Heritage and Tourism Related Projects
Scoping and feasibility studies for Ards Forest Park and Curraghchase Forest Park, Coillte and Failte Ireland, ongoing.
Ruth is responsible for identifying key environmental considerations including protected species and habitats at these two very diverse forest parks owned by Coillte. Ruth has undertaken site visits, identification of suitable case studies and will be undertaking screening under article 6 (3) of the EU Habitats Directive of the preferred options for each of these parks.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment of County Clare Tourism Strategy, Clare County Council, ongoing.
Ruth is leading the project team in the SEA and AA of the 10 year Tourism Strategy for County Clare.
Environmental Impact Assessment Screening and Appropriate Assessment Screening of Grand Canal Greenway Projects –2015-2019
Counties Dublin, Westmeath and Offaly. Ruth has undertaken the EIA screening for a number of Greenway projects along the Grand Canal from Shannonharbour, Co Offaly, to Kilbeggan Co Westmeath and the 12th Lock South Dublin.
Environmental Advice and Appropriate Assessment for Masterplan at Ballallia Lough, County Clare, ongoing.
Working with the Paul Hogarth Company, Ruth has provided ongoing environmental advice and research in relation to this masterplan for an important Special Protection Area north of Ennis. Ruth researched historical landscapes, forestry as well as habitats present in and around the lake.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of Visitor Management and Sustainable tourism Plan for Inis Cealtra, Lough Derg, Co Clare – 2017
Working with Solearth architects, Ruth prepared the SEA of the draft plan on this unique island in Lough Derg, included on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites. Archaeology, Landscape and Ecology are key considerations in this SEA.
SEA and AA of County Mayo Tourism Strategy, Mayo County Council, 2015-2016
Ruth led the team on the SEA and AA of the Mayo Tourism Action Plan which underpins the tourism strategy for the county over the next five years. Working with Doherty Environmental, the team assessed the potential environmental effects associated with increasing the tourism activity in the county particularly around recreational activities such as walking, cycling spiritual tourism as well as the interaction with other plans such as the Wild Atlantic Way.
Built Heritage Hubs and advice, Waterways Ireland, 2016
Working with ACP (Architectural Conservation Practitioners) Ruth developed a series of potential heritage hubs associated with the property portfolio of Waterways Ireland across the country. This involved site visits and preliminary surveys at a number of built heritage properties across the Shannon, Barrow, and Grand Canals and identified potential case studies in relation to the restoration and reuse of a number of properties.
SEA and AA of County Offaly Greenways Strategy, Offaly County Council, 2015
Working with Doherty environmental Ruth undertook the SEA and AA of the Greenways strategy; part of this work included the preparation of an EIA Screening report for a part 8 planning application to undertake improvement works to the Grand Canal.
Other Tourism and Heritage Related Projects
Ecological Advice for refurbishment of King John’s Castle, Limerick City
Lough Derg Heritage Audit –advice regarding siting and interpretation
Feasibility study for the development of a glamping site at Boolteens, County Kerry
Feasibility study for eco-pods accommodations near Millstreet, County Cork
Policy review and statutory consultation for Clonmacnoise World Heritage Management Plan
Preparation of best practice guidelines for community development of walking trails in the Burren, County Clare
Development of interpretative and educational materials for Delphi Lodge Mountain Resort
AA Screening for Greenways Extension from Westport to Beartra
Ecological Advice to Mayo County Council relating to potential Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points and additional walking and cycling routes.
Landscape Character Assessment Projects
Assessment of how landscape character assessment may assist treatment of landscape issues in SEA in Ireland. A best practice review. EPA – 2016
Ruth is currently researching best practice in LCA and SEA for the Environmental Protection Agency with the aim of demonstrating good practice from the island of Ireland and elsewhere in relation to LCA and how it may enhance SEA. Case studies have included forestry, transport, flooding and spatial planning.
Landscape Character Assessment of Royal and Grand Canals in Dublin, Waterways Ireland, 2016
Ruth led the team that undertook the study from the docks to the M50 of the two canals. This work included historical landscape characterisation, as well as townscape assessment and identification of key nodes and features of cultural and landscape significance in and along the two canals.
Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) and Capacity Advice, South Dublin County Council- 2015
Ruth led leading a multi- disciplinary team of landscape architects, archaeologists and GIS specialists undertaking a LCA and Historic Landscape Characterisation for South Dublin County. This work involves full LCA and provision of landscape sensitivity and capacity advice in relation to inter alia, wind energy, housing, built environment and infrastructure.
LCA of County Westmeath, 2014
This community funded LCA was undertaken to provide a baseline assessment of the landscape character of the county with particular focus on cultural heritage and areas of significant archaeological potential. Ruth also prepared capacity advice in relation to landscape character and wind energy.
Design and Delivery of Heritage Council CDP Course on Landscape Character Assessment, 2009-2011
Ruth was part of the team that designed and delivered the 2 day award winning LCA training course. Delivered over a two day period in west and east Clare the training addressed all elements of LCA including historic landscape characterisation. Ruth researched and helped design the course and delivered the training module on public participation and landscape character assessment with the Landscape Observatory of Catalonia.
Landscape Character Assessments of County Clare (2001-2001), North Tipperary (2004-2005), IRD Duhallow (2005) and Briefne Kingdom (2003-2005)
Ruth project managed the above projects whilst working for ERM Ireland. In her role she undertook all elements of the project including desktop research, fieldwork, reporting, consultation and client liaison. For all county level LCAs, advice and guidance was prepared in relation to landscape character sensitivity and capacity to accommodate development including specific development themes such as wind energy, housing, infrastructure and forestry.
For LCAs such as that undertaken for the Breifne Kingdom the focus was on tourism and landscape character. For IRD Duhallow, the LCA aimed to provide a baseline for the landscape management approach and opportunities under the Rural Development Programme. This LCA had a strong focus consequently on agriculture, forestry, rural tourism and cultural heritage.