News

NPWS acquires 40 hectares adjacent to Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in Wicklow

Date Released: Wednesday, December 3, 2025

  • Acquisition by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will increase the size of the nature reserve by two thirds to a total of 100 hectares
  • Glen of the Downs is one of Ireland’s few remaining ancient oak woodlands, ranking fifth in the country in terms of its condition
  • Restoration of new lands will support delivery of Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan

Over 100 acres of lands adjoining the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in Co. Wicklow has been acquired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Parks and Wildlife Service to support Ireland’s nature restoration objectives. The announcement was made today (Wednesday December 3rd) by Tánaiste, Simon Harris TD, along with Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, and Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD.

This strategic purchase will see the conversion of commercial timber forestry into native woodland over time, utilising local seed sources, invasive species controls and techniques such as Continuous Cover Forestry to enable a sensitive transition that protects vulnerable soils. The project will serve as a valuable example of best practice to support the delivery of key objectives under the Nature Restoration Law to expand rare old sessile oak woodland – a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive – on public land. A long-term woodland management plan for the site is at an advanced stage and will be published in due course.

Speaking at the launch in Co Wicklow, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, welcomed the acquisition saying:

“This acquisition is fantastic news for nature and for the people of Wicklow and I am delighted to announce it this morning. Expanding the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve will support the restoration of native woodlands and increase the extent of recreational trails managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I would like to thank my colleagues, Minister Browne and Minister O’Sullivan, with whom I have worked closely over the past number of months to secure this important site.”

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, added:

“It’s great to be in Wicklow this morning with my Government colleagues to announce this strategic acquisition. By increasing the size of the Glen of the Downs and expediting a nature restoration initiative to re-establish an important native woodland habitat, we are making a significant contribution towards our Programme for Government commitment to expand our National Parks and Nature Reserves while also leading from the front on public land to achieve Ireland’s obligations under the Nature Restoration Law.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said:

“The Glen of the Downs is one of Ireland’s first and best-loved Nature Reserves and one of the most important sites in the country for ancient Sessile Oak woodland. Today’s addition of 40 hectares of adjoining lands presents an amazing opportunity to set the national standard for the conversion of commercial conifer forests and re-establishment of high priority native woodland habitats in complex, sensitive environments. It will be a slow process, but we’re in it for the long haul with a new woodland management plan for the site that is looking ahead to the end of the century. It’s a really exciting project and I can’t wait to see how it develops over time.”

Established in 1980, the Glen of the Downs was one of the very first Nature Reserves in Ireland and today’s significant acquisition will see its expansion by 68% from its current 146 Acres (59Ha) to 246 acres (100ha) and will allow the replacement of non-native conifer plantation with a more biodiverse native woodland. The Glen of the Downs is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the habitat old sessile oak woods and is one of Ireland’s few remaining ancient woodlands. It is highly ranked nationally for its conservation condition and supports rare species of fungi, bryophytes and invertebrates such as the liverwort Turner’s Threadwort, a rare plant species known in only five sites in Ireland. The presence of these species indicates the importance and condition of the habitat.

The Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve is owned and managed by the NPWS. Recent works there include clearing invasive Cherry Laurel as well as conservation works to the “Octagon”, an iconic viewing point, looking out across the Glen of the Downs glacial valley and towards the Great Sugarloaf. The Octagon is a Protected Structure listed in the Wicklow County Development Plan. A long-term woodland management strategy for the existing Nature Reserve is already at an advanced stage, and will now include a plan to transition the newly acquired lands from commercial forestry to native woodland, including Sessile Oak woodland where suitable. Such opportunity to expand the area of old oak woodland will make this site a high restoration priority and will help to meet Ireland’s targets under the forthcoming Nature Restoration Plan, which is currently being prepared by the NPWS.

The land acquired by the NPWS can be accessed from the Nature Reserve car park on the N11 and via the existing trail network.