St. Gobnet's Wood facts for kids

St Gobnet's Wood is a special forest in County Cork, Ireland. It is located near the village of Baile Bhuirne. This wood is named after Saint Gobnait, whose old church is also nearby. St Gobnet's Wood is a "protected area" because it is very important for nature.

St Gobnait's Wood is named for Saint Gobnait, whose church lies just south of the wood

St Gobnet's Wood and a nearby area called Cascade Wood are part of a larger protected zone. This zone is known as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). These areas are protected by rules from the European Union. The rules help keep important plants and animals safe.

In 1998, St Gobnet's Wood was suggested as a "Site of Community Importance." This is a step towards becoming a Special Area of Conservation. The National Parks and Wildlife Service said the wood was about 30 hectares (ha) big. A hectare is about the size of a rugby field.

Later, Cascade Wood was found to have special animals. These included different kinds of bats and the Kerry slug. These animals are protected under a set of rules called the Habitats Directive. In 2007, the Irish Environment Minister, John Gormley, suggested making the protected area bigger. This would include Cascade Wood. By 2008, the protected area covered 44 ha on both sides of the main road.

Road Upgrade Impact

A new road was planned near St Gobnet's Wood. This road was meant to be a bypass for the N22 road section between Macroom and Baile Bhuirne. When Cascade Wood became part of the protected area, it was agreed the road should not go through it.

However, finding a new path for the road was difficult. So, the authorities decided to use the original route. This route went through Cascade Wood.

Because of the road, some Kerry slugs were in the way. It was decided to move these slugs to safe places nearby. In 2018, work began to help the environment and move the slugs.