"ECO Warriors" camped at the Glen O' The Downs in Co Wicklow have declared business is "brisk" in their new-found position as the county's latest tourist attraction. The Eco Warriors, as they have become known since the first camper, Kevin, moved into the glen in May, are protesting against proposals by Wicklow County Council to site a dual carriageway along the glen floor. Numbers at the camp have swelled in recent weeks. On Saturday there was an estimated 15 makeshift tents and about six "houses" connected by ropes in the high branches of the trees.
A steady stream of sightseers has also built up, many of whom offer support and contributions of food, according to the campers.
According to Mr Mike Hammond from Sussex in England, the visitors are attracted by the strictly peaceful intent of the camp. "We can't stress enough that it is a peaceful camp," says Mr Hammond, who is known as "uncle Mike", a reference to the fact that at 35 he is about a decade older than most campers.
"People come and bring their children, just like when I was a child I was brought to see de Valera's funeral. Nowadays parents take the children to see the trees, to appreciate what a tree is before they lose them all."
The campers are now occupying land on both sides of the N11 with banners proclaiming "Help Us Save The Trees" and "You Can't Saw The Wood For The Trees" visible to traffic as it travels through the glen. Commenting on their relationship with the authorities, Dermot, another camper, told The Irish Times that relations had been good, so far.
"Someone came out from the OPW [Office of Public Works] and erected signs to inform us that it was illegal to erect signs in a national park and one guy came out from Wicklow County Council and doled out letters asking us to move."
At the weekend, the campers were making good use of the signs to hang collection boxes as they cleared up in anticipation of Bank Holiday visitors. Despite the "Robin Hood" style conditions, facilities at the camp aren't bad. One camper has a mobile phone, they now have a post box to which the postman regularly delivers - they claim the council's numbering of the trees has made postal service easier - and another camper suggested that they were hoping to have The Irish Times delivered.
While spirits are high at the moment, Mr Hammond says they are determined to stick it out throughout the winter. There have been many dates mentioned as the deadline for the bulldozers to arrive.
"First it was December, now I think it is more likely to be March," he said. Last week the campers held a meeting with Wicklow County Council, at which assurances were given by both sides that violent confrontations would be avoided, a sentiment endorsed by acting county secretary, Mr Seamus Walker.
"Wicklow County Council do not use violence. We regard ourselves as environmentalists and have gone through proper planning procedures, public consultation and the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement," he told The Irish Times. "There was a time for locals and anyone interested to make their views known and they availed of that opportunity. Modifications were made and the local environmentalists were satisfied. Now the road has to go ahead." However, according to Mr Hammond, while the cordial relations and assurances that there will be no violent evictions are welcome, the camp is becoming stronger. "We were told by Wicklow County Council that we are due to become a succession of nightmares for them. As long as we keep the peaceful attitude and get the support of the people, we will be here through snow, rain and sleet."