Tuesday 2 January 2007

Minister Roche announces significant new land acquisition at Glendalough for Wicklow Mountains National Park

Mr. Dick Roche TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today (2nd January '07) announced a significant new land acquisition for Wicklow Mountains National Park at Glendalough.

The area in question comprises three plots totalling some 19 hectares (47 acres). The area includes land along the lower lake at Glendalough where the National Parks and Wildlife Service has already provided extensive wheelchair-accessible boardwalking. Importantly, the land includes the area around the famous round tower monastic site and secures access to the National Monument at Our Lady's Church. These lands form part of the classic views of Glendalough and include arguably the most popular and most photographed vantage point for the round tower. The lands also include a section of St Kevin's Road and a number of other monuments such as the Seven Fonts (a large bullaun stone).

Welcoming the acquisition, the Minister said "I am delighted with this acquisition, which will enhance our ability to protect and conserve some of Ireland's most important and best-loved national monuments for posterity. These lands will now become incorporated into Wicklow Mountains National Park, consolidating the land holding around the Lower Lake. I am very proud to have made a second significant acquisition for the National Park this year after the acquisition of some 648 hectares (1,600 acres) at Luggala last March, which joined the two main sections of the National Park for the first time."

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