Glenealo Valley

53°00′40″N 6°23′24″W / 53.011°N 6.39°W / 53.011; -6.39Area4,838 acres (19.58 km2)Governing bodyNational Parks and Wildlife Service

Glenealo Valley (Irish: Gleann Abhlach, meaning 'The Valley of the Apple Trees') is a national nature reserve of approximately 4,838 acres (19.58 km2) located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Features

Glenealo Valley was legally protected as a national nature reserve by the Irish government in 1988.[1] The reserve is primarily an open valley set within the Wicklow Mountains, with a large plateau area of peatland and mixed heathland.[2] The area was the site of a former mine, which was closed in the 1950s. A population of feral goats live in the area, descended from the goats the miners left behind in the valley when the mine was abandoned.[3]

The valley forms part of the 10km Spinc and Glenealo Valley Loop walking trail.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ "S.I. No. 69/1988 - Nature Reserve (Glenealo Valley) Establishment Order, 1988". electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB). Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Glenealo Valley Nature Reserve". National Parks & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Woodlands, flora & fauna". www.askaboutireland.ie. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  4. ^ Ó Conghaile, Pól (21 July 2019). "Walking Guide: Glendalough Spinc and Glenealo Valley Loop, Co Wicklow". The Independent. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Is this the best walk in all of Glendalough?". RTÉ Lifestyle. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Geography of County Wicklow
Protected Areas
Special Areas of Conservation
  • Ballyman Glen
  • Bray Head
  • Buckroney-Brittas Dunes and Fen
  • Carriggower Bog
  • Vale of Clara
  • Deputy's Pass
  • Glen of the Downs
  • Holdenstown Bog
  • Knocksink Wood
  • Magherabeg Dunes
  • The Murrough Wetlands
  • Slaney River Valley
  • Wicklow Mountains
  • Wicklow Reef
Special Protection Areas
Nature Reserves
National Parks
Landforms
Beaches
  • Arklow Beach (North and South)
  • Bray Beach
  • Brittas Bay
  • Clogga Beach
  • The Cove
  • Ennereilly Beach
  • Glen Beach
  • Greystones Beach (North and South)
  • Kilcoole Beach
  • Leamore Strand
  • Magheramore Beach
  • Newcastle Beach
  • Porter's Rock Beach
  • Sallymount Bay Beach
  • Silver Strand Beach
  • Travelahawk Beach
Mountains and hills
Valleys and passes
Forests & gardens
Lakes
Rivers
Waterfalls
Hiking Trails