Madam, - I do not like to disagree with your Editorial of July 17th on rights of way, or with the residents of Enniskerry who are trying to preserve what they consider to be such ways. However, the fact is that in this jurisdiction no such rights exist that are any use to leisure walkers.
What exist are routes that walkers consider to be rights of way. Unfortunately they are not noted on the county development plans, nor are they marked on maps, nor are they signposted. As demonstrated by the recent Co Wicklow "rights of way" fiasco, local authorities cannot even get the routes on to their plans. The Mountaineering Council of Ireland has put the situation well: "There are some traditional routes where, unless the landowner expressly denies walkers permission. . .to cross his land, walkers are entitled to cross the land". Some entitlement!
The MCI is evidently quite satisfied with this.
Anyone who cares about the parlous state of access to the countryside should be rather less so. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID HERMAN,
Meadow Grove,
Dublin 16.