Invite Issued To Minister For Heritage To Visit Glen Of The Downs.

Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has formally invited the Minister of State for Biodiversity and Heritage, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan, to visit the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve

Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, has formally invited the Minister of State for Biodiversity and Heritage, Minister Christopher O’Sullivan, to visit the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve in County Wicklow.

This invitation underscores the critical need for government support in preserving this ecologically significant area.The Glen of the Downs, a 2km long wooded glacial valley, is a designated Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation, renowned for its rich biodiversity and ancient woodland. The area is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare and threatened species.Towards the end of 2024, nearly 80 hectares of land adjacent to the Glen of the Downs came up for sale, with 40 hectares being forest land. Deputy Whitmore started a petition to call on the Government to purchase this land to expand the Glen of the Downs. The petition garnered over 5,000 signatures from the local community and national environmental groups. Deputy Whitmore presented this petition to the last government. She also spoke to the previous Minister about the potential government purchase of the lands, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service were looking into this last term.