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Part of Irelands National Agri-Environment Scheme
The Leinster Co-operation Project is headed by Padraig Cronin.
It is based in Blessington, Co. Wicklow. For Administrative purposes it is divided into four parts.
The Leinster Co-operation area is spread over seven counties. It contains all of the mountain ranges in Leinster – the Slieve Blooms, the Blackstairs, the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains – and the Cooley peninsula. A large part of Ireland’s dry heath habitats are found in these mountains, vital habitats for a wide range of upland species including the Red Grouse.
The area presents unique challenges, including an exceptionally high proportion of commonage and proximity to densely populated areas. There are complex land management issues arising from the diverse interests of stakeholders. Wildfire, recreational pressure, and the management of deer populations are significant challenges in many areas, but are particularly acute in the Wicklow Mountains.
From a water-quality perspective the ACRES Leinster Co-operation Area contains the headwaters of the Liffey and the Slaney and important tributaries of the Barrow. Dublin City’s water supply comes from reservoirs in the Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. The management of the uplands that provide that supply is important for the whole country.
The objectives listed are not in order of priority nor does the list include all of the objectives in each area. At a local scale there will be additional priorities.
Unit 1E, Blessington Business Park, Blessington, Co Wicklow, W91W0DX.
It is led by Padraig Cronin and Deputy Project Manager Brian Dunne.
The Slieve Blooms are part of ACRES Munster South Connacht, but local
Co-operation team activities
will be administered from the ACRES Leinster Office.
Fergal has 25 years’ experience in the agri-environment sector, including 20 years as a farm a...
Padraig has over 20 years’ experience working in the agricultural sector. He was a project off...
Brian comes from a farming family in the Wicklow Mountains. He worked on the SUAS EIP Project for fi...
Hugh has an MSc in Applied Environmental Science from UCD and has experience surveying birds, butter...
Shane comes from a farming background and has a degree in Wildlife Biology. He has a keen interest i...
| Fergal has 25 years’ experience in the agri-environment sector, including 20 years as a farm advisor working with farmers in High Nature Value areas throughout Ireland. He led the development of the Hen Harrier Project and was instrumental in the introduction of new technologies that enabled the large-scale rollout of the results-based approach. He has a particular interest in engaging communities in the landscape level approach to addressing environmental challenges and in the use of new technologies to support the work of project teams. |
| Padraig has over 20 years’ experience working in the agricultural sector. He was a project officer in the south-west region on the Hen Harrier Project EIP. An approved agricultural advisor, who holds specialist knowledge and experience in the design and development of results based agri-environment schemes, farmland biodiversity and freshwater habitats. He has a particular interest in peatland restoration, farmland birds and improving aquatic biodiversity at a farm level. Padraig is also a drystock beef farmer on HNV farmland in Co. Kerry. |
| Brian comes from a farming family in the Wicklow Mountains. He worked on the SUAS EIP Project for five years which gave him valuable experience delivering an agri-environment project for farmers in the Wicklow and Dublin uplands. He has a degree in Environmental Biology and Masters in Plant Biology. He enjoys working with farmers and local community groups and is particularly interested in peatland restoration, farmland biodiversity and water quality. |
| Hugh has an MSc in Applied Environmental Science from UCD and has experience surveying birds, butterflies, bumblebees and stream macroinvertebrates in the Wicklow Mountains, as well as grasslands and land use across Ireland. He is passionate about conserving uplands and rivers and enjoys spending his time in the mountains. |
| Shane comes from a farming background and has a degree in Wildlife Biology. He has a keen interest in bird ecology and landscape level influence on bird populations. Shane hopes to work alongside farmers within local communities to achieve an economically viable farming enterprise that supports the environment, biodiversity and rural enterprises. |
