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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Fine Gael councillor Mark Stafford.
A Kildare county councillor has voiced his concerns that Kildare County Council (KCC) is sending out 'mixed messages' regarding the Hill of Allen.
Fine Gael Cllr Mark Stafford made the comments at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Wednesday, May 17 last.
He put forward the following motion at the meeting: "That the council cease to market the Hill of Allen in tourism or other forms of marketing as a tourist destination or otherwise until safe public access to the Hill is achieved."
Cllr Stafford’s motion was supported by his party colleague Cllr Kevin Duffy.
Replying to Cllr Stafford, KCC said in its report: "Kildare Failte in association with Kildare County Council have marked St Brigid’s Day over the last three years by lighting up the Hill of Allen with the permission of Roadstone on two evenings 31 January and 1 February.
"This started during the Covid pandemic to give a beacon of light to brighter times ahead and has received positive feedback from local communities and a great sense of pride."
"The messaging stated that the site was not open to the public and also as a precaution paid security was provided for the two nights, and no issues arose.
"Locals were advised to watch from their homes or streaming online," KCC added.
In response, Cllr Stafford said: "I am frustrated over how we are dealing with the Hill of Allen."
He said that while the site has a 'rich history' and is also a huge employer for locals, he said that he is of the belief that KCC 'isn’t grasping it by the nettle.'
"I feel like we are sending out mixed messages," he said: "I have no problem with the beacon, I think it’s excellent, but as a local authority, we need to decide if we are going to make it a tourist attraction, or an amenity."
He also suggested for the MD office to work with the Clane-Maynooth MD office, as the Hill of Allen is on the border with the MD, and thus 'may be liable for the Just Transition fossil fuel fund.'
Fianna Fáil Cllr Noel Heavey also said that accessibility and safety needs to be highlighted at the site.
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