Glen of the Downs

Glen of the Downs is a designated Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation located in County Wicklow, Ireland, recognized as perhaps the most important ancient woodland remaining in Ireland. This steep-sided valley contains an exceptional example of native sessile oak woodland on acidic soils, representing a rare surviving fragment of Ireland's prehistoric forest cover. Dr Oliver Rackham of Cambridge University, the world-renowned historical ecologist who originated the international definition of ancient woodland, identified Glen of the Downs as Ireland's most certain example of ancient woodland, lending the site extraordinary scientific and conservation significance.