Glen of the Downs nature reserve in Co Wicklow expands by 68%

The Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in Co Wicklow will expand by 68% following the state's purchase of 100 acres of adjacent land. The newly acquired land, largely a conifer plantation, will be converted to native woodland over approximately a century, replacing Sitka spruce with native trees like oak. This expansion aims to boost biodiversity and restore native habitats, continuing a legacy of conservation efforts in the area, which previously saw protests over road development.