Madam, - While I recognise David Herman's great contribution to promoting walking in Ireland, I have to disagree with his view that there are effectively no rights of way for walkers in Ireland (Letters, August 2nd). The position is neither as bleak nor as straightforward as he suggests.
Rights of way were established and maintained by local people through centuries of use. Some existed for a thousand years before either county councils or county development plans were ever heard of. Some are well documented on maps and local histories, others are known to only a few local people. Their legitimacy comes from continuous use rather than official documents.
Seán Quirke, director of services for Wicklow County Council, has confirmed my view that the failure to include rights of way in the recent county development plan does not affect their status: "If it was a right of way before it still is." (RTE, Five Seven Live, July 12th.)
Wicklow County Council has also granted planning permission for several houses in the Enniskerry area on condition that the builders respect existing rights of way and erect stiles at specific points. This tends to confirm my belief that existing rights of way do have some legal protection when the council is willing to use its authority.
It is ironic that we are facing an all-out effort to close traditional walking routes while little country roads are turned into death traps by speeding commuter traffic. Enniskerry people have come to realise that if we don't take a stand now there will be nowhere safe for our children and grandchildren to walk. We feel we are entitled to more support from Wicklow County Council in maintaining a basic human right; the right to walk in safety. - Yours, etc.,
EDWARD SWAINE, Millfield, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.