Fears that partying teens will destroy wooded area

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – A quiet bird sanctuary in one of the most picturesque parts of the city has been overrun with young people partying during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Environmentalists fear that the area known as Birdwatch Woods or The Small Woods – which is part of Barna Woods – could be destroyed by bush-drinking.
Gangs of young people over the past three months have been attracted to the small wooded area adjacent to Lough Rusheen Park and opposite the main woods on the Barna Road.

As well as anti-social behaviour, such as late-night noise, and extensive littering, there is concern locally that the woods could catch fire from the bonfires lit during parties. Broken bottles, which pollute the area, are also a fire hazard during the spell of dry and sunny weather.

Salthill Gardaí are aware of the problem and have responded to numerous call-outs. Local politicians have also been alerted.

Dozens of youths have congregated at night during lockdown – their focal point is two secluded Birdwatch Ireland hides in a difficult-to-access enclave of the woods.
Unlike Silverstrand or Blackrock, much of the land at Rusheen Bay is privately owned, and is not designated for public leisure activities. Much of the area is also designated a Special Area of Conservation.

“It’s been occasionally used (by young drinkers) in the past but since the lockdown, it’s gone out of all proportion. It’s nearly every night gangs of young lads, students, Leaving Certs, late teens and early 20s, go there. They’re roaring and shouting and lighting big bonfires. The worst thing is the anti-social behaviour, and the yahooing out of them. They play loud music all hours of the day and night,” one concerned environmentalist familiar with the area said.
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