The government has finalised the purchase of almost 5,000 acres of land in Dublin in a move that will extend the Wicklow Mountains National Park.
The state announced yesterday that it had paid €800,000 for the area known as the Featherbeds in the Dublin uplands.
Its purchase means the Wicklow park, the largest of its kind in the country, now exceeds 22,000 hectares (54,300 acres).
The deal, reached between the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and Nama, the state’s bad bank, was described as a bargain.
“The Featherbeds are an important area for nature conservation and for public amenity. Their acquisition at a cost of approximately €163 per acre represents excellent value for the state, not just in terms of value for money but also in terms of the amenity potential, conservational benefits and environmental gains. The purchase underpins the government’s ongoing commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy,” Michael Ring, the minister of state for regional economic development, said.
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“This outcome is the culmination of a constructive engagement between the department and NAMA and addresses a longstanding strategy to align key environmental assets. Approximately €163 per acre represents excellent value for the state, not just in terms of value for money.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service will now work with the Dublin Mountains Partnership, an umbrella body that includes councils and other organisations, to manage the Featherbeds and may open new walking routes.
The land was owned by Liam Maye, the late developer of the Dundrum shopping centre, before it came under Nama’s control.
It is above the Bohernabreena reservoir and runs from Kippure to the Glenasmole valley. Most of it is in a special conservation area, with peaty slopes and a mixture of trees and shrubs.
Nama had reportedly set an asking price of €2.5 million for the site but reduced the price after negotiations with the government.
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Mr Ring said earlier this year that he had visited the Featherbeds and was “shocked and surprised” to see high levels of illegal dumping in what he described as some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.
The Green Party had presented a petition to the government, signed by more than 20,000 people, calling for the area to be retained in public ownership.
Eamon Ryan, Green Party leader, welcomed news of the purchase.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to protect a large area of the Dublin Mountains for the hundreds of thousands of walkers and nature lovers who value the uplands as one of the great things about our capital city, and we’re glad that sense has prevailed,” he said.
The Wicklow Mountains national park attracts more than a million visitors every year and that figure is expected to increase.