Vale of Clara

Vale of Clara is a national nature reserve of approximately 545 acres (2.21 km2) located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Vale of Clara
Vale of Clara
Location of the Vale of Clara in Ireland
TypeNational
LocationCounty Wicklow
Coordinates52°56′31″N 6°14′20″W
Area545 acres (220.55 ha)
Operated byNational Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
StatusOpen all year

Features

The Vale of Clara was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1983.[1] The Special Area of Conservation, Ballygannon Wood, is contained within the Vale of Clara nature reserve.[2]

The Vale of Clara, sometimes known as Clara Vale Forest,[3] is a fragmented oak woodland set over a large area, with the largest semi-natural woods in County Wicklow. It is possibly the largest native hardwood wood in Ireland. This area has been partially covered in trees since the Ice Age.[4] There is also a variety of hazel, willow, holly, and birch trees as well as bluebells, bilberry, honeysuckle, and wood sorrel. Some of the birds which inhabit the woodlands include buzzards, woodcock, tree-creepers, and redstarts[3] alongside fallow deer.[5]

References
  1. "S.I. No. 374/1983 - Nature Reserve (Vale of Clara) Establishment Order, 1983". electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB). Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  2. "Ballygannon Wood". Coillte. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  3. Davys, Deirdre (30 May 2020). "Go Walk: Clara Vale in Wicklow is a forest to look up to". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  4. "Vale of Clara Nature Reserve". National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  5. "Mammals". Wicklow Mountains National Park. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
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