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Vale of Clara

Coordinates: 52°56′31″N 6°14′20″W / 52.942°N 6.239°W / 52.942; -6.239
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Vale of Clara
Vale of Clara is located in Ireland
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 / 52.942°N 6.239°W / 52.942; -6.239
Area545 acres (220.55 ha)
Operated byNational Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)
StatusOpen all year

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.

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. ^ a b 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.