Could a new national park be developed at the Blackstairs Mountains?
A Fianna Fáil TD has asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider the development of a national park at the Blackstairs Mountains in south Leinster.
The Wicklow-Wexford TD, Malcolm Byrne, asked his party colleague, Minister James Browne, to make a statement to the Dáil on the prospect of a potential new national park in the location.
Currently the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manages eight national parks - including Ireland’s latest and largest national park, located in west Kerry - Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara.
The land had an asking price of €10 million, however, it is understood that the state bought the land for around €6 million in 2024.
The state also paid in the region of €11 million in 2023 to acquire Devenish Lands at Dowth, Co. Meath, to develop the Boyne Valley (Brú na Bóinne) National Park.
According to Minister Browne the NPWS does not own or manage any lands within the Blackstairs Mountains.
The minister also told Deputy Byrne that most of the uplands are peatland habitats "held in commonage by local farmers".
"The Blackstairs Mountains Special Area of Conservation (SAC), however, for the protection of the qualifying interest habitats wet heath, dry heath and also a small area of alluvial woodland, does provide a high degree of nature conservation protection and local NPWS staff actively monitor the SAC for potentially damaging activities including illegal fires and scrambler and quad bike use," he added.
According to the Department of the Environment, wet heath occurs in a mosaic with dry heath on some steep slopes and at lower levels where deeper peat has accumulated in the Blackstairs Mountains.
The wet heath is dominated by bog moss, cross-leaved heath and ling heather.
Minister Browne said the Programme for Government recognises "the importance of continuing to support the ongoing expansion and resourcing of our national parks.
"To this end, the NPWS occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes where suitable land at a reasonable price, and providing strategic value to habitat conservation or public access, becomes available.
"Such acquisitions are always carefully considered on a case by case basis and in line with public procurement requirements.
In light of the commercial sensitivity and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I would not comment on any individual site that is offered for sale," the minister added.
