THE GLEN OF the Downs nature reserve in Co Wicklow is to be expanded after the State purchased over 40 hectares of land adjoining the ancient oak woodland. 

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s National Parks and Wildlife Service made the announcement today, saying it acquired the land to support the country’s nature restoration objectives. 

Established in 1980, the Glen of the Downs was one of the very first nature reserves. It 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 acquisition will see the area increase in size by two thirds from its current 146 acres (59Ha) to 246 acres (100ha) and will see the non-native conifer plantation there replaced with a more biodiverse native woodland. 

The conversion into native woodland over time will involve utilising local seed sources, invasive species controls and techniques such as Continuous Cover Forestry to enable a sensitive transition that protects vulnerable soils.

The Department said 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. 

The government has bought up 40 hectares adjacent to Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in Wicklow, which increases the size of the nature reserve by two thirds to a total of 100 hectares. pic.twitter.com/GW2HQikTxg

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) December 3, 2025

The nature reserve is owned and managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

Recent works there include clearing invasive Cherry Laurel as well as conservation works to the “Octagon”, a protected structure and iconic viewing point looking out across the Glen of the Downs glacial valley and towards the Great Sugarloaf.

The Department said 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.”

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Speaking at the launch in Co Wicklow, Tánaiste Simon Harris described the acquisition as “fantastic news for nature and for the people of Wicklow”.

“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.”

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said the addition of 40 hectares of adjoining lands to the Glen of the Downs “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.”