ban, though access to the higher peaks is not possible through the park.

Mr Padraic Lydon, a member of the local liaison committee of the park, said the path would allow more people to climb the mountain in greater safety, without damaging the environment.

"It was like a tractor driving into a boggy field; the path got badly eroded and it grew wider and wider. It has grown back a bit since the area was closed to walkers."

"When it's built, you can see people getting off the buses and giving it a go. Maybe not in high heels, but those in flat shoes should be able to avail of it."