Good news adventurers: Massive expansion announced for Wicklow Mountains National Park

The Wicklow Mountains National Park is due to undergo a massive expansion in the coming years after it was revealed that NAMA are selling a large plot of land to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The park will be expanded by a massive 2,000 hectares between Kippure, which is on the Dublin/Wicklow border, and Glenasmole Valley, which is located in South Dublin. The land was in private hands before it came onto the market for €2.5 million, which led to locals raising their concerns about the prospects of a windfarm could be erected in the area. Minister for Regional Economic Development Michael Ring said that the "acquisition by the State is a sign of our enduring commitment to preserve our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy." The size of the Wicklow Mountains National Park is currently 20,000 hectares, so the addition of the 2,000 hectares sold by NAMA will increase the parks size by 10 per cent. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan welcomed the decision, while also revealing that his party presented a petition to the government to conserve the area when they heard the land was up for sale.

"Once in a lifetime chance to protect a large area of the Dublin Mountains for the hundreds of thousands of walkers and nature lovers who value the uplands as one of the great things about our capital city, and we're glad that sense has prevailed," said Mr Ryan. Mr Ryan added: "Nothing will change immediately with respect to the site, in terms of land access etc, but we now have certainty, and a real opportunity to develop this area into one of the finest attractions in the country."

Good news adventurers: Massive expansion announced for Wicklow Mountains National Park

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