PROTECTING HOWTH’S HERITAGE
Howth’s East Mountain forms a dramatic landscape protected for its unique environmental and ecological value
This is our year 2 site assessment from ecologist Dr. Mary Tubridy.
RESTORING THE “EIRE 6” SIGN
Howth Head is one of three national Special Amenity Area Orders (SAAO) and is also protected under the UNESCO Natura 2000, a European order to protect flora and fauna.
When a restoration of the EIRE-6 sign was first proposed, Fingal County Council commissioned Faith Wilson Ecological Consultants to produce a flora study, an advisory note on the impact of removing vegetation to expose the sign and advice for restoring and maintaining it compatible with habitat protection. The study provides a detailed description of the sign, its location and the vegetation and habitats of the immediate area around it. The report was submitted in September 2019.
In the autumn of 2019 an Appropriate Screening was conducted, supported by the SAAO. The Restoration Group’s application (ARC) was submitted to the NPWS for permission to remove vegetation.
The group agreed to a partial restoration of the sign that is compatible with preservation and management of the heathland in a manner that does not damage its habitats. Summarising the approach, the report stated that “if the mitigation and methods outlined … are followed for exposing the sign and for maintaining it, then no significant loss of habitat will result and the integrity of the site will not be compromised.”
To achieve this, it recommends initially only restoring the lettering itself, leaving the triangular area as is, and the existing vegetation “adjacent to the path” not be removed: “It would be … desirable if the EIRE 6 sign only was exposed and the surrounding vegetation left in situ so that the letters are effectively set within a sward of existing vegetation. … The surrounding vegetation can be trimmed and kept short on an ongoing basis and any colonisation of the letters by either gorse or other species can be effectively weeded-out.” As regards the stones of the sign, the study proposes that slightly larger stones of c. 20-30cm diameter “of a siliceous nature ideally … of local origin” be added to replace material that has been removed, and be painted white or whitewashed as in restorations elsewhere.
Restoration and Long-Term Maintenance.
The Restoration Group broke ground on the site on Monday 17th February 2021 and the rebuilding of the sign will begin when level 5 restrictions are lifted. On Monday the first signs of the letters were exposed. It is 78 since their foundation.
Origional stone and added local stone will be used. In uncovering the sign, vegetation around it has now been strimmed, and will be “kept to a minimum” All the restoration work will be in collaboration and “under the supervision of a plant ecologist”.
*We have one of Howth’s leading and most respected ecologist on board to oversee the complete restoration.
The letters are fully cleared and in maintaining the sign “vegetation between the letters … [should be] strimmed to c.5-10cm annually/biannually depending on levels of regrowth”, and any regrowth within the letters themselves “either trimmed manually with a secateurs or treated with vinegar.”
While the Restoration Group initially sought a restoration encompassing the “box” of the sign and its triangular enclosure, it welcomes the Faith Wilson Report as a viable compromise solution and supports it in full.
LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE OF “EIRE 6”
The EIRE-6 Restoration Group aim to develop a sustainable maintenance plan in line with the Faith Wilson Report, ensuring the sign remains a well maintained historical monument of local and national interest. There is a large voluntary community in Howth a local heritage society, Coastguard and Tidy Towns groups, several sports clubs and a committed Community Council. Organising the long-term maintenance of the site can be achieved in a good spirit of cooperation between all public agencies and voluntary bodies. The Restoration Group has strong local support for the project, as well as from local public representatives.
Our goal is to include and encourage our local youth to participate and engage in their heritage.
The Eire 6 restoration partnered with Airnav Ireland as sponsors for the maintenance program.
In April 2024 the restoration group has continued to maintain the sign as she has received her 7th coat of whitewash.
