94 MOURNE GONDOLA PROJECT UPDATE Mountaineering Ireland welcomed the National Trust’s confirmation at the beginning of May that they would not lease their lands at Thomas’ Mountain, on the lower slopes of Slieve Donard, to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for the construction of a large-scale visitor centre and gondola cable-car ride. While this means the gondola cannot go ahead at that location, the council subsequently said it intends to move the project from Newcastle to Rostrevor, on the opposite side of the Mournes. The proposed gondola remains a concern due to its landscape and environmental impact, and also because it would almost certainly soak up the resources that are needed to sustainably manage the impact of current visitor activity in the Mournes. Over the last two months, Mountaineering Ireland has engaged with elected representatives to discuss alternatives to the gondola, and particularly to consider more sustainable alternative options. For more information go to www.mountaineering.ie/news/default.aspx?id=576. ACCESS NOTE : Sp i nc route c l osure Part of the Spinc route (the White Trail) in Glendalough, Co Wicklow will be closed for essential upgrade works over the coming months, which means that walkers will not be able to complete the full loop. The closure will be in two phases, initially affecting the high part of the route, down to the footbridge in the Glenealo valley, for a period of 7–9 weeks. The red and blue routes will remain open during this phase of work. For updates see: www.nationalparks.ie/wicklow/spinc-trail-works-2025 MOUNTAIN LOG ACCESS & ENVIRONMENT
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