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Minister of State Michael Ring today announced that the Government has reached an agreement to purchase 4,900 acres (or 1,983 hectares) of the Dublin Uplands, in the area known popularly as the Featherbeds. This land will be added to the Wicklow Mountains National Park, expanding the total size of the National Park to 22,000 hectares. Wicklow Mountains National Park was established in 1991 and now comprises large parts of the Wicklow uplands, including blanket bog, heath and upland grassland. It is Ireland’s largest National Park. 

Announcing the acquisition, the Minister said

The Featherbeds are an important area for nature conservation and for public amenity. This a sign of our enduring commitment to preserve our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy. This is the culmination of a constructive engagement between the Department and NAMA and addresses a long-standing strategy to align key environmental assets. I believe an exceptional opportunity has been realised for the State in terms of the environmental gain and the amenity potential. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department will work with Dublin Mountains Partnership to manage this new acquisition. 

93% of the acquired land lies within the Wicklow Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or Special Protection Area (SPA), while it is in very close proximity to the Glenasmole Valley SAC. SACs and SPAs are the most important wildlife and habitat conservation areas in the country, considered to be important on a European as well as Irish level.

For more information read the press release here.