What is a Nature Reserve? 

A Nature Reserve is a site that has been deemed as highly important to wildlife. Nature Reserves are protected under Ministerial order and the majority of them within Ireland are owned by the government, but a very small portion are privately owned. Nature Reserves are not National Parks, although can sometimes be confused as such!

Irish Nature Reserves: 

There are over 40 Nature Reserves across 16 counties in Ireland. These reserves contain highly important habitats such as raised, blanket and transition bogs as well as as fens and limestone pavements. For this reason, Irish nature reserves are very unique and have high importance for biodiversity on the island.

Relevant links: 

• http://www.conserveireland.com/snr.php
• https://www.npws.ie/nature-reserves
• http://www.glengarriffnaturereserve.ie/
• http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/OurWork/Reserves/tabid/81/Default.aspx
• http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/heritage/national-parks-wildlife/nature-reserves/