List of nature reserves in the Republic of Ireland facts for kids

Ireland is a beautiful country with lots of amazing wildlife and special places. To protect these important areas, Ireland has created many nature reserves.

A nature reserve is a special place where nature is kept safe. It's like a protected home for plants, animals, and their habitats. The government decides which areas become nature reserves because they are very important for wildlife. Most of these reserves are owned by the state, but some are looked after by other groups or even private owners.

The first nature reserves in Ireland were set up in 1976. They are managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. All these reserves are also known as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). Some are even more special and are called Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). This means they are important for nature not just in Ireland, but across Europe!

Let's explore some of these amazing nature reserves across Ireland's provinces.

Connacht: Wild West Reserves

Connacht is on the west coast of Ireland, known for its wild landscapes. Here are some of its nature reserves:

• Ballynastaig Wood

* County: Galway * This wood is a state-owned reserve established in 1983. It covers about 9.75 hectares.

• Clochar na gCon/Bealacooan Bog

* County: Galway * This large bog, covering 1247 hectares, became a state reserve in 1999.

• Coole Garryland

* County: Galway * This complex reserve, established in 1983, is state-owned and covers about 363.5 hectares.

• Derryclare

* County: Galway * A smaller state-owned reserve of 19 hectares, established in 1980.

• Derrycrag Wood

* County: Galway * This state-owned wood covers about 110.4 hectares and was established in 1983.

• Leam West Bog

* County: Galway * A state-owned bog covering 373.4 hectares, established in 1991.

• Pollnaknockaun Wood

* County: Galway * This state-owned wood is 38.8 hectares and was established in 1983.

• Rosturra Wood

* County: Galway * A state-owned wood of 17.6 hectares, established in 1983.

• Richmond Esker

* County: Galway * This state-owned reserve is 15.7 hectares and was established in 1985.

• Knockmoyle Sheskin

* County: Mayo * A large state-owned reserve of 1198 hectares, established in 1990.

• Oldhead Wood

* County: Mayo * This state-owned wood covers 17 hectares and was established in 1984.

• Owenboy

* County: Mayo * A state-owned reserve of 397.1 hectares, established in 1986.

• Ballygilgan

* County: Sligo * This state-owned reserve is 29.5 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Easkey Bog

* County: Sligo * A large state-owned bog covering 607 hectares, established in 1990.

Leinster: Eastern Treasures

Leinster is in the east of Ireland, home to the capital city, Dublin. It also has many important nature reserves.

• Baldoyle Estuary

* County: Dublin * This state-owned estuary covers 203 hectares and was established in 1988.

• North Bull Island

* County: Dublin * This famous island has two parts designated as reserves. One part is privately owned (118 hectares) and the other is state-owned (1318 hectares). Both were established in 1988.

• Rogerstown Estuary

* County: Dublin * This state-owned estuary covers 195.5 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Pollardstown Fen

* County: Kildare * This state-owned fen covers 130 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Ballykeeffe Wood

* County: Kilkenny * This state-owned wood covers 55.4 hectares and was established in 1980.

• Fiddown Island

* County: Kilkenny * This state-owned island reserve covers 62.6 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Garryricken

* County: Kilkenny * A state-owned reserve of 27.9 hectares, established in 1980.

• Kyleadohir

* County: Kilkenny * This state-owned reserve covers 58.7 hectares and was established in 1980.

• Coolacurragh Wood

* County: Laois * A state-owned wood of 8.5 hectares, established in 1982.

• Grantstown Wood and Grantstown Lough

* County: Laois * This state-owned reserve covers 48.6 hectares and was established in 1982.

• Timahoe Esker

* County: Laois * This state-owned reserve is 13.5 hectares and was established in 1985.

• Slieve Bloom Mountains

* County: Laois/Offaly * A very large state-owned reserve covering 2300 hectares, established in 1985.

• Clara Bog

* County: Offaly * This state-owned bog covers 460 hectares and was established in 1987.

• Mongan Bog

* County: Offaly * This bog is owned by An Taisce and covers 119 hectares. It was established in 1987.

• Raheenmore Bog

* County: Offaly * A state-owned bog covering 162 hectares, established in 1987.

• Scragh Bog

* County: Westmeath * This state-owned bog covers 22.8 hectares and was established in 1992.

• Ballyteigue Burrow

* County: Wexford * This state-owned burrow covers 227 hectares and was established in 1990.

• The Raven

* County: Wexford * This state-owned reserve covers 589 hectares and was established in 1983.

• Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

* County: Wexford * This reserve is owned by both the state and BirdWatch Ireland. It covers 194 hectares and was established in 1981.

• Deputy's Pass

* County: Wicklow * A state-owned reserve of 47 hectares, established in 1982.

• Glen of the Downs

* County: Wicklow * This state-owned glen covers 59 hectares and was established in 1980.

• Glendalough

* County: Wicklow * This state-owned reserve covers 157 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Glenealo Valley

* County: Wicklow * A large state-owned valley reserve covering 1958 hectares, established in 1988.

• Knocksink Wood

* County: Wicklow * This state-owned wood covers 52.3 hectares and was established in 1994.

• Vale of Clara

* County: Wicklow * This state-owned valley covers 220.57 hectares and was established in 1983.

Munster: Southern Sanctuaries

Munster is the southernmost province of Ireland, with a diverse landscape from coastlines to mountains.

• Ballyteigue

* County: Clare * This state-owned reserve covers 6.4 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Cahermurphy

* County: Clare * A state-owned reserve of 9 hectares, established in 1980.

• Dromore

* County: Clare * This state-owned reserve covers 370 hectares and was established in 1985.

• Keelhilla, Slieve Carron

* County: Clare * This state-owned reserve covers 145.5 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Capel Island and Knockadoon Head

* County: Cork * Parts of this area are privately owned (16.1 hectares) and other parts are state-owned (126.9 hectares). Both were established in 1985.

• Glengarriff Wood

* County: Cork * This state-owned wood covers 301 hectares and was established in 1991.

• Kilcolman Bog

* County: Cork * Parts of this bog are privately owned (21.3 hectares) and other parts are state-owned (29.2 hectares). Both were established in 1993.

• Knockomagh Wood

* County: Cork * This state-owned wood covers 12.5 hectares and was established in 1989.

• Lough Hyne

* County: Cork * This state-owned lough (lake) covers 65 hectares and was established in 1981.

• The Gearagh

* County: Cork * This privately owned reserve covers 300 hectares and was established in 1987.

• Castlemaine Harbour

* County: Kerry * This large state-owned harbour reserve covers 923 hectares and was established in 1990.

• Cummeragh River Bog

* County: Kerry * A state-owned bog covering 45.5 hectares, established in 1994.

• Derrycunnihy Wood

* County: Kerry * This privately owned wood covers 136 hectares and was established in 1989.

• Derrymore Island

* County: Kerry * This privately owned island covers 106.07 hectares and was established in 1989.

• Eirk Bog

* County: Kerry * This state-owned bog covers 16 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Great Skellig

* County: Kerry * This state-owned island covers 22.6 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Little Skellig

* County: Kerry * This privately owned island covers 7.8 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Lough Nambrackdarrig

* County: Kerry * This state-owned lough covers 3.9 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Lough Yganavan

* County: Kerry * This state-owned lough covers 25.3 hectares and was established in 1988.

• Mount Brandon

* County: Kerry * This state-owned mountain area covers 461.75 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Puffin Island

* County: Kerry * Parts of this island are privately owned (53.77 hectares) and other parts are state-owned (32.73 hectares). Both were established in 1987.

• Sheheree Bog

* County: Kerry * This privately owned bog covers 8.9 hectares and was established in 1990.

• Tearaght Island

* County: Kerry * Parts of this island are privately owned (27.5 hectares) and other parts are state-owned (19.1 hectares). Both were established in 1989.

• Tralee Bay

* County: Kerry * This large state-owned bay reserve covers 754.53 hectares and was established in 1989.

• Uragh Wood

* County: Kerry * This state-owned wood covers 87 hectares and was established in 1982.

• Redwood Bog

* County: Tipperary * This state-owned bog covers 132 hectares and was established in 1991.

• Fenor Bog

* County: Waterford * This privately owned bog covers 15.55 hectares and was established in 2004.

Ulster: Northern Nature Spots

Ulster is the northern province of Ireland. Here are some of its nature reserves in the Republic of Ireland.

• Ballyarr Wood

* County: Donegal * This state-owned wood covers 30 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Derkmore Wood

* County: Donegal * A state-owned wood of 8.7 hectares, established in 1988.

• Duntally Wood

* County: Donegal * This state-owned wood covers 15.3 hectares and was established in 1986.

• Lough Barra Bog

* County: Donegal * This state-owned bog covers 176.4 hectares and was established in 1987.

• Meenachullion Bog

* County: Donegal * A state-owned bog covering 194 hectares, established in 1990.

• Pettigo Plateau

* County: Donegal * A large state-owned plateau reserve covering 900 hectares, established in 1984.

• Rathmullen Wood

* County: Donegal * This state-owned wood covers 32.73 hectares and was established in 1986.

See also

• Conservation in the Republic of Ireland
• List of national parks of the Republic of Ireland
• List of Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland