Public access to Wicklow lighthouse due to be restored shortly

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

The June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District has heard of an agreement that has been reached with a local landowner over restricted access to the Lighthouse Road in Wicklow town.

The access road to the lighthouse on Wicklow Head, which is a Special Protection Area, has been closed off for nearly three years.

The owner of the land, through which the lighthouse road runs, cited insurance concerns about walkers along the route as the main reason for restricting access.

The agreement will see Wicklow County Council enter into a lease agreement for the relevant piece of land.

Insurance responsibilities will be transferred to Wicklow County Council and allow unrestricted access along the road for the public.

District manager Brian Gleeson told elected members the lease agreement is being drafted by the legal representatives of both parties at present, with the details to be formally published shortly.

In welcoming the news, Cllr Paul O’ Brien said: “It’s great news that a resolution to the situation has now been agreed upon. It’s a huge tourist attraction as well, so opening access again can only be good news for Wicklow town.

The closure has frustrated both locals and visitors since the route was blocked off in 2022.

Keep Ireland Open held a public protest over the issue in September 2023 when over 150 people gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the restrictions.