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The information office of the Wicklow Mountains National Park in Glendalough, County Wicklow, Ireland. Author Joe King.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Wicklow Mountains National Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park is a two hundred and five-kilometre square protected area in Ireland. It is one of the six national parks in the country of Ireland.

The park had been proposed for many years. The establishment of the park was announced by Charles Haughey, the Taoiseach in 1988 at Glendalough.

In 1990, an interpretative centre was financed. Then later in 1991, the Wicklow Mountains National Park was officially opened.

Wicklow Mountains National Park stretches through the County of Wicklow. It also stretches into small areas of South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown in County Dublin.

The park is located in the Wicklow Mountains which is a short distance south of Dublin City. Wicklow park also contains a variety of attraction sites that are popular with city dwellers who seek recreation. It also offers areas that tourists and history enthusiasts love.

Some of the recreational activities available at the Wicklow Mountains National Park include walking and hiking, rock climbing, rowing, diving, limited swimming and fishing. Other tourists enjoy the opportunities for sightseeing and photography.

Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Wicklow Mountains National Park:

1. Wicklow Park is Among the Six Major Parks in Ireland

Not all countries in the world have National parks within their territories. Some countries have one park while some do not have any. Ireland has some popular parks that are frequented by visitors from across the world.

The Wicklow Mountains National Park is among the six national parks that are in Ireland. It is among the most visited parks in Ireland because of the adventure and fun activities that tourists enjoy.

2. The Park Stretches through Three Major Towns

Wicklow Mountains National Park, Ireland. Author Brataffe.

Wicklow Mountains National Park is not that big like other parks in different countries. The park covers two hundred and five kilometres square of protected land.

Some of this park area stretches through three major towns in Ireland. It stretches through County Wicklow as well as it goes through South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.

All these areas are located in County Dublin. Wicklow Mountains National Park is located close to the south of Dublin.

3. Wicklow Park has a Historic Glacial Valley

Upper and Lower Lakes of Glendalough Valley in Wicklow Mountains National Park. Author Karie Kuiper

There are several brilliant areas to visit inside Wicklow Mountains National Park. Among these areas is the Glendalough. Glendalough is a chief historic site in Wicklow Mountains National Park.

Glendalough means valley of two lakes which is a glacial valley located within Wicklow Mountains National Park. It is renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin.

It features a collection of the Early Medieval monastic structures. These structures are associated with St Kevin who was a hermit priest.

4. There are Several Other Major Sites in the Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park can be put in the category of historic parks with several sites. The Glendalough site is one of the major sites found within the vast national park.

Other than this chief and historic site in the park, there are many other sites. They include the Education Centre in Bolger’s cottage on Miner’s Road by the Upper Lake. There are also remnants of mining villages within Wicklow Mountains National Park.

5. The Park is Managed by a Government Institute with the Staff having Various Duties

Since its establishment, Wicklow Mountains National Park has been managed by a government institute. It is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

There are several Park staff working at Wicklow Park. They have various roles which they are supposed to fulfil. Some of these roles are being responsible for nature conservation, promotion of research and education, Public safety and facilitation of good relations between the park and surrounding communities.

6. Wicklow Park’s Land Added in Two Different Instances

Lake in the Wicklow Mountains National Park – Ireland. Author Diego cue.

Wicklow Mountains National Park occupies a wide area. After its establishment, there was no need to add more land to belong to the park but as years passed by, there was a need to expand it.

In May 2009, an addition of seven thousand acres (28.33 square kilometres) to the park was made official. Seven years later in 2016, more land was added to the park.

The state purchased an additional four thousand nine hundred acres of the park from a private party. This tract of land stretches from Kippire down to Glenasmole Valley and Bohernabreena Reservoir.

7. Various Recreational Activities are Available in the Park

In other countries, it is not easy to have several recreational activities within a national park as many are reserved for wild animals. Wicklow Mountains National Park is unique.

Various recreational activities are available for tourists and other visitors who come to the park. Some of the available recreational activities include walking and hiking, rock climbing, rowing, diving, swimming and fishing, sightseeing and photography.

8. Motor Tourists have Several Activities to Enjoy in the Park

Sallys Gap viewpoint Wicklow Mountains National Park. Author Jonjobaker.

The management of Wicklow Mountains National Park has reserved various types of activities for all criteria of tourists. Other tourists visit the park in tour vans while others get here on their motors.

The motor tourists also have their unique way to enjoy recreational activities at the park. They can take the R756 road that passes through the Wicklow Gap and enjoy their tour in the park.

The tourists can also enjoy another scenic driving route which follows the historic Military Road. This road is designated R115 from the Dublin Hills south through the centre of the mountains to Laragh village.

9. The Flora in the Park is Unique

The majority of the area in Wicklow Mountains National Park is covered with unique flora. A variety of the habitats in the park ranges from a blanket bog, deciduous woods, coniferous woods, upland grassland, heath and scree.

There are also numerous plant species in Wicklow Mountains National Park. They include bluebells, wood sorrel and wood anemones, woodrush, bracken and various species of mosses. Other trees in the park include holly, hazel and mountain ash.

10. Some Protected Wildlife Live within the Park

Wicklow Mountains National Park has a variety of wildlife. Some of these animals are protected under special programmes.

These wild animals include several species of bats, rare otters and nine threatened or internationally important species of birds. The birds include the hen harrier, peregrine falcon and whooper Swan.